Father's Day is right around the corner, and if you're like us, you might find yourself stumped on what to do to honor the father of your children or even your own dad. But really, it's pretty straightforward and doesn't always have to be about high-ticket gifts.
On Sunday, we will celebrate the dads in our lives, and the best way to do that is by planning a day for them that includes things they actually want to do.
It's time to do away with boring traditions like giving dad a tie (unless that's what he actually really wants) and make the day even more meaningful by keeping it packed with experiences and meaningful treats he'll truly enjoy.
In the end, you know your dad (or your partner) best, so you know how he'd want to be celebrated. But in case you're hitting a wall in that department, these ideas will definitely get you started.
Happy Father's Day!
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To Sleep In
Having kids usually means getting a lot less sleep than you once did — and waking up at an hour you would have once described as "the crack of dawn." Letting dad sleep in, totally unbothered, would be a pretty great Father's Day gift. Who doesn't want the joy of waking up when they decide to?
Take a Nap
Yes, sleeping in and taking a nap are two different things — all parents need to catch up on their sleep, after all. And even though we've seen dad pass out in front of the TV even when he swears he's just resting his eyes almost every day of our lives, he'd still appreciate a guilt-free nap.
A Nice Dinner
Whether that means taking dad out to lunch or cooking his favorite meal at home, there's no father out there who's going to say no to a yummy dinner (especially one he had no part in making himself, if he usually cooks). But if he wants to grill, let the man grill!
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Play Video Games
No matter how old they get, a lot of dads live for playing video games — but dad life doesn't always allow for as much game time as he might want. Father's Day is a good day to leave him alone with his favorite video console — or join him for a few games, if that's what he'd prefer!
Spending Quality Time With the Kids
It all goes by so fast — we have babies and we feel like our lives revolve around them, and then suddenly, they're kids who play sports and go to school and we never see them. If that's the case in your family, what dad might want to do most is actually spend time with his kids — good, solid, quality time.
A Date Night
And on the total opposite end of the spectrum — some time away from the kids might be just what dad needs this year. Everybody's been spending a lot more time at home lately, and there is such a thing as too much togetherness. A date night might be exactly what the doctor ordered.
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A Sweet Card
One of the most meaningful parts of a day like Father's Day or Mother's Day is getting a card — preferably homemade — from our kids, with a drawing and a handwritten message that captures who they are at that point in time. It's these things that money can't buy!
A Break From Chores
Is Father's Day the day that dad's supposed to mow the lawn? Give him this one. Let him off the hook for his usual weekend chores so he can do something fun instead while you pick up the slack, which is something we'd all enjoy as a gift, to be quite honest.
Guilt-Free TV Time
One of the most relaxing things ever is to sit on the couch and watch TV, uninterrupted — and without feeling like you're wasting time when you should be doing 100 other things. Let dad relax, give him some snacks and a drink, and leave him alone (unless he asks you to join him!).
Get Active With Dad
Does dad like to be active? Plan an activity outdoors to do something fun. It could be a round of golf, or a fun walk or a hike — or even something as simple as throwing a ball around in the backyard. Making memories like this is one of the best parts of Father's Day.
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Check Out a Sporting Event
Whether the big game is on Father's Day or you're just buying dad tickets to an upcoming game as his gift this year, tuning in to what he might want involving his favorite sports will win you tons of points. Even better if you join dad at the game and make it a bonding experience.
Give a Homemade Gift
This is especially true for kids who are little and can participate in crafts — something handmade will always blow a gift bought at the store out of the water. There are a million ideas out there on sites like Pinterest to help point you in the right direction (and to save a little money in the process).
A Delicious Dessert
We might think of birthdays as the real time to celebrate with cake, but why not Father's Day, too? Buy or bake dad's favorite dessert, and have it ready for him at the end of the day. Even something simple like cookies or a box of donuts should do the trick.
A Round of Mini Golf
If the little ones in the family would never last on an actual golf course, then why not pack everyone up and head to a mini golf course (or, for older kids, a place like TopGolf). Whether you keep score or not, it's definitely going to make for a fun outing.
Movie Date
Has it been a long time since dad's had a chance to go to the movies? It's a good time to go to the theater! Relaxing in a comfy chair in the air conditioning while eating popcorn and drinking a giant soda? Yeah, that's a good way to celebrate almost any occasion.
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Bring Him a Solid Cup of Coffee
Whether you're brewing it up at home just the way he likes it, or hitting the drive thru at Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, let dad start out the holiday by sipping on a cup of coffee at his leisure, totally unbothered (and then remind him to return the favor when Mother's Day comes back around).
Give Him a Call
If you don't live near your dad or won't be seeing him on Father's Day, don't just send a text — call him (or even better, FaceTime or video chat). Take the time to catch up, just the two of you, even for just a few minutes. There's no way he won't appreciate it!
Family Game Night
Does dad love board games? Then a family game night might just be in order. Stock up on his favorite snacks and treats, and maybe even grab a brand new game he's been wanting to try. Who knows? You might just end up starting a new Father's Day tradition this way.
Take a Camping Trip
Has dad been itching to explore the great outdoors? The weekend of Father's Day could end up being a great time to finally take that camping trip he's been talking about, or even to take a mini road trip to have some fun away from home. Why not go big this year?
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Show Him Some Appreciation
The bottom line: On Father's Day (and every other day, really), dads just want to feel like they're appreciated. The holiday is a good time to make sure that he knows exactly how much you love him and acknowledge all that he does for you — material gifts or not.
