What to do for Dad on Father’s Day

Father’s Day is coming up, and I’ve got some ideas for anyone struggling to come up with something special to do for the paternal figure in your life. Even if you’re far away and can’t actually spend the day together, I hope you can take a little bit of time to send your dad a little something to let him know you’re thinking of him.

Simple ways to celebrate

One way to celebrate the dads in your family is to get together with the family in your area and share a meal. That’s what my family does, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive, but it makes for a really nice day when you can throw some burgers on the grill and chow down. 

Being together in person isn’t always possible, though, whether it’s because you live far away or due to health concerns (thank you 2020). Even if you can’t be there to share a meal with your dad, you can always spend a little money to send him something special. There are loads of options for ready-to-eat meal services and high-quality meat meal kits. 

If a tight budget doesn’t really allow for fancy meats or prepared meals, you can also send/ make a card. Post office stamps are pretty cheap, luckily so all you need is some paper and an envelope. Now I know that many dads aren’t the touchy-feely type but telling them how much you appreciate them is never a bad idea. 

Even just a phone call can mean a lot to your dad if you don’t get the chance to talk to him much. It’s also not a bad idea to talk to any grandfathers if you can. If they weren’t dads too, you wouldn’t be around! 

Finding a great gift

I like to think I can give pretty good gifts when I put in the time, but I have to admit that shopping for my dad is tough. He’s a bit of a stoic guy and doesn’t talk too much about his interests, so it’s hard to know what kinds of things he might like. If your dad is like mine and you’re struggling to get him something he’ll actually like, I do have some tips.

Personalize it

Take a look at what he spends most of his time doing. Does he read a lot? Use a tablet for something? Does he play games or work on home improvement? I know my dad drives a lot, so I got him a fancy new seat cushion and a portable tire inflator for his birthday last year. Not the most impressive gifts, but every time I use his car, that seat cushion is always in use. 

The best gifts, in my opinion, are the ones that get used and help remind our loved ones of us when they see or use them. At home, I know my dad’s office space gets invaded by the dogs a lot when he isn’t home, and they tend to make a mess of things, so this year, for example, I decided to get him a proper gate he can use to lock them out when he isn’t there. (Dad, you better not be reading this before Father’s Day!)

Try something new

If your dad is getting older and thinking about retiring soon (or is already retired), helping him find a hobby could be a good gift too. Depending on the type of person he is, he could be interested in a class or a new sport; fishing is a pretty stereotypical dad hobby. (That can actually be pretty fun, it doesn’t just have to be casting a line and sitting there for hours in silence).

It can be hit or miss, but if you’re looking for inspiration, you can always look at what deals Groupon has for your area too. You might find coupons for wine tastings or gym memberships, or even weekend getaways. Even if you don’t end up getting any of the coupons, it can still help get your creative gift juices going.

Tried and true

If you really don’t know what to get him and want a safer option rather than venturing into the unknown, you can’t go wrong with a sturdy travel mug or a sentimental photo of him with a loved one. There’s also the stereotypical gift of power tools or meat. 

If you want to send Dad something tasty, check out Omaha Steaks’ deals on steaks, steaks, and more steaks. (Not the best gift for vegan/ vegetarian dads but there are plenty of plant-based meal kits you can send too). Or you can also get him a bouquet of beef jerky. 

Quality time

If you aren’t close to your father, it can still be a nice gesture to spend some time with him. Or even someone else you look up to if your dad isn’t around. Family is what you make of it, and I’m a big believer in being able to choose your family (to an extent). The holiday may be called Father’s Day, but it’s really just supposed to be a day where you show someone your appreciation.

So, if you can’t figure out what to do or what to get him (or them), invite some people over for a get-together and make a game night of it.

If you’re away from family but have the chance to spend the day with your significant other’s family, we’ve got some advice to get you through Father’s Day and any other holiday. Trust me; it probably won’t be as bad as you think. Getting to know your SO’s parents is usually more nerve-wracking than it needs to be.

At the end of the day, there are a lot of things you can do for Dad that I’m sure he’ll appreciate. As long as you take some time to show him how grateful you are for all that he’s done for you, then you’re winning. 

What do you plan to do for Father’s Day?