13 Ideas on How to Celebrate Father’s Day: The History of Father’s Day
Fathers’ Day is finally here! It’s high time we celebrate the big, brave men that fathered and nurtured us. Before we go further and talk in-depth on how to celebrate father’s day, let’s give you a little background knowledge behind why we celebrate fathers.
History of Fathers’ Day
Did you know that Father’s Day appeared at the beginning of the 20th century? According to the story, it was a young American girl by the name of Sonora Smart Dood who proposed that we celebrate fathers as we did for mothers, following a sermon given in church. At the time, she chose to have it on the 5th of June which was her father’s birthday, but instead, Spokane Ministerial Association and the YMCA, Washington chose to have it on the third Sunday of June. She wanted to show her father gratitude for raising her and her five brothers after their mother died after giving birth to the youngest child. It was not until 1966 that President Johnson proclaimed Fathers’ Day to be held every third Sunday in June.
Although it is celebrated in several countries of the world, we do not pay homage to dads on the same date everywhere. In Luxembourg, for example, it’s Father’s Day in October. Some other countries celebrate it in the months of March, May, or August.
In this article, we’ll be giving suggestions on how to turn this special day into a special celebration, giving your father a day that shows him how special he is to you!
To celebrate Father’s Day, you will essentially need to know what your father likes and what will make his day more enjoyable. All fathers are different, and you must understand what he would like to do. That’s the first step. This can mean planning a nice day full of activities or simply doing all the household chores your dad prefers to do. Things like mowing the lawn, polishing his shoes, tidying up in his workshop, cleaning his car, etc. Choose activities that take him time on a daily basis. Also plan to do at least one activity with your father that he enjoys. Maybe he likes to fish, play poker, board games, or even watch a particular program on TV. Whatever it is, ensure you do it with him.
2. Involve Others
If you have brothers and sisters, you can get them involved in planning a great Father’s Day for your dad. This collaboration will make this celebration even more special. If you don’t have brothers and sisters, you can also ask your mother or grandparents to help you.
For example, you could get together and write a song that you can sing to him, or create a card together. You can allocate part of the day under the responsibility of each brother or sister. For example, you are responsible for making him his favorite breakfast, one of your siblings can prepare his favorite snacks for him, and another brother or sister may be responsible for performing a task for him.
You could also take this opportunity to reunite your family for a day of fun. Consider including all the dads in your family, not just your own father. Your party can include husbands, who may be future dads, uncles, and brothers. If possible, do it: the more, the merrier, and that equals more laughter! And don’t forget stepfathers too. You don’t necessarily have to stay at home too. You can go to the beach, to a local park or to your father’s favorite place!
3. Organize a Party or an Outing
If your father doesn’t like receiving gifts too much, but just enjoys spending time with his family, plan an activity where he can spend time with family and loved ones. For example, if your father likes to grill, you can get everything you need for a backyard barbecue and invite some of his friends.
If your father enjoys fishing, you can plan a fishing day together with you or your whole family. Before doing all that though, make sure your father is ready for this little celebration. You would not want to organize a whole party to find out that your dad wanted to spend Father’s Day resting quietly.
4. Let Him Sleep
If your father likes to sleep, but he can’t take time for a nap or a good morning sleep in normal times, then give him that pleasure today. Don’t make too much noise and let him sleep for as long as he wants, then start the celebration as soon as he’s ready. If you plan to bring him breakfast in bed, you can let him sleep for a few hours more than usual.
5. Wish Him a Happy Father’s Day
It may sound obvious, but don’t forget to recognize that it’s his day. When you see him in the morning, say enthusiastically, “Happy Father’s Day, Dad!” and don’t forget to hug him. It is good to do this first thing in the morning, so your father will know that you have not forgotten and will see that you are dedicated to celebrating him.
6. Ask Him What He Wants to Do
In the morning, ask him how he feels and what he wants to do today. Try to respect your father’s wishes even if you have a whole list of ideas for the day. If your father wants to spend a quieter day contrary to what he said a few days ago, in this case, let him do it, and do not show him that you are disappointed, even if you are.
