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Come June, and we are ready to celebrate fathers and fatherhood. To make this special day extra special, we have some great ideas for you, ideas that can make your bond with your father even more special.
Why Do We Celebrate Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is celebrated to honour and celebrate the men who have taken on the role of fatherhood. On this day, we thank fathers and father figures like uncles and grandfathers for all they do for their children and families. It is to celebrate the love, devotion and sacrifices they make for their loved ones.
When is Father’s Day 2023?
Father’s Day is celebrated every year on the third Sunday of June in several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and India. This year these countries will celebrate the day on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
However, many countries also celebrate this day at other times of the year. For instance, in Australia, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September; in Norway, Sweden and Finland, it is celebrated on the second Sunday of November and in some Catholic countries on March 19.
Father’s Day Ideas
This year this day falls a few days before the summer solstice (June 21, 2023), making it the perfect time to kick off the summer season with father-focused activities like a barbeque, camping trip, beach day or some other outdoor activity.
Camping – You could go camping with your dad, just the two of you! Enjoy a night under the stars, chatting, gazing, or catching up!
Cooking– If cooking is your thing, why not cook your favourite meal? Step outdoors in the backyard and grill away! Fishing could be another great way to spend time with each other, have conversations, and get close.
Hiking– If you live somewhere with great hiking trails, just put on your hiking gear and pick an excellent trail.
Playing your favourite sport– You could spend time playing tennis/squash or organising a cricket match with your dad’s friends! And if you and your dad are avid golfers, head out to the greens.
Who Invented Father’s Day?
Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day also finds its origin in America. The first known Father’s Day service occurred in Fairmont, West Virginia, on July 5, 1908, after hundreds of men died in the worst mining accident in US history. The Sunday service happened because of the efforts of Grace Golden Clayton, the daughter of a dedicated reverend.
While missing her dad, who had died in the mining explosion, Mrs Clayton wanted to honour the many fathers who had died in the blast, killing more than 360 men and boys and leaving about 1000 children fatherless. Although the Fairmont service was the first known to honour fathers, it did not become an annual event.
Father’s Day Picks Up
As time passed, many other people across the country had similar ideas. Still, it was Sonora Smart Dodd who decided to popularise this day, starting events that led to Father’s Day becoming a national holiday in the US. She got the idea to celebrate fathers while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909.
She spoke to the Spokane Ministerial Association and her local YMCA and proposed that they celebrate a ‘Father’s Day’. She chose June 5 because it was her father’s birthday.
Though the idea received a lot of support, the ministers of Spokane wanted more time to prepare for the day. Therefore the first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910, and it became an annual event.
Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Children like to express their love and admiration for their fathers by giving them thoughtful and special gifts.
Here are some ideas-
Personalised engraved watch– You could pick a watch and get a message or just your dad’s initials engraved on the back.
Whiskey decanter set– If your dad loves whiskey, get a nice decanter set with matching glasses for him to enjoy his drink in style.
Grilling set – If cooking and grilling is your dad’s thing, get him a nice set with all the essential tools like a spatula, tongs and a grill brush.
Weekend getaway– You could pick a nice spot where your dad can go for the weekend doing l the things he loves to do. And of course, you take care of all the travel and accommodation details.
Personalised photo album- Get all his favourite pictures, combine them with handwritten notes and gift the album to him.
Collection of books– If your dad likes to read, get hold of books by his favourite authors, gift wrap them, and together with handwritten notes, gift them to him.
Music system– If music is what he likes, upgrade his music system by getting an upgraded version of what he has.
Also Read: Love, The Father-Daughter Way
Father’s Day Quotes
What some people have to say about their fathers-
Chelsea Clinton
“[My father] has always provided me a safe place to land and a hard place from which to launch.”
Michael Jordan
“My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said,’ You never know what you can accomplish until you try.”
Ruth E. Renkel
“Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.”
Nitya Prakash
“Confident women are raised by loving dads.”
Susan Gale
“A father’s smile has been known to light up a child’s entire day.”
Sigmund Freud
“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”
Unknown
“To the world, you are a dad. But to our family, you are the world.”
Also Read: 21 Father-Daughter Quotes
Father’s Day Wishes
Here are some ideas to make your Father’s Day wishes unique and straight from the heart :
- When people say, ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,’ I tell them that’s the best compliment I could ever get. Someday, I hope to grow as strong and wise as you. Have a great Father’s Day.
- Today is all about you, Dad! Enjoy, because tomorrow it’s back to the rest of us!
- Happy Father’s Day to my hero and role model. Thank you for everything you have done for our family. We love you with all our hearts.
- No matter how old I get, Dad, I’ll always be that same little girl who loves you with all her heart, Happy Father’s Day!
- Happy Father’s Day to the best dad ever! You’re not just my father but one of my closest friends. Love you!
- Sons become strong men from the influence of their fathers. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
- Happy Father’s Day! You’re not just my father, but one of my closest friends,”
- You will never go out of style, Happy Father’s Day to the coolest dad ever.
- The older I get, the more I realise how important it is to have a dad like you. You have provided stability in my life and all the love and acceptance I needed. Happy Father’s Day!
- Thank you for being there every day with all the love and guidance I need. Everything you’ve taught me has stuck with me, and I’m lucky to have a dad like you.
Also Read: A Father and His Daughter….
Make the day special for you and your dad. Happy Father’s Day!
What do you think?