Father’s Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the third Sunday in June.  This is a special day to celebrate our fathers and to acknowledge their contributions to our lives.   Hopefully, sons and daughters around the country take this opportunity to honor and remember their fathers.

A Brief History of Father’s Day

With the success of Mother’s Day previously established after the Civil War and officially made a national holiday in 1914 the public wanted a similar holiday for fathers.  The person credited for the start of this holiday is Sonora Smart Dodd.  Her father was a Civil War veteran who raised her and five siblings in Spokane, Washington.  In 1909, after hearing a sermon about the celebration of Mother’s Day, she thought that fathers should have a similar holiday.  Initially, through her efforts the holiday proved to be a success, but when she went away to school in Chicago the celebration gradually faded away.

Upon her return to Washington in the 1930s, she again started promoting the holiday but this time she approached several trade groups that manufactured items normally used by men, advertisements and promotions were also used to coincide with the holiday.  This marketing trick seemed to work for promoting the idea of a holiday specifically for fathers and it proved to be extremely successful this time.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers and designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.  The day was made a permanent national holiday by President Richard Nixon and passed into law in 1972.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas and Suggestions

Father’s Day gifts are available in wide range of prices, from the very expensive and extravagant to the inexpensive, thoughtful and very personal hand crafted items.  Listed below are some great gift ideas for Father’s Day:

1. Clothing – Neckties are a traditional Father’s Day present, but think about purchasing a coordinating button-down shirt, too.  Another idea would be to add cufflink and a tie clip.  Maybe think about a t-shirt or sweatshirt from their old college.  Men generally prefer gifts that are practical, so make sure the items of clothing being purchased are something that he would like.
2. Food – Have the kids make a dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies and present them in a fun cookie jar or maybe a pan of brownies wrapped up in colorful gift paper. (just be sure to have everything cooled before wrapping!)  If he likes a good pie or delicious cake make one for him to enjoy.  Another idea is to purchase his favorite candy bars or snacks, such as peanuts, chips or pretzels.  Then put everything in a basket, tuck in the television remote maybe include a couple of his favorite action or science-fiction movies and add a cute note that lets him know it is his special day to watch anything he likes.
3. Breakfast in bed – this idea can be as extravagant as a catered meal to a special menu planned and cooked by the kids with the supervision of their mother.  As an extra special touch consider serving the meal on custom hand-painted plate by the kids and from the local pottery store.  (this idea needs to be planned in advance because there is usually a processing time to pick up a completed fire-kilned plate)
4. Sports stuff – if he is a golfer, maybe plan a visit to the local sporting goods store or his country club golf shop to purchase a set of golf balls, a special golf club, a personalized golf bag or golf club covers.  Golf shirts, shorts or pant are another gift idea.  If he is a football or baseball fan a great gift idea is to purchase his favorite team t-shirt, sweatshirt or hat and maybe toss in a couple of tickets to see a game.
5. Garden stuff – if he has a green thumb, maybe check out March’s Craft post, Spring Garden Basket, for a great gift idea.  A garden basket is a wonderful craft idea with everything inside the basket that he would need for inspiration,  Fill the basket with items such as: a couple of small pots, a small bag of potting soil, a few seed packets, garden tools, garden gloves and a few garden accessories.  The garden basket can be as simple or elaborate as you wish but the amount of the items used is determined by the size of the basket you choose.
6. Tool box – Just like a women can never have too many shoes, a man can never have too many tools!  Take a look in your local hardware store or home improvement store for items like: hammers, wrenches and screwdrivers.  Maybe he has a bigger item on his wish list, such as: a table saw, a generator, etc.

Gift Wrap Tips and Suggestions: (excerpt from the December Celebration Post)

For a masculine style of gift wrap, be inspired by menswear when wrapping a present for a father, husband or brother. Use darker colors, such as: hunter green, burgundy and navy blue.  Look for wrapping paper in plaids, herringbone and pinstriped patterns.

Check out your local fabric store for masculine fabrics to use, such as: corduroy, flannel, suede or simulated leather.  Be inspired by fabric normally used in menswear, such as: tartan plaids, black and white herringbone and grey or navy pinstripe fabrics.  The ribbon aisle is a great source of different styles of ribbons, such as: suede, leather or menswear patterns.  Check out the sewing notions department in the local craft store for unique buttons to attach to the present.

When gift wrapping presents such as formal tailored shirts use the accessories as gift wrap accents.  Think about using the coordinating tie purchased with the shirt tied with a traditional Windsor knot or if he uses a bow tie instead consider pinning it on the outside of the present.  One suggestion is use a one or two inch wide solid color ribbon or a leather or suede strip around the present vertically and glue several buttons down the front to simulate a shirt front.  The matching pocket square can also be attached to complete the look.

 Father’s Day Trivia

• There are over 70 million fathers in the United States.
• Nearly 95 million Father’s Day cards were given last year in the United States, making Father’s Day the fourth-largest card-sending occasion.
• 50% of Father’s Day card are by sons and daughter to their dads. Nearly 20% Father’s Day cards are purchased by wives for their husbands, 30% of the cards which go to grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles.
• Roses are the official flower for Father’s Day. A red rose is worn in the lapel if your father is living; a white rose if he is deceased.