By Kris Sookma
Fathers' Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It is a day set aside to honor fathers everywhere, whether they are the new father of a baby who is too young to say thank you by themselves, the proud patriarch of a young family, or the father of grown children who have flown the nest but still choose to remember him on that day. Whether he is a foster or adoptive father, a step father or simply a beloved father-figure, a Dad, a Daddy or a Father, this is the day to show him how much he means.
Fathers' Day was first celebrated in the US in 1910, when a woman called Sonora Dodd decided that fathers should be shown the same appreciation as mothers, who had been officially celebrated in the US on Mothers' Day since 1870. The tradition on which Mothers' Day was based could be traced back to ancient Greece, with Mothering Sunday having been used as an opportunity to give gifts and a break from work to mothers in Europe since the 16th century. Mothers had traditionally been the main caregivers, who looked after the family and took care of the home. They were often under appreciated and hard-worked, as demonstrated by the proverb "a woman's work is never done". Mrs Dodd believed that her father deserved the same show of appreciation, having raised six children alone.
Although Fathers' Day was often seen as less important than Mothers' Day, and considered by some to be just a commercial enterprise, the changing role of the father in family life means that they are equally as deserving of a show of appreciation as our mothers. Fathers are no longer the stern head of the family who goes out to work and rarely spends any time with his children.
Fathers' Day is a chance to thank your father for everything he has done for you. Giving him a card and a gift basket is a great way of doing this, particularly when you can't be there in person, while taking over the chores or giving him breakfast in bed can be a way of getting him to relax when you do share the same home. Let him take the day off and treat himself for once.
For many people Fathers' Day is an important chance to set aside some time to spend with their father, whether this means having a special meal together or taking him out for the day. Not everyone can make it on the day, but sending a card or calling him up can let him know that you are thinking of him.
Fathers will always appreciate the personal touch, so a handmade card or fathers day gift basket is always going to be special. Older children and adults tend to show their appreciation with a bought gift. The best thing which a father can receive is something that shows how much care and thought has gone into choosing it. A personal gift that appeals to his particular likes and interests will really serve the purpose of Fathers' Day- demonstrating his importance in the lives of his children. If he has a special hobby or he enjoys a certain sort of chocolate, or there is something you know he has had his eye on for a while then you can get him something you know he will appreciate.
If you are having trouble finding something, or you live too far away to deliver it in person, then the internet can offer some more options. Everyone enjoys getting a surprise delivery, and unwrapping the parcel to discover something wonderful inside.
One thing that confuses many people who are writing their cards is how exactly the day should be written. Where does the apostrophe go? "Fathers" is just the plural of father, "Father's Day" means the day belonging to a particular father, and "Fathers' Day" means the day belonging to fathers in general. Father's Day is probably the most common spelling, although Fathers' Day may be more technically correct. Ultimately though, unless your dad is a pedant when it comes to grammar, he is likely to be too happy with his gift to worry about apostrophes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3585397
Posts
0 Comments