The classic trope of buying your dad a toolbox for Father’s Day might not go down too well in 2022. Research from Ring revealed that almost half (41%) of dads do not want to receive a gift that involves having to do more than 15 minutes of DIY this holiday. In addition, home security company Ring has revealed that many dads would rather be treated to a gadget (20%) massage (10%), theatre tickets (14%) or to be taken for a meal out (34%) to thank them this year.
In fact, it's often mums who feel more confident in their DIY abilities, with just one in 20 saying they can’t do any DIY tasks at all, compared to one in 15 dads who feel bereft at the idea of picking up tools around the house.
The research also showed that men don’t feel they have the skills to undertake basic DIY tasks that may have previously and stereotypically been expected of a father figure, with a quarter (26%) saying they couldn’t change a lightbulb, a third (36%) can’t unblock a toilet, and two in five (40%) can’t wire a plug. A further 15% of UK dads say they’ve injured themselves trying to do DIY, while one in ten (10%) have super glued themselves to something by accident - yet more reason why a DIY-based gift might not be the best last-minute present to buy this weekend.
When it comes to honing DIY skills there is a clear shift towards online learning, as home improvement knowledge isn’t being passed down through the generations in the same way it once was. One quarter (25%) of parents say they’ve learned a DIY skill from YouTube, while 16% of Gen Z parents say they have learned how to tackle challenges at home from TikTok. The younger generations are also less confident in their DIY abilities, with over one third (35%) of Gen Z saying they don’t know how to change a lightbulb and an enormous 85% not knowing how to wire a plug.
This Father’s Day, some of the most sought-after gifts are dinner out (34%), gadgets (20%) and theatre tickets (15%), while 13% of dads said the worst gift they could receive are socks. A full list can be found below:
Top 10 most wanted Father’s Day gifts:
- A meal out (34%)
- A gadget (20%)
- Beer or beer making kit (19%)
- Whisky or spirits (19%)
- Clothing (18%)
- Football shirt (18%)
- An experience day (16%)
- Food hamper (16%)
- Framed family photo (16%)
- A book (16%)
Dave Ward, Managing Director, EU & International at Ring said “As a dad myself, I understand a bit of ‘sock fatigue’. It’s always the thought that counts when it comes to getting gifts, but it’s interesting to see the kind of presents that father figures feel are most aligned to their passions. I hope we can inspire those last-minute gift hunters to think about what dads might love - gadgets, meals, photos or even a food hamper. After all, our study found 30% of dads are into cooking! If you’re opting for tech, just make sure it doesn't take ages to install, or require complicated tools - we know that puts dads off. Instead try a useful device that plugs in straight from the box, with no need for lengthy DIY, like Ring's Indoor Cam or Ring Alarm.”
Dave Ward has also provided 5 top tips for anyone who might be doing any DIY this Father’s Day, or in the future:
- Preparation is key - take the time to get everything set up and ensure you know the steps you need to take before you begin
- A tradesperson is only as good as their tools - make sure you have the right ones for the job and kit yourself out before you start. Ask your neighbours if you can borrow anything you don’t have to hand
- Social media channels are a great place to start if you want to see how to tackle a job. Ring has YouTube tutorials for all our products online, and you can find plenty of ‘how to’ guides on social media from YouTube to TikTok
- Give yourself enough time to finish the job and don’t rush it or you’re more likely to make a mistake
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help - speak to family member, friends or neighbours if you need a helping hand, and offer to return the favour!
Hilarious footage of a dog ruining a Ring user’s DIY can be seen here. This footage was captured, to the owners' shock, on one of Ring’s indoor cameras.
