Without Father’s Day there would be no tacky ties; no sales on golf pants or fishing vests; and no mad rush to find the perfect cut of barbecue beef. For better or worse, all those things still exist and Dad still mostly loves them, but pops had to fight a lot harder for a celebration than his better half.

Sonora Dodd, the daughter of a widowed Civil War veteran, heard a sermon about Mother’s Day and organized the first official Father’s Day celebration in 1910. Local boys wore roses to church and Dodd distributed gifts to fathers around town. But it was 1972 before former President Richard Nixon finally signed Father’s Day into law.

That makes this June 20 the 100th anniversary of Father’s Day. Help your pappy celebrate and impress him with a trait both of you share, from a slightly bent nose to a bent for financial economy. Here are 12 freebies, deals and DIY ideas to make this Father’s Day frugal and fun.

As always, check to make sure your local outlet is participating in these promotions.

FREEBIES

1. Lowe’s Kobalt Knife Giveaway
It begins when we’re boys and lasts till we’re dads. Men of all ages are fascinated by sharp objects. What better way to fuel that fascination than with a free Kobalt lock-back utility knife from Lowe’s? Go to the “secret” giveaway page, enter the code 0316 and print a coupon redeemable at your local Lowe’s outlet. The hardware store is only giving away 20,000 nationally, so act fast.

Father’s Day Fact: Who loves ya, daddy? Americans spent an estimated $9.4 billion on Father’s Day gifts in 2009.

2. The Counter Custom Built Burgers
This California-based burger bar is making a BFD about Father’s Day. Take pops to dinner at one of their 22 locations nationwide and request the Burger For Dad (BFD) to receive a free standard burger. Remember: There’s no deal unless he says, “I want the BFD.”

Father’s Day Fact: Nearly $2 billion was spent on Father’s Day outings last year, including dinners and sports events. Not far behind were clothing ($1.3 billion), gift cards ($1.2 billion) and electronics ($1 billion). Really? That much on ties and man-flick DVDs?

3. Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores
Finding a way to involve younger kids in Father’s Day can be a bit tricky, especially when Dad is getting attention from Mom, sisters, brothers, the dog and even random people on the street. Jo-Ann Fabric outlets will host a free card-making day specially tailored to children on June 19. Visit a location in your city from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and employees will help your child craft a gift that will delight Dad. A wobbly line here and a glob of glue there stand out more than a bland, store-bought card.

Father’s Day Fact: Surprisingly, only $317 million was spent on car-care and automotive-supply gifts in 2009. But then again, even a grease monkey might prefer a simple yet heartfelt card. Over twice as much ($752 million) went toward greeting cards.

4. TCBY
The frozen-yogurt chain has long supported Father’s Day with special freebies. This year’s TCBY gift is a free cup or cone of frozen yogurt. They have all the flavors you would expect at an ice-cream shop.

Father’s Day Fact: You don’t have to possess ovaries to enjoy this ice-cream alternative, as evidenced by Dannon’s ads featuring brawny construction workers digging into tiny yogurt cups with all the gusto men tend to reserve for a T-bone steak.

5. Recreation Centers and Theme Parks
If you have an active family and Father’s Day weather turns out especially beautiful, visit your local recreation center. Guys tend to enjoy interactive outings and some centers offer free admission for dads on Sunday. Call ahead to your local YMCA, health club or swimming pool for special deals.

Father’s Day Fact: Estimated average spending for Father’s Day dropped nearly $4 in the last year, hovering at around $90.89. Sounds like the whole nation is jumping on the freebie wagon — not a bad place to be.

6. Entertainment Parks
On Sunday, Six Flags season-pass holders can bring Dad free with three other friends or family members.

Other parks also offer Dad’s Day deals. Pop gets in free to Wisconsin’s Noah’s Park, the largest water park in the U.S., with the purchase of a child’s ticket. Season pass holders to Knott’s Berry Farm can “bring a friend,” a.k.a Dad for just $9.99. (Regular admission is $53.99 to $44.99 for adults.)

