When I think of Father’s Day, I usually think of breakfasts in bed, handmade cards from the kids, and ties that Dad will probably wear once or twice . . . or maybe not at all. It’s difficult to find the perfect Father’s Day gift or to think of the ideal activities that Dad will love on his special day. But what are some things that you can do to make it great? What do dads really want? Well, I’ve asked several dads these questions, and they’ve said that whether it’s their first Father’s Day or their 10th, these are some things they would love.
1. The Gift of Praise and Thanks
All dads want to feel appreciated. They want to know their families recognize and appreciate their hard work and love. Make it a point to tell him just how much you love him and are grateful for everything he does for your family on Father’s Day. You could do that by writing him a thank-you letter explaining how you love how he contributes to your family, how much his support as a partner and father means to you, and why you are grateful to have him as your companion through life and parenting. If writing is not your strength, consider making a short family video for him. I love the idea of a video because that is a souvenir he will love watching for years. Don’t worry about your gift costing a lot of money; dads say the greatest gift is the gift of gratitude and love on Father’s Day.
2. The Gift of Relaxation
Gratitude and praise might be the greatest gift, but almost every dad I spoke with said they want Father’s Day to be relaxing and have some time away from the kids. We all know that having some “me” time can be difficult once your little one joins the world. Yes, your partner probably gets a lot more “me” time than you do, but remember, it’s his day! Of course, spend the morning showering Dad with your gifts, hugs, and kisses, but after showering him with gratitude, take the kids on a walk or get ice cream or something and let Dad veg and relax.
3. The Gift of Sleep
As parents, we all know that sleep is hard to come by, especially if you are a new parent. Sleeping in on weekends is a thing of the past, so give him the gift of sleep on Father’s Day. Let him sleep in and lounge around in bed for as long as he wants. More than likely, your man is working hard all week (as are you!) to provide for your family, and he probably misses being able to sleep in on the weekends. If you let him sleep uninterrupted, that will be his favorite way to start the day.
4. The Gift of No Responsibilities
Along with the gift of relaxation, dads really don’t want to have any major responsibilities on Father’s Day. Give him a pass if he typically has chores like washing the dishes, taking out the trash, watching the kids, running errands, etc. Father’s Day is his day, so let him feel pampered and take over his responsibilities, or let them wait.
5. The Gift of Quality Time
Dads want some “me” time away from the kids, but it is Father’s Day, so of course, they want to have some time to spend together as a family. You could go on a walk or a bike ride together or plan a picnic. You could lie in a hammock or build a fire, make s’mores, and share stories, dreams, and love for the man beside you. That’s a day he will never forget.
6. The Gift of a Good Meal
The saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” is true. On Father’s Day, prepare his favorite meal with his favorite beverage. Whether that’s waffles and a pound of extra crispy bacon, a steak, and beer, or his mother’s famous spaghetti sauce recipe, serve it with a smile because we know it will warm his heart.
7. The Gift of Romance
Father’s Day is not just a day to celebrate Dad as a provider and caregiver. It’s also a day to honor your partner as your lover and friend. Make him feel the love by telling him how much he means to you, dressing up (or down) for him, or treating him to a massage. Give him a sexy surprise in the morning or right before bed, and steal a few moments during the day to remind him just how much you love him.
8. The Gift of Keepsakes
It may seem overdone, but have “the kids” make him something special. “The best gifts are the ones that my children make,” one father said. If your little one is too young to make something, you could always make him a calendar, cellphone case, coffee mug, serving platter, you name it, with the baby’s picture, handprints, etc. You may think he will never use it, but they usually proudly display them.
