Ways to Treat Dad on Father’s Day

CEBU, Philippines —  Everyone’s lucky to have a Dad. From the late phone calls whenever your car broke down to the events where he showed up to cheer you on – he’s certainly done a lot for you, for sure. If so, Father’s Day is a time to return the favor and spend some quality time with your old man.

But sometimes it’s hard to figure out exactly how to do that. What does Dad even want?

One key way to show him you care is to pay attention to the things he likes to do. Following are seven creative ways to channel what you already know about Dad into a fabulous Father’s Day.

1. For the foodie: Feed him... or upgrade his tech kitchen.

There are plenty of options to choose from, depending on what your dad likes. Is he into trying new things? Take him to a food market. Is he more of a fancy guy? Take him to a restaurant. Does he prefer a home-cooked meal? You know where the kitchen is.

Alternatively, buy him a few cool gadgets that will make cooking even easier for him. How about an automatic jar opener, so he doesn’t have to do all the heavy lifting for you anymore, or an instant pot cooker that can make a meal while you’re out having fun together?

And don’t forget the plethora of YouTube videos full of the most outrageous recipes he’s going to love. 

2. For the outdoors enthusiast: Get into nature.

Take your dad out fishing, hiking, or even for a walk through your neighborhood. It will give you time to learn more from him and maybe even hear a few new stories about your childhood. 

While you’re having your outdoorsy fun, capture the moment with cameras you might have to teach him how to use – like his very own drone, or an instant camera to remind him of the good ole’ days. It wouldn’t hurt to buy him a bag for storing all his cool new gear. And maybe even a nice first aid kit, just in case. 

3. For the sports fanatic: Invite him to a game.

If your dad is always yelling at the television or keeping score of his favorite team through app alerts, Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to take in a game together. All you need are some jerseys, beers, and tickets to a live sports event to enjoy with your dad on Father’s Day.

If a live game isn’t an option, turn the living room into his own personal luxury box. He’s going to need the essentials: his own personal fanny pack to hold all his snacks, a fancy Apple Watch to keep his team’s scores in one place, and maybe some custom pizza sneakers, so Dad never has to leave the couch and miss a winning score. 

4. For the music lover: Go to a performance, or create your own.

If your dad is constantly jamming out in his car and embarrassing you in front of your friends by singing his favorite songs at high volume, taking him to a concert is the way to go. Score some tickets to his favorite musician or band, and let him finally belt it out with other fans without being judged by you.  

Or, bring the show to him with some Bluetooth headphones, his own Crosley turntable, or a speaker that also charges his phone. Dad can have his own concert in the comfort of his home, or take the performance on the road. (Sorry in advance.)

5. For the movie buff: Arrange a marathon.

Maybe your dad is always quoting his favorite movies or hitting up the opening weekends of the latest blockbusters. If so, set up a movie day full of his classic picks. Make sure you have snacks, drinks, and a comfortable spot for watching hours of films.

If your dad prefers his viewings in the theater, there are some great summer hits for the whole family, from “Solo: A Star Wars Story” to “Incredibles 2”. Or maybe he prefers to watch the classics over again.

6. For the traveler: Book a short trip. 

Whether your dad is the ultimate explorer or simply curious about the world around him, extend Father’s Day and book a trip to a new (or familiar) destination nearby. Anything goes: A weekend in a nearby city or town, a trip to an all-inclusive resort, a road trip – even visiting relatives in the province. Your dad deserves it! The bonus is that you get to go, too. 

The perfect way to prepare your dad for this jaunt is to make sure he has a multi-featured suitcase, a neck pillow, and a digital camera to capture all the best moments so you can relive them again and again.

7. For the dreamer: Do something unexpected.

Is there something on your dad’s bucket list he’s been holding off on doing? Now is the perfect time to convince him to cross that activity off his list. Does he want to bungee jump? Learn at last to play the piano? Or maybe he’s interested in becoming a professional mixologist? It’s only fair to help him accomplish his goals. After all, he helped you achieve yours. 

Whether he’s building a two-story playhouse or finding a new way to nap at the pool, any dad’s dream is one that deserves pursuing. 

So, pick an activity or two and show Dad how much you appreciate everything he’s done (and still does) for you and the whole family. (https://mashable.com) Chelsea Candelario