Fathers' Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It is a day set aside to honor fathers everywhere, whether they are the new father of a baby who is too young to say thank you by themselves, the proud patriarch of a young family, or the father of grown children who has flown the nest but still chooses to remember him on that day. Whether he is a foster or adoptive father, a stepfather, or simply a beloved father figure, a dad, a Daddy, or a father, this is the day to show him how much he means.
Fathers' Day was first celebrated in the US in 1910 when a woman named Sonora Dodd decided that fathers should be shown the same appreciation as mothers, who had been officially celebrated in the US on Mothers' Day since 1870. The tradition on which Mother's Day was based could be traced back to ancient Greece, with Mothering Sunday having been used as an opportunity to give gifts and a break from work for mothers in Europe since the 16th century. Mothers had traditionally been the main caregivers, looking after the family and taking care of the home.
They were often underappreciated and hard-worked, as demonstrated by the proverb "a woman's work is never done." Mrs. Dodd believed that her father deserved the same show of appreciation, having raised six children alone.
Although Father's Day was often seen as less important than Mother's Day and considered by some to be just a commercial enterprise, the changing role of the father in family life means that they are equally deserving of a show of appreciation as our mothers. Fathers are no longer the stern head of the family who goes out to work and rarely spends any time with their children.
Father's Day is a chance to thank your father for everything he has done for you. Giving him a card and a gift basket is a great way of doing this, particularly when you can't be there in person while taking over the chores, or giving him breakfast in bed can be a way of getting him to relax when you do share the same home.
Let him take the day off and treat himself for once. For many people, Father's Day is an important chance to set aside some time to spend with their father, whether this means having a special meal together or taking him out for the day. Not everyone can make it on the day, but sending a card or calling him up can let him know that you are thinking of him. If you are having trouble finding something, or you live too far away to deliver it in person, then the internet can offer some more options.
Everyone enjoys getting a surprise delivery, and unwrapping the parcel to discover something wonderful inside. One thing that confuses many people who are writing their cards is how exactly the day should be written.
Where does the apostrophe go? "Fathers" is just the plural of father, "Father's Day" means the day belonging to a particular father, and "Fathers' Day" means the day belonging to fathers in general. Father's Day is probably the most common spelling, although Fathers' Day may be more technically correct. Ultimately though, unless your dad is a pedant when it comes to grammar, he is likely to be too happy with his gift to worry about apostrophes. You can surprise your father on that day with breakfast in bed.
You can ask for help from your mother or siblings to prepare your father's favorite breakfast foods. Be sure not to make too much noise when you're preparing breakfast, or you'll wake your father up, and that would certainly ruin the surprise. You can also add in a Father’s Day card and some Father’s Day sweets.
On that day you can organize a small party in the house. It doesn't have to be a fancy one; just a small party with everybody in the family attending. You can prepare a program or a little show for him. You may have a song or dance number with your little siblings. In addition, you may even prepare some finger foods or some drinks too; and not definitely non-alcoholic for the young ones. At the end of the party give the Father’s Day sweets to him. On Father’s Day, don't let your father do some house works. If he heads to his workroom or garage, prevent him! Ask what he's planning to do and if you can handle it do it for him instead. Treat him like a king on this very special day. Spend more time with him. Most days of the week he is out working his butt off for the family. Dedicate the entire Sunday to spending time with him. Watch his favorite sports with him, ask him to tell you stories, or tell him yours instead.
Before you call it a day, give him a big hug and some sweets. Another good way to celebrate this special day is to prepare a Father’s Day dinner. Prepare your father's favorite foods. If you don't know how to cook, ask your mother to help or dial in the delivery number of his favorite restaurant. Always make sure that everybody is present at the table. Have fun, talk, and enjoy! Give him some Father’s Day sweets for dessert.