Fathers Day is just around the corner, and it’s time to break out the grills, white socks & sandals, and the dad jokes! We’re kidding, of course; none of those items really go out of style when it comes to the dads in our life! Our fathers are the backbone of the family. Having this special day for him is a fantastic way to say thank you for everything he’s done. So, grab a beer, and sit back with that special pops in your life! Let’s look at the history behind this incredible day, ways YOU can say thank you with our top Father’s Day gifts, and some of our favorite Dad’s throughout history!
When is Father’s Day
First things first, of course. When is Father’s Day? While we try and spoil our dad’s throughout the year, there is a recognized holiday just for him! In the UK, Canada, India, France, the United States, and many other countries, this day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June. For 2021 this would be on June 20th. Some countries link Father’s Day to the Feast of St. Joseph in March, which celebrates Joseph of Nazareth, the father of Jesus.
While dates may vary from country to country, most places worldwide celebrate their fathers just like we do here in the United States.
The History of Father’s Day
While you might think Father’s Day has a long and timeless history, you might be shocked to learn it’s just barely over a century old! That’s right! Father’s Day was founded back in 1909, right here in Spokane, Washington. Sonora Smart Dodd, the daughter of Civil War Vet Jackson Smart, wanted to celebrate her father in a way similar to the way people celebrate Mother’s Day.
At a church in Washington, Dodd listened as a sermon spoke about Mother’s Day and later approached her pastor with a brilliant idea. Let’s honor our fathers, just as we do our moms. Being one of Smart’s 6 children, Sonora felt he deserved just as much recognition being a single father.
Originally, Sonora asked for the occasion to occur on June 5th, her Father’s birthday, but as the date was quickly approaching. The Pastor decided to push the celebration to the third Sunday in June. The holiday didn’t reach any sort of success until President Nixon marked it as a national holiday in 1972. In the mid-’80s, the holiday flourished similarly to Mother’s Day.
The swing upward in popularity was largely due to the help of the New York Associated Men’s Wear Retailers. They worked to commercialize the holiday and specialize in marketing gifts for Dad’s everywhere.
Traditional And Non-Traditional Gifts For Fathers Day
Top Father’s Day Gifts with Alcohol
While this might be my personal favorite gift for my Dad, it’s also highly popular around the world in celebrating Fathers. In Germany, for instance, Father’s Day is more than just giving your Dad a new wallet. German Fathers have the day off to consume tons of beer, ride a beer bike, and generally skip responsibilities for the day. Mexico also hosts large gatherings with food and alcohol! While a tie is a nice sentiment, what dad do you know that wouldn’t also love a rich bottle of Bourbon to celebrate his special day?
Top Father’s Day Gifts with Personalization
It’s no surprise that selecting a personalized Father’s Day gift is one of the most popular out there. Getting something generic from the store is nice, but adding in the extra touch of personalization really accentuates the reason for the holiday. We all want to spoil the man we’ve looked up to for years, and what better way than something personalized? Some great ideas for this are a personalized cake, a custom mug with your photo on it, even a bottle of wine with a personalized label to your pops.
Top Father’s Day Gifts in the Corporate World
If you’re looking for something for the Fathers in your office, we’ve got a list of items to let them know how much you value them. But wait? Is it appropriate to give a gift in the corporate world just because it’s Father’s Day? It’s a great question, and while we can help slightly with the answer, you’ll need to see the traditions in your receiving country. We do have a few quick guides and helpful hints for you though.
Keep it simple. While Mother’s Day can get lavish, Dad’s usually prefer something smaller.
Spend Wisely, not Wastefully. Sure, a combination beer opener, flame thrower, picture frame, coffee mug is cool, but save that for their kids.
Be thoughtful. Even something as simple as a monogrammed pen can go a long way in building corporate relationships while honoring Fathers.
Cooking/Grilling gifts are always a hit.
While this last one may seem obvious, it’s also the most fun. Cooking and grilling presents are the gifts that keep on giving all throughout the year. Set your dad up with a cool chef’s hat and apron with his name on it, and maybe a new set of grilling utensils. Even better still, check out your local area for a father/child cooking class you both could take together. Not only will Dad learn a fun new recipe that doesn’t involve cereal or ramen, but he’ll also get to spend quality time with you!
Our favorite fathers throughout History
Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., 1821-1878.
Theodore Roosevelt Sr. was the dad of US President Roosevelt Jr. TR Jr, said “He’s the best man I ever knew” and even paid a special tribute to him in his autobiography.
“My father worked hard at his business, for he died when he was forty-six, too early to have retired. He was interested in every social reform movement, and he did an immense amount of practical charitable work himself. He was a big, powerful man, with a leonine face, and his heart filled with gentleness for those who needed help or protection, and with the possibility of much wrath against a bully or an oppressor.”
Charles Darwin, 1809-1882.
Charles Darwin is best known for being a naturalist and founder of evolution. What people probably don’t know is that he was also the father to ten children. His children remembered him as a loving storyteller who took a keen interest in their lives but gave them the freedom to explore it themselves.
“Indeed, it is impossible adequately to describe how delightful a relation his was to his family, whether as children or in their later life,” Darwin’s daughter Francis wrote.
Barack Obama, 1961- Current
One of the most recent doting fathers is the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama. His two daughters are the center of his world, as the entirety of the world saw on multiple occasions. One of the most open declarations of love came from Parade Magazine, where he said, “When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn’t seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours.”
You’ve learned a ton about Fathers and their special day, now what?
- Send a Father’s Day gift to your favorite Dad
- Pandemic life still keeping you from your Dad this Father’s Day? Get some tips to celebrate long-distance with: Long Distance Short Episode 9: Long Distance Relationships in the Time of COVID-19
- Sign up for new blog announcements and exclusive subscriber savings!