Celebrate Father’s Day
Suggestions and other ideas.
by Emily McKinley
Just as our fathers were proud to wear our homespun graphic tees, many fathers take immense joy in the creative efforts of their children. Challenge your family to present dad with homemade gifts. Crafts, stories, poems and songs about dad are all fun keepsakes. Older children can prepare a meal and serve it to dad in his favorite lounge chair. Moms can pop open a beer for their spouse and give dad the license to relax in front the television while watching his game of choice. Gifts need not be extravagant, just heartfelt. Sure, dad would be thrilled with a new fishing pole, table saw or any other coveted item, but putting strain on the finances is likely the least welcomed gift on Father’s Day.
In addition to tokens of love and appreciation, give dad the gift of relaxation. He’ll relish the opportunity to have a break from work, household chores, financial stresses and other tasks that typically litter his “honey-do” list. Help out dad and enlist family members to check off some of the tasks on the list. Try making a game of it: The child who completes his tasks first, gets to be the first to present dad with his other gifts!
Another fun way to surprise dad is to grant him a weekend with each child. Some father-child time does every family good! Ask each child to plan a weekend filled with activities that both dad and child enjoy. Perhaps the pair relish fishing together. Mom, help your child plan a weekend away, to include campsite reservations, packing gear and easy-to-prepare meals. Be sure to direct your children towards activities that will truly thrill dear ol’ dad! Remember, this is not meant to be a relaxation exercise for mom (though it may be a perk)!
Active duty moms, remember your spouses who have been pulling “single-parent duty” during a deployment. While you may not be there to help corral the children and organize gift-creation or activity planning, there are many ways you can still celebrate the man in your life. Ask friends, family or neighbors to relieve your spouse for the day so that he can take in a relaxing round of golf. E-mail him websites highlighting adventure weekends. Ask him to pick his favorite weekend and treat him to it upon your return! Adventures may vary from a family weekend to a trip to see guy friends, a romantic getaway (where mom does all the planning) or a weekend for him to hunt, fish, hike or simply relax. Remember that while you are away, he is running full-speed-ahead to maintain your home, family and his career.
What’s the best way to celebrate Father’s Day? Let the fathers in your life know that you love them and appreciate them. Thank them for all the joy, adventures and challenges that they bring. Look at the father of your children and celebrate him for the wonderful gifts shared between you. Give your dad a hug, and tell him why you love him and always will. As with most mothers on Mother’s Day, most fathers wish only to spend time with their families on their special day. Make it a day of celebration to remember and honor memories shared, as well as moments missed, during a deployment. Rejoice in the love your family shares.
In spite of the passing years, a father’s love never wanes. He holds dear the memories made with his children – even if those memories come in the form of a puffed-painted t-shirt. Decades later, folded neatly in a drawer and hanging in a closet are two tees, painted by two daughters for their two fathers. It is not the shirt that is so special. It’s the memory. It’s the pride we have for our fathers and our fathers have for us. The love, bond and shared laughter make the memories extraordinary.