Father’s Day Fact: Father’s Day is the fifth most popular card-sending holiday, behind Mother’s Day and Christmas.

7. Michael’s Craft Store
“The Knack” is a special program designed for creative children and sponsored by Michael’s through June 19. This hands-on program includes six separate craft events for kids under age 12. Some require a purchase of a coffee mug or picture frame, but the make-a-card and duct-tape wallet night are complimentary. Be sure to arrive early as the program ends when supplies run out.

You must be a member of The Knack program to participate in family events, but registration is free and your membership never expires.

Father’s Day Fact: An estimated 1.7 million single-parent fathers make up 15 percent of all single-family homes.

DEALS

8. 6pm.com Father’s Day Sale
You’ll find some of the best sales this year online, but that doesn’t mean going cheap. The Internet merchant 6pm.com offers discounts of up to 75 percent on a respectable selection of name-brand clothing. Search through six categories of dad-specific merchandise, from “The Jet-Setter Dad,” with briefcases and luggage, to “The Sports Dad,” with athletic shoes and sports watches. Many oldies-but-goodies, including wallets, belts and — yes — ties are available for less than $50 through June 20.

Father’s Day Fact: Nearly 40 percent of Americans who shopped for Father’s Day gifts did so at a discount store. Almost 18 percent did so online.

9. IHOP “I Heart Dad” Contest
Maybe some father’s can resist pancakes, but not many. Although IHOP isn’t offering a deal specific to Father’s Day, the chain is asking children across the nation to tell them in 200 words or less exactly why they “heart” daddy. IHOP is accepting submissions through June 20 and five winners will receive a $100 gift card to the restaurant. Buy dad a $25 gift card and IHOP will tack on an additional $5. The extra dough has to be redeemed by July 11.

Father’s Day Fact: Over half of all people buy gifts exclusively for a father or stepfather, while only 5 percent shop for a grandfather or brother. That doesn’t seem fair.

DIY IDEAS

10. Homemade BBQ and Grilling Recipes
Call it intuition, but Sonora Dodd was on the right track when she decided Father’s Day should be a summer holiday. Barbecuing and dad go together like a tangy rub and a rack of ribs. Even if your backyard chef already makes his own sauces, rubs and marinades, trying a new homemade flavor will switch things up. My favorite website, AllRecipes.com, discusses flavor combinations so Dad can perfectly match recipes to his favorite meats.

Dads with a sweet tooth can add a little cinnamon sugar to the sauce. Is he a fire-breather? Chop in some fresh jalapeno.

To add a final personal touch, print off retro daddy-o labels to identify Dad’s special brand.

Father’s Day Fact: Around 76 million Americans barbecued in 2009. You could call Father’s Day a “gateway” to summertime grilling.

11. Start a “Dream Fund”
Help Dad save for pricey items like a flat-screen TV, parts to rebuild a special car, supplies for a home-brewing kit. He might not talk about it much, but such goals are hard to meet. Give Dad that extra little push by starting a “dream fund.” Initiate a separate bank account or stock a jar on the kitchen counter with cash.

This fund is especially exciting for younger children because they can actively contribute. They may only have pennies to give, but the satisfaction of helping the family is a gift in itself.

Father’s Day Fact: 30.2 million fathers live with children under age 18.

12. Make Ice Cream
Whether he yelps, howls, hollers or screams for ice cream, the chilly sweet stuff is a perfect treat for Father’s Day. Dump the carton and opt for a handmade recipe from Kaboose. You don’t need a fancy churn or even many ingredients to create a treat dad will want to make again and again. Just don’t let him eat it too much, though, otherwise next year you’ll be buying a treadmill.

Father’s Day Fact: More ice cream is sold on Sunday than any other day of the week, with each American consuming a yearly average of 23.2 quarts of frozen dairy products.

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