Women often bemoan how hard it is to find gifts for men. Shopping for dads, husbands and brothers is often much harder than shopping for mom, sis, and friends. But a recent survey uncovered a surprising secret.

Men like handmade items as gifts!

According to the annual Discover(R) Card Father’s Day Shopping Survey, fathers rated handmade gifts positively and said they look forward to receiving handmade gifts more than tools, CDs, electronics, and other items.

Men, and especially dads, know the value of time – and some even pride themselves on this knowledge, reminding the younger generation not to be too wasteful. They’ve worked long hours, or still do. They know how hard it is to take time from a busy day and make something just for them. They might feel that no one pays much attention to them, but a handmade item is a pleasant reminder that their family actually does think about them quite a lot.

Dads often also know the cost of items. They know how much the latest tool costs or the price of an electronic gadget they thought about getting for themselves. But dads might want their kids to be smart with their money and not spend it on unnecessary things. Making something for Dad circumvents that problem, allowing the giver to spend less money and still give a gift that will be appreciated. A t-shirt you make with the words “World’s Greatest Dad” is better than one you buy that says that. One with a saying unique to your family is even better.

Many women do enjoy making things for the house, for other people, and as gifts. But they might assume that the man in their life would not be as appreciative of receiving a handmade gift. If you are someone who is often making things, but have been shy about giving a handmade gift to your husband, father, brother, or son, you might be surprised to find out how creative they think you are and how much they admire your talent. If you make something for them, it can also show that you took time out from making things for others and made something just for them. Again, the handmade item shows that you thought solely of them when you made it.

Men are just as appreciative as women are of gifts that are handmade with love.