Father's Day: Not Just for Daddies Anymore

Unique Ways to Honor that Special Man in Your Life

There is debate about who really created Father’s Day in the United States. Below are five historical recordings of the first celebrations of this long overdue honor to the men that shaped us. 1.) Dr. Robert Webb reportedly held the first Father's Day celebration at the Central Church of Fairmont, in Fairmont, West Virginia in 1908. (West Virginia also holds claim to the origins of Mother’s Day 2.) Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, of Spokane Washington, also led to instituting Father’s Day as an official holiday in the United States. In 1909. She chose June 19th, the month of her father’s birthday, to celebrate Father’s Day after listening to a Mother’s Day sermon. 3.) Harry C. Meek, the president of the Lions Club of Chicago made several speeches about the need for a holiday to honor fathers. He was presented with a watch in 1920, by the club, with an inscription that read "Originator of Father's' Day". 4.) In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge showed support for Father’s Day becoming a national holiday. 5.) President Lyndon Johnson finally made the third Sunday of June officially reserved for Father’s in 1966. Did you know that different people celebrate Father’s Day on different dates? 1.) People in Australia celebrate Father's Day on the First Sunday in September. 2.) Father's Day is celebrated (like the US) in Canada on the third Sunday in June. 3.) People in the U.K. also hold their annual Father's Day celebration on the third Sunday in June. 4.) Many Catholics from all over the world call March 19th (St. Joseph Day), Father's Day because Joseph was the father of Jesus. Unlike a lot of other holidays there are not many yearly traditions associated with Father’s Day. The only on that I could find, according to general consensus, was: 1.) You are supposed to wear a red rose on Father’s day if your Father is living; a white rose if he has passed away. Since there are no traditional gifts to give (unless of course you revert to the stand-by of ugly ties), you will have to get creative. Father’s Day is considered to be the fourth most important gift holiday. Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day are the top three. Now, it might be just me, but I feel that Father’s Day should at least be above Valentine’s Day. This year, let’s give honor to those that deserve it! If you do not have a Father, choose an important ‘Father-Like’ figure in your life to observe this special day with. This could be an Uncle, a Grandfather, a Teacher or an Older Friend. Below are five unique gift ideas to give each of those important men in your life. 1.) A Tie. Just not an ugly one! Instead of going out and buying the traditional silk tie make one at home. If you have young children, get out some finger paints and let them go on a cheap cotton blend from the local discount store. You can also tailor this to his tastes by using appliqués, fabric paint based on his hobbies (cars, fishing, hunting etc.) 2.) A T-Shirt. Use the same principle as above, you just have more room to express your artistic side! 3.) A Personal Gift Certificate. This could be anything- free weekend of fishing, or a whole Sunday to watch sports when you take the kids somewhere. The possibilities are endless. 4.) A Photo Album or Collage. Confiscate pictures of all the men that are important to him and make a personalized scrapbook of his father, grandfather, brothers, and friends to present him with on the big day. Have everybody include a personal letter or write a memory for those not living anymore. 5.) A Simple Homemade Card or Letter. Buy some theme stationary, a few colored pens and you are ready to go. Tell him why he is so important to you; share the most special memories you have of him or simply just let him know that you’re thinking of him on Father’s Day and all year long. No matter what present you decide to send on Father’s Day, just make sure to send one. If you do not have anyone to spend the day with, offer to volunteer at your local nursing home. There are plenty of men there, without families of their own, which would be overjoyed at the prospect of having an ‘adopted child’ for the day. You never know, you might just find that ‘Father Figure’ you’ve been longing for in the process.