Fathers Day ideas are easy to come up with when you realize that all you need is in your own back yard.
You’ve spent your very last ounce of brain power finishing the school year, now in the first few days of summer break, before the dust even has time to settle you are blindsided by Father’s Day. It shouldn’t be that way; it is the second Sunday in June and has been so for decades. Yet there you are scrambling last minute for an appropriate way to honor dad. Whether you choose to put the last minute scramble on hold this year or proceed as usual, here at a few ideas that will pull together nicely, quickly, and really let dad know he’s tops.
Man Meets Fire
While mom is usually best honored by giving her a complete day of R&R, Dads genuinely enjoy pitching in if you speak the right language and prepare properly. BBQ and Dad have been tossed together for eons. Make the most of the pairing this Father’s Day.
Pull together foods worthy of the grill and get cooking. Great grilling is yummy; it pleases kids and adults alike. Another beautiful part of the backyard grilling experience is that the whole family can gather together in the yard while the meal cooks.
Keep stress at bay by keeping it simple. There is no need to complicate this with the needless frills. Those fancy, foofey things are usually for mom’s sensitivities anyway. Dads like the simplicity of being together without the stress of preparation and hassle of clean up. Honor dad by doing things just as he’d do them, even if it goes against your grain a bit. It is his day after all.
Menu Meets Fire
To that end, kids like hot dogs and chips, let them have them. If you want to dress it up a bit, get bratwurst or steaks. Dad is not going to mind eating a great sausage or a T-bone, if he really has to. Spread out a quilt and eat right there on the grass off of paper plates. Want to include a fancy potato or macaroni salad? Make it the night before so the mess and prep work don’t land on Dad’s Day.
Foods that do well on the grill: hotdogs, hamburgers, steaks, and chicken (choose cuts that have the bone in, they don’t dry out on the grill). What about veggies? Cut a variety of zucchini, yellow crook-necked squash, asparagus, and green, red, or yellow peppers, soak in salted water put onto to the grilling rack and brush with olive oil. Grill until lightly charred on both sides, they will be a crowd pleaser every time; all with virtually no mess or fuss.
The grill can even prepare a great dessert. Wrap marshmallows and chocolate sandwiched by gram crackers in aluminum foil and toss them on the warm grill. When they are warm and toasty enjoy your BBQ s’mores.
While the Fire Burns
To keep the kids and Dad occupied while the food cooks, get a few outdoor games. Water guns or balloons are great. Dads are usually overgrown boys and will like the chance to just cut loose and play with the kids. Get a football to toss around or a baseball, a few mitts and a bat. Dad is more into another sport? Then prepare for his particular passion.
At dinner honor Dad by having each family member share their special memories of Dad. This is a great way to pass the afternoon, allow dad to feel loved and escape from his daily grind. In essence, the perfect Father’s Day.
Shopping For Gifts For Dad
A good Father's Day isn't complete without at least one gift to make Dad happy. Do your shopping in advance, so you have enough time to make the right choice. This is especially true if you're shopping online, as you need to account for potential shipping delays.
If Dad hasn't given you any good ideas for gifts, you'll have to put your thinking cap on and come up with your own. Dads often appreciate practical gifts, so start there. Does Dad need a new garden hose? Weed-whacker? Watering can? If you can think of something that Dad needs or needs replaced, that's going to point you in a good direction.
Make sure you set a budget for yourself. It can be tempting to go all-out on a gift, but remember that it isn't necessary! You don't want to put yourself in a bad financial position for someone else's treat. Dad will appreciate the thought behind the gift, not the price tag.
Homemade gifts are great, too, especially with younger kids. A homemade gift can be as simple as a t-shirt with your kids' handprints on it. Dad will love such a sentimental gift. Homemade gifts often remain special for years to come, long after the kids have grown up and moved out on their own.