11 Ways to Celebrate Dad
Father’s Day is just a week away. Take time to pamper the men in your life and show them just how much you appreciate all they do for you. This is a great time to celebrate both fathers and all the paternal role models in your life. These ideas are excerpted from my book, Everyday Confetti, co-authored with Glynnis Whitwer.
- No chore week. Declare a no-chore week leading up to or surrounding Father’s Day. Everyone else mows the lawn, takes out the trash, or changes the light bulbs. Give Dad the time off to do whatever he wants to do. He might enjoy a free day to go bowling or simply relax in a hammock with a glass of iced tea.
- Fill Dad’s love tank. Tell Dad why you respect and appreciate him. Write your reasons on index cards, and in everyone’s own handwriting. Then let Dad keep the cards with him to read when he need some encouragement.
- Watch a sporting event Dad likes. Put down books, phones, or video games and actually watch the game with him. Just making the effort to learn about what he likes will make him feel loved.
- Ask Dad about his work. Learn as much as you can about what he does so you can have more conversations in the coming weeks.
- Video love notes. Make videos for Dad on your cell phone. Keep them short, but allow each child to say a message for Dad. Create your own message, telling your husband what a great father he is. Send them as text messages the next week, spreading them out to keep the love going.
- I love you because…. Give a child some paper and coloring utensils and ask the questions: Why do you love Daddy? Allow the child to draw or write their answers down. Tuck them in an envelope for Dad to open as a surprise.
- Dad’s choice. As a family, rent and watch a movie but let Dad do the picking. And let Dad choose a snack to munch while watching.
- Wherever he wants to go. Take an outing to a place Dad chooses. Perhaps it is a ball game or museum. Then stop at a park for a family picnic or swing by an ice cream shop for a big scoop of Dad’s favorite.
- Acronym of adoration. Have the kids write out Dad’s full name across the top of a piece of poster board. Then think of a word that describes Dad for each letter of his name and list it down from the letter on the board. For example: P A U L might be “Patient. Awesome. Unstoppable. Loving.”
- It’s a party! Invite some other families over for a game of flag football or Frisbee. Serve subs, chips, and watermelon along with some lemonade. For dessert, set up your own county fair pie-tasting competition. Let the dads in attendance serve as judges and award the blue ribbon rosette.
- All about Dad. Make Dad his favorite foods all day. If he likes pizza for breakfast then let him have pizza for breakfast. This day is all about Dad, so make sure meals are his favorites.
I’d love to hear from you: what are your favorite ways to celebrate Dad? Or if you try any of the above ideas, which one did he enjoy?
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For more fun ideas and recipes for celebrating holidays throughout the year, check out Everyday Confetti: Your Year-Round Guide for Celebrating Holidays and Special Occasions. In our book, Glynnis Whitwer and I hope to spark your creativity and provide with you ideas for planning and implementing wonderful holiday and holy day celebrations with your loved ones. In addition, you will learn to toss a little confetti and make the ordinary days extraordinary.