Growing up with a single mom, Father’s Day always felt a bit tricky. I did have a relationship with my biological dad, but we were not very close. Instead of limiting the person we honored on Father’s Day to him, my mom taught me how to honor people who had a father-like role in my life.
I’ve been blessed to honor five other men who carried that role in my life. Being a father isn’t always about biology. Sometimes for Father’s Day, we focus on a biological dad. Other times, there are men in our lives who take on the role of a father even if there is no biological connection. For me, this was an uncle, a grandfather, and a step-father who later adopted me. When I got married, I added my father-in-law, and finally my husband as the father of our kids.
The beauty of Father’s Day doesn’t have to be limited to one person. Instead, we can recognize the contributions of people who are fatherly in our lives and our children’s lives. As we approach Father’s Day this year, you can recognize and celebrate all the dads in your life.
Celebrating these people does not need to be complicated. Often, simple is better. You can find meaningful ways to honor the people who are father figures in your life.
Honoring Your Dad on Father’s Day
The most obvious person to celebrate is your own father. No matter why you consider this person your dad, you can use this day to honor them for the role they play in your life. Consider these ideas to honor your dad:
Personalized Gifts: Consider giving your dad a personalized gift that reflects his interests and hobbies. It could be a custom-made item, engraved with a meaningful message or his initials.
Cook His Favorite Meal: Prepare your dad's favorite meal for dinner. It's a thoughtful way to show him how much you care.
Memory Jar: Encourage family members to write down their favorite memories or messages for your dad and place them in a decorative jar. Present it to him as a keepsake and reminisce about some favorite memories.
Meaningful Ways to Celebrate a Grandfather on Father’s Day
Grandfathers have a unique role in their grandchildren’s lives. Sometimes they are part of your daily life. Other times, grandfathers live far away or there are other limits to how often you connect. Father’s Day is still a great time to remind them of how much you care. Here are some ways you or your children can honor a Grandfather:
Handwritten Letter or Card: Express your gratitude and love for your grandfather in a heartfelt letter or card. Share specific memories or qualities you admire about him.
Family Gathering: Organize a family get-together or a special meal to honor your grandfather. It could be a barbecue, coffee date, or dinner at his favorite restaurant.
Photo Album or Scrapbook: Create a photo album or scrapbook filled with pictures of your grandfather, family gatherings, and memorable moments together.
Ideas for Celebrating a Father-Like Relative
Many times, people have a relative like an uncle step into a fatherly role. This could be because a father is absent or simply because they care and want to show their love and support. Recognize them on Father’s Day with one of these ideas:
Gift Basket: Put together a gift basket filled with his favorite snacks, drinks, books, or hobbies. Tailor it to his interests and preferences.
Outdoor Adventure: Plan an outdoor activity that your loved one enjoys, such as fishing, hiking, or a stroll in the park. Spend quality time together in nature.
Video Message: If you cannot be with your uncle in person, consider recording a video message to send him on Father's Day. Share your love and appreciation for him in a heartfelt video.
Celebrating a Friend or Mentor on Father’s Day
Often, people have adults in their lives who demonstrate fatherly characteristics. This could be a teacher, a coach, or a close family friend. It is thoughtful to show them how much they mean to you for Father’s Day. Try these ideas:
Gift of Time: Sometimes, your best gift is your time. Simply spending the day with this mentor, doing activities he enjoys, can be a meaningful way to honor him on Father's Day.
Express Gratitude: Write a heartfelt letter or card expressing your appreciation for your mentor's guidance, encouragement, and impact on your life. Share specific examples of how they helped you grow and succeed.
Public Acknowledgment: If appropriate, publicly acknowledge your mentor's contributions and impact on your life or career. You could write a social media post, dedicate a blog post, or publicly thank them at an event.
Ideas for Celebrating Your Spouse
Watching your husband become a father impacts you and your children for a lifetime. Consider how you can make him feel special and loved for all he does. Think about ways you can show him you appreciate him as well as ways your kids can show him that they love him.
Breakfast in Bed: Start his day off with a special breakfast served in bed. Prepare his favorite dishes and include a handwritten note or card expressing your love and appreciation.
Family Outing: Plan a fun family outing or activity that your husband enjoys. It could be a trip to the zoo, a hike in nature, a visit to his favorite museum, or a picnic in the park.
DIY Gifts: Get creative and make DIY gifts together with your kids to surprise your husband. It could be homemade cards, crafts, or personalized photo albums that capture special family moments.
Tech-Free Day: Declare a tech-free day where the focus is on spending quality time together as a family. Disconnect from devices and engage in activities like board games, completing a project, or outdoor adventures.
Family Movie Night: Set up a cozy movie night at home with your husband's favorite films, snacks, and blankets. Spend the evening cuddled up together enjoying quality family time.
Surprise Getaway: Plan a surprise weekend getaway or staycation for your husband and the family. This is a great way to unwind and create new memories together.
Express Appreciation: Throughout the day, verbally express your appreciation for your husband's role as a father and partner. Let him know how much he means to you and how grateful you are for everything he does for the family.
Rebecca Hastings is a former elementary teacher who traded the classroom for writing when she stayed home with her three children. Passionate about authenticity, faith, and family, you can find her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Amazon. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate.