MANILA - Who says you need loads of money to make Father's Day special? In these hard times, extravagant treats are usually impractical and, at times, unnecessary.

We asked several users on Facebook to share ideas on how to celebrate Father's Day on a budget, and here's what they said:

1. "If your father loves videoke or karaoke, go to Quantum videoke booths in SM malls and let your father sing his heart out! Tokens usually go for P6 in the provinces to about P12 in Metro Manila. Or tell mom to cook dad's favorite meal and ask the siblings to take their dinner out, so that your parents can at least have a special dinner together." --Earl Montalbo, software engineer.

2. "You can print out some of the random shots of your father that you took with your camera phone and collate into a mosaic. Or a back massage will do." --Patrick Mariano, nurse.

3. "If you and your siblings know how to cook, why not have a cook-out at the house? With or without a lawn, make some barbecue or anything. Besides, it's a family day and you control spending because it's at the house. Or bring him to a 'dampa' place where you can buy seafood and have these cooked your way." --Kriska Atanacio.

4. "Organize his dirty closet, which means having to fold, sort, and iron his clothes. Add some finishing touches by spraying his favorite scent or some sort of freshener. Or maybe just put a note saying how much you appreciate him." -- Henry Igid, medical student.

5. "If I'm on a budget, I'll definitely buy my Dad a book like the "No Asshoe Rule" by Robert Sutton. It'll help every dad to combat stress and [annoying] people in the workplace. But if it's sobrang taghirap, I might clean his car for a whole week, pluck his 'uban' or white hair, and cook his favorite food." --Miki Espe, writer.

6. "If I don't have money, I could say "I love you" na lang. If on a budget, I'll buy him a CD with an "I love you na din." Since my Dad is not in the Philippines right now, I'd settle for a long webcam conversation, punctuated with awkward smiles." --Agatha Dacanay, interior design student.

7. "For pops who have huge beer bellies, you can make them a 'magic potion' using ubiquitous and non-expensive raw materials. Wash some saluyot leaves, put some ginger and a little bit of lemon or lime, and mix into a blender until everything is purely liquid. Serve it chilled. This will wash away the toxins in the stomach, lowers cholesterol, and stabilizes blood pressure." --Jonar Magan Morales, in marketing and networking.

8. "You can bring your dad to free events. For example, there's a free concert by the University of the Philippines Jazz Ensemble at the Power Plant Mall on June 21 (Father's Day). You can just bring your dad by and watch." -- Mark, athlete.

9. "Offer to dye his hair black. You could also look for rare, intelligent books at Diplomat or Book Sale. My Dad is into organic food so I could probably fix him a salad and then watch his most treasured Bob Dylan and Arthur Rubinstein DVDs with him." --Monica Macansantos, college instructor.

10. "I will just greet him and give him a simple gift. If I really don't have money for a gift, then I won't give one. Maiintindihan naman niya siguro iyon ano." --Patty, in media.