What does my husband really want for Father’s Day this year? That’s the question I’m asking myself, and I encourage you to ask yourself the same question. Maybe he wants one of the gifts advertisers have been promoting for weeks. And maybe he wants to celebrate by going out to dinner or getting together with extended family or doing some other traditional Father’s Day activity.
But maybe he doