In honor of father, Father’s Day is celebrated every third Sunday in June. On this day, fathers are spoiled with crafts, gifts and breakfast in bed. For many, choosing a gift for father is considered more difficult than choosing a gift for mother. That’s why here are tips and ideas for a nice gift on Father’s Day.
Father’s Day
Just like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is also celebrated every year. The date falls on the third Sunday in June (in Belgium on the second Sunday in June). On this day the father is the center of attention. Fatherhood, the father’s role in the family and fatherly duties are honored and celebrated on this day.
In the Netherlands , Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, but this also varies per country. In some countries such as Spain and Portugal, the celebration takes place on March 19. This is also the day of Saint Joseph, and Joseph is of course the foster father of Jesus. In Germany, Father’s Day is celebrated during the Ascension Day, namely the day that Jesus returns to his Father in heaven.
Dates Father’s Day 2013-2023 in the Netherlands
- Father’s Day 2013: June 16
- Father’s Day 2014: June 15
- Father’s Day 2015: June 21
- Father’s Day 2016: June 19
- Father’s Day 2017: June 18
- Father’s Day 2018: June 17
- Father’s Day 2019: June 16
- Father’s Day 2020: June 21
- Father’s Day 2021: June 20
- Father’s Day 2022: June 19
- Father’s Day 2023: June 18
Other countries that also celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June are:
Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Philippines, France, Hungary, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Qatar , Singapore, Slovakia, Suriname, Turkey, Venezuela, United Kingdom, United States and South Africa.
History of Father’s Day
Father’s Day is said to have been celebrated for the first time in 1909. The celebration was introduced by a woman, Sonora Smart Dodd (Washington, United States). His father, a veteran named William Jackson Smart, was widowed after his wife died in childbirth. To thank him for his perseverance, she decided to honor him and with the founding of Mother’s Day (a year earlier) by Anna Jarvis, she decided to organize Father’s Day.
The first real Father’s Day was then celebrated in 1910 in the town of Spokane, and then in 1924 support was found with Calvin Cooldige, who was president of the United States at the time. The problem, however, was that Congress did not want to implement such a holiday. The congress consisted entirely of men and it felt that men were not so spoiled. It was Richard Nixon who finally made Father’s Day a national holiday in 1972.
In 1937, Father’s Day came to the Netherlands. The date was fixed for the third Sunday in June in 1948.
Father’s Day gift
Young children often make a craft for their father at the daycare center at school. However, for older children this is often a more difficult problem; often even more difficult than for mother. You want to give something nice and valuable that expresses your gratitude. Not every father likes the same thing. That’s why here are some ideas and tips for a nice Father’s Day gift.
Traditional gift
Fathers (i.e. men) often receive typical gifts addressed to men. This includes shirts, socks, ties, but also electronic objects (for example a TomTom, headphones or shaver). Although it may seem like a cliché gift, sometimes it can be exactly what your father is waiting for.
Do it yourself
Men are often the handymen in the house. You make many fathers happy with a new drill or other tools. If you check in time what your father still needs, or ask through your mother, you can unexpectedly arrive with a useful gift. Not every father likes symbolic gifts. Often a practical gift is highly sought after.
Treats/sweets
It’s not just women who like treats. You can also make men happy with a box of chocolates or a pack of luxury cakes. Maybe your father has a special brand that he absolutely loves. Check online (or in store) to see if they have a gift package for this, or put it together yourself.
Day out
Fathers also love a day away. Maybe go out with the whole family, spend a day at an amusement park, a museum or a zoo. Let your father choose, and who knows what he will come up with. Or give him a day away with his wife. If it becomes too expensive, you may be able to ask brothers and/or sisters to help pay. You can also choose to treat both your parents and thus cover both Mother’s and Father’s Day.
Perfume
Perfumes for men may be even more difficult than for women. Of course, that also depends on whether you are your father’s daughter or son. It can be a bit difficult to choose, but maybe you can ask your mother what she likes (she is mainly the one who has to smell the scent all day long). Or alternatively, look in your dad’s closet to see (and smell) what he’s currently using to give you an idea, or an exact indication of what to buy.
Book
Maybe your father really likes to read. What is more fun than giving a good book, perhaps from his favorite author or from his favorite genre?
Surprise package
If you already have some ideas, or your father has a special hobby, it is fun to put together a package with a number of products of your choice. For example, is your father crazy about cars? Buy a popular car magazine, a model car and an original basket. Or does he like a good glass of beer? There are several nice packages with special beer types. Another idea is to buy a variety of food items that your dad loves and place them together in a nice basket or box.
Gift voucher
Are you still unable to figure it out or are you afraid that it is not enough for your father? Then a gift voucher is always an option. It may not be the most original idea, but it will at least ensure that your father buys something he really wants.