7. Make It a Happy Father’s Day Indeed
Be present and attentive to him throughout the day. The gifts are great, but showing your love and reassuring your dad by telling him that you are proud of him and that you thank him for all that he has done for you, are perhaps the most important factors to spend a successful father’s day.
8. Talk to Your Father
It is simple, but it should not be forgotten because, in everyday life, it is easy to miss these moments. Take time to talk to him and listen to him during Father’s Day. Talk to him about things that happen at school or things that happen in your life. Ask your father how he is, or ask him to tell him some of his best memories. Try to avoid subjects that could cause an argument or reproach.
9. Create a Photo Slideshow
Make a slideshow with many photos of your father. It can be photos of his past, when he was young, photos of the whole family, photos of him and you, as well as funny photos. Viewing photos with your father can be a great way to share your memories together. If your photos are in photo albums; you can watch the albums together. This could be particularly helpful if you do not have a close relationship with your father. Viewing photos together can help start conversations.
If he doesn’t talk much about his life, consider recording his voice or taking notes while you talk about the good old days or old photographs. That would make a wonderful gift someday.
10. Give him a Creative Gift
Typically, fathers do not receive gifts just for the sake of it. This is the perfect occasion to do that! When it comes to making gifts for Father’s Day, they’re often geared toward traditional store-bought gifts like ties and socks. Mother’s Day is the one people tend to put more effort in. Don’t do that. Try to think of something that he will not buy himself. Expensive or typical gifts are not necessary, but the time and effort spent to create a personalized tribute will be greatly appreciated. Let your own creative abilities shine and do something special, like;
- Prepare a cake.
- Make a gift basket. Fill it with candy, homemade cookies, crossword puzzles, or other puzzles you have created yourself, handcrafted items, etc.
- Write a poem and recite it.
- Give him a custom family portrait.
- Get him a gift card to his favorite store.
- Write a song and sing it.
- You can list many things that your father taught you to do (play football, ride a bicycle, life values, etc.) and then write them down and turn them into a book. You can create this book online or just do it yourself with your computer. You can also paste photos of you and your dad in this book.
- You can decide to be thoughtful and give him one thing he has been craving for a long time. It could be as small as an engraved pocket knife, and as big as a plane ticket to watch his favorite club play.
11. Tell Him You Love Him
Being a father is hard work. If you have organized a party, you can toast to everyone, which expresses your love and admiration for your father. If you don’t have a party, you can just tell him when the two of you are alone.
Say it with your words. Although you can just say, “Thank you for being a good father,” you can also take the time to think about something more thoughtful. For example, you can think of the things that your father has done for you in recent years that have meant so much to you. For example, “In the past year, you have done a lot to keep me healthy and happy. I know I don’t say it often enough, but thank you for all of that. I wanted to tell you that I love you and that you are the best father ever.”
12. Prepare Him a Good Meal
If you know his favorite dish, consider cooking it for him on Father’s Day. You can also make him his favorite dessert. For example, if he likes chocolate chip cookies, you can make them for him. If your father really likes to cook, you can prepare a meal with him.
13. Recognize His Efforts
Compliments and words of recognition are not things most fathers get every day. So, it will go a long way if you make this day extra special by pointing out the little and big things he has done, that has totally changed your life. A card, letter, or short speech that expresses your love will always be appreciated by your father. Giving the dad a sincere speech or a card of true words of love at the dinner table or at another time when the whole family is reunited (the brothers and sisters in particular), will make it a poignant moment.
At the end of the day, the most important ingredient for making this special day worthwhile is sincerity. You must remain present and attentive. If you do not have gifts, that’s fine. What you need to do is to show him your love.
For many fathers, the most rewarding part of being a father is being loved by your children, regardless of age.
P.S. If Your Father is Late
Unfortunately, death is an inevitable part of being human. If at some point in your life, you lost your father, consider doing some of these things in his memory. You can still celebrate his legacy and everything he stood for. Take out time to do the things you know he would have loved to do.
Also, you can consider celebrating the other father figures in your life. It could be an uncle, a friend, or even a mentor. Whatever you do, continue to celebrate his life with an assurance that he’s doing great wherever he is.
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