Dads are being short changed when it comes to gifts, new sales figures from retailer Debenhams reveal.

Kids are spending on average £4 less on Father’s day gifts than they were last year, in 2012 the average spend for gifts was £16 and this has now dropped to a measly £12.

However, whilst Dads are still getting a rough deal, the retailer has seen a 7% increase in people buying Father’s day gifts compared to last year but are just being more thrifty.

Mums are still coming out on top; with the average spend for a Mother’s Day gift this year coming in at a generous £21.

Says Disa Blackburn, Head of Gift Buying at Debenhams; “It seems poor Dads are getting a raw deal when it comes to Father’s Day gifts and the gap in spending is only get bigger.”

“After years of Dad duties, such as being a living, breathing cash point and a 24 hour taxi service it’s time we make an effort at making our fathers feel special.”

“Dads are notoriously hard to buy for and our research shows that this is often the reason why they are forgotten – Mum’s on the other hand have a much more diverse range of gift options.”

Debenhams personal shoppers are offering complimentary Father’s day gift consultations and aim to give customers a helping hand when it comes to choosing the perfect present for their Dads.

It seems sons are the biggest culprit for not showing appreciation for their Dads, the survey revealed that men were much more likely to buy a Mother’s day present than they were to buy a Father’s day present, with 27% saying they bought a father’s day present vs. 53% for a Mother’s Day gift.

Women seem to be fairer when treating their parents, 56% buy Father’s Day gifts and 61% of women will buy a Mother’s Day present.

Topping the list of Father’s day gifts this year are:

1. Socks.

2. Slippers.

3. Pyjamas.

4. Aftershave.

5. Leather goods; wallets, belts etc.

Debenhams has also seen geographical trends in Father’s Day gift spending. People in the North of England are three times more likely to buy a Father’s Day gift than the south, and the average gift spend is much higher at £19. Hull has come out on top as having the biggest spenders.

Disa Blackburn continues; “We are predicting we’ll see a splurge of generous Father’s day shoppers this weekend, all Dad’s deserve a treat after all.”

Debenhams men’s gifting is available in all stores nationwide and online at Debenhams.com.