Father’s Day is the perfect day to return the love and care your dad has given you all of your life. From driving you to school as a kid and teaching you how to hang a shelf, to helping you learn how to ride a bike, and picking you up after you fell down, your father (or father figure) has likely always been there for you. If you’re lucky enough to have a supportive, caring and loving father, he’s likely had a major impact on your life, and Father’s Day is a time to honor that and show gratitude.
A source of constant strength, love, inspiration and guidance, our dads have a huge role to play in shaping the person we become – and not just from a genetic perspective. The support and unconditional love our dads give us can help shape us into beautiful human beings.
Father’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to let our dads know just how much they mean to us, and how grateful we are for their love and care. We should all treat our fathers in a special kind of way – especially on Father’s Day, of all days.
If you’re struggling to think of how to treat your father this Father’s Day to show him how much he matters to you, the following ideas could be just the inspiration you’re looking for.
1. Start with a Thoughtfully Written Card
Sometimes it’s hard to find the words to let your dad know how much you care about him, how much his love impacts you, and how much he matters to you. On Father’s Day, you can channel some of the affection and appreciation you feel into a hand-written card. Don’t just grab a card with a poem you think sounds nice and sign your name. Focus on putting your emotions into your own words in the card.
The key is to take your time. Set aside a portion of the day to write in the card before you see your dad to celebrate Father’s Day. Give some thought about what you want to say, or specific things you want to thank him for.
The effort and feeling you put into your card will make a huge difference to your dad, and perhaps be more meaningful to him than any Father’s Day gift you could buy. Some of the best ways to make your card have the biggest impact include writing about:
- Your feelings of gratitude: Thank your dad for specific things he’s done for you, both in the past, and more recently. You even thank him for his impact on the person you’ve become, “Thanks for raising me for being the strong and confident person I am today.”
- The traits about him you love: Highlight the traits that make your father special. Talk about his protective nature, and his ability to always make you feel safe. Discuss how you’ve always loved his passion for cooking, and his compassion towards others.
- How he inspired you: Discuss how your father has inspired you to become the person you are today. Saying “I hope to be half the father you were to my own child” is sure to mean a lot to a great dad.
- Your favorite memories: Reminiscing about a memory you have of your father, such as when he taught you how to drive, or how to shave for the first time, or when he chased off an ex-partner when you needed him to have your back.
2. Cook Your Father a Delicious Meal
Cooking your dad a delicious dinner is a great way to show him how much you care on Father’s Day. A lot of dads spend so much of their time caring for other people in the family, they’ve forgotten how it feels to have something special done for them.
Cooking any meal of the day will be much appreciated, particularly if it’s made with love. A home-cooked meal is a great way to show your pop you remember his favorite foods, and have a good idea of what he likes. It’s also an insight into how independent and skilled he’s helped you to become.
You could even use your knowledge of your dad’s preferences to craft a meal he’s never tried before, from scratch. This could be a great bonding experience for both of you, and a chance for you to give your father a new favorite food. Just make sure you know about any allergies and sensitivities before you begin.
Don’t forget to clean up after dinner, as well. While a delicious meal is a wonderful gift, your dad is sure to appreciate the bonus of not having to do the dishes on his special day after you leave.
3. Spend the Day Doing His Favorite Things
Treating your dad on Father’s Day doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on fancy meals or lavish gifts. Often, what your father wants more than anything else, is to spend some quality time with you. Set aside time in the day where you can spend quality time together doing the things he enjoys most.
If your dad usually spends his fishing trips alone, or goes bird watching without a partner, having you as company is sure to make the experience ten times better. While your dad’s favorite things might not become a new hobby for you, engaging in them with him shows you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make him happy.
Take this moment together as an opportunity to learn more about your father’s passions, and what he loves most in life. You could even do a little research before the big day to make sure you’re as helpful as possible. For instance, if you’re going fishing, make sure to bring along his favorite bait, and if you’re going hiking, pack some of his favorite snacks for the hike.
