Father’s Day is right around the corner, and many spouses and kids are looking for gift ideas. Why not make their life a little easier by presenting them with a fun, creative, and enjoyable experience coupled with a reason why doing business with you will make dad’s big day a little more special?

 

A fun way to get new and existing customers into your store is to host an event for creative father’s day gifts. Have a “Frame For Dad” event in your store where you invite mom and the kids to come into your store and create one–of–a kind framing projects. Event themes, activities, and ideas are only as limited as your imagination!

 

 

Here are some event ideas to get you started:

 

Host a Kid’s Craft For Dad Day to make father’s day gifts.

Have kids come in and draw/ paint a portrait of their dad that can then be framed. Have a local art teacher at your store who can help with the creative direction and make it fun. Make it really personal – have kids create footprint or fingerprint impression art. Have them make a fingerprint tree – instead of using a ready-made, custom frame it to make it feel special. Offer pre-cut mat that kids can decorate right in the store or take home to decorate. Kids can then return to the store to frame the mat with a favorite family or dad photo.

 

Offer an “I Love You Because” photo session in your store.

Setup a backdrop for families to pose in front of to create a memorable photo. Partner with a local photographer.

 

Don’t forget about the Moms & Spouses: give the chaperons something to do!

Consider hosting a “Taste & Create” event in your shop. Partner with a local winery or a Bottle & Bottega type organization. Let the chaperons taste wine and create  their own frameable masterpieces.

 

 

Tips for hosting your event:

 

• Offer an array of unique custom framing merchandising displays that would appeal to dads (think outside the box). Have some display examples of out-of-the-box framing projects for dad. Here are some examples to get your creative juices following: The Grill Master: Have a framed example that includes a photo of dad at work at the grill along with one of his favorite BBQ tools. The Sports Fanatic: Photos of dad and kids enjoying the game – along with tickets, a caught foul ball or signed jersey. The Fishing Tradition: For the dad who always shed with his father and now his kids, frame a lure with a photo of him and his father fishing, along with a picture of dad fishing with his children – showcasing the tradition. Using displays made up of family photos and sentimental items in a wall display will give customers ideas of what they can get custom framed. When they are in your store, make sure you introduce them to the possibilities!

 

• Free gift wrapping is always handy and welcomed (especially for busy children and spouses limited on time to sneak away to wrap dad’s gift)

 

• Have a raffle at the event and collect contact information for future e-blasts and communication.

 

• Make sure you take photos of the event for your website and social media. Show everyone how fun the event was and use for marketing future events! In-store events are a great way to drive traffic (new and old) to your store. They also enable you to develop a high sense of familiarity with your customers. These events and ideas can be tweaked for any season or occasion, not just for Father’s Day; the reason for the event is completely up to you.