Fun, relaxation, and good food. On Father’s Day, simple is best.
Unfortunately for dads, Father’s Day doesn’t have the juice it really should. Considering we’re one step away from getting a day off work and a parade for Mother’s Day, I think it’s safe to say things are definitely out of balance.
If you have a dad or married a dad, he deserves better than a crappy shirt or another bottle of Drakkar Noir cologne this year. I’m very lucky because my family totally gets it. I just want to make sure everyone else does too.
So here are four very simple steps that will make the day a total success and leave any dad with a smile on his face.
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1. The Father’s Day gift. Get him something he wants, not something he needs. Think of something he’s mentioned lately, but would never splurge for himself. Some general ideas: music, tickets to a game, or something he loved growing up as a kid. If you’re still not sure, do a little homework. Also, don’t break the bank if you’re not flush with cash. There’s nothing worse than opening a gift and then worrying if there’s enough money left to pay the water bill.
2. Let him relax. Take the first half of the day and let him sleep in and just relax. If he wants to watch golf, let him. If he wants to watch Dumb and Dumber for the hundredth time, let him. Maybe he just wants to read the paper and drink coffee without someone climbing all over him, sticking their fingers up his nose, and stealing his socks. This time needs to be kid- and distraction-free. Just let him recharge the batteries a bit and hang. Men need more time to do nothing.
3. Fun with the kids. Plan something with the kids for the second half the day. Don’t plan a day at the zoo because that’s what the kids want to do, actually think of this as his day. Take in a baseball game, hit the beach, or just let him wrestle with them at the park.
4. Make a great meal. You know what his favorite meal is, so go all out on this one day. Capping off a perfect day with a great meal is a great way to say “thanks” to any dad. A cocktail or two wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world either. We’re really very basic creatures. Embrace that.
If you’re thinking to yourself, “well this writer-guy might like all these things, but my hubby loves to spend all day with the kids at the mall on Father’s Day,” you’re wrong. He doesn’t. He’s either trying to spare your feelings or just too much of a wuss to tell you.
Don’t overthink Father’s Day with too many plans or events. The theme has to be: relax, enjoy the family, and have some killer food. There is no reason it shouldn’t be one of the easiest holidays of the year—and the best.
—Photo Terwilliger911/Flickr
sounds like great advice. May be you could reprint before Mother’s Day as advice to all those Good Men out there
I don’t think ANYONE enjoys the mall. Kids or not, lol!