4. Take Over the Work He Doesn’t Want to Do
Just like all of us, dads have a lot of chores they need to do on a day-to-day basis to keep their household running. These often involve less fun activities such as doing the dishes, the laundry, or even washing the car. One of the best things you can do for your dad on Father’s Day, is give him an opportunity to skip these tasks by doing them for him.
Create a to-do list of things you know your dad hates doing or has procrastinated doing but needs to do (such as getting his car washed) and get those things done for him. Maybe you’ll do a few things for him, such as washing his car, mowing his lawn, and cooking dinner.
Making sure your dad has nothing to think about but rest and relaxation on Father’s Day helps to ensure he gets a much needed break in exchange for all of his efforts the other 364 days of the year.
5. Discover a New Adventure Together
Memories are some of the most wonderful gifts our father gives us, and some of the most amazing presents we can give them in return. So why not find an opportunity to make some new memories he can cherish? The best memories often come from new experiences and adventures, so look for ways to step out of your comfort zone, while focusing on the things your dad enjoys.
For instance, if you know your dad loves boating, you could surprise him on Father’s Day by renting a boat for the day. If your dad loves cooking, arrange for him to take a cooking lesson, with you in tow, so you can learn how to make something amazing together.
If you don’t have much of a budget for your adventure, you’re in luck. The summer months should mean you can plan some great outdoor time together just walking, cycling, kayaking or hiking. Going on an outdoor adventure together will help you to have some crucial bonding time, and it gives you plenty of opportunities to snap photos for a future album.
6. Give Him a Handmade Gift
DIY gifts aren’t just adorable when you’re young. At any age, it shows extra thought and consideration if you make your gift. If you’ve got some extra time on your hands leading up to Father’s Day, you could consider making something special from scratch. A hand-made item will always have a more emotional impact on any parent than something bought in a store, because of the thought involved.
Dads often enjoy seeing how independent and creative their children have become, so crafting something will also give you an opportunity to showcase your new skills. With plenty of tutorials available on YouTube and Pinterest to check out for inspiration, there’s no limit to what you can do. You might make a clock out of a vinyl record, or a beer cozy with your knitting skills.
Perhaps you’ll even make your dad a wine rack, or find a vintage wine rack at a thrift store, and paint it his favorite color.
If you’re not particularly crafty, and you don’t have a lot of time to make something special, you can consider taking a simpler route. Going through your phone to find pictures of you and your dad together and creating a photo album, or a few mugs with photos of you two on them, can be a great way to show how much you treasure your dad.
7. Pamper Him
Days of pampering aren’t just great gifts for mother’s day or the women in your family. Men love being cared for, and enjoy spas and massages, just as much as anyone else. An action-packed day might not be the best way to go for your dad, depending on his preferences or his current state of physical health. He may prefer a good spa day, or a gift certificate to the barber, where he can get his beard and hair trimmed in style.
You could even create a full relaxation day from scratch. Start with a hot tub or sauna session, followed by a massage, a game of golf, or some time relaxing on a boat. Not only will pampering your pop make him feel special, but it’s great for his well-being, too.
A good spa session and some time in nature can be an excellent way to reduce some of the strain and stress building up for your dad over the months. You can help your dad to open his pores, relax, and let go of anything that might have been bothering him by booking him a facial or deep tissue massage.
Bonus Father’s Day Treat: Help Him Learn About Himself
One particularly interesting way to treat your dad this Father’s Day, is to give him a chance to find out more about himself through genetic insights. A DNA test can teach your dad a little more about his potential skills and talents, and other genetic traits of his.
For an even more exciting experience, you could get a DNA test too, and spend your time comparing the things that make you both so similar. After all, half of your DNA comes from your father, so it could be fun to compare DNA insights with your dad.
Whatever you choose to do this Father’s Day, it should be something designed to help your father feel as special and loved as he truly is. After all, your dad is one of the most important people in your life, he deserves to be treated thoughtfully. Anyone can sign their name on a card or wrap a gift, but your dad deserves a thoughtful day on Father’s Day where you go out of your way to make him feel special, preferably all day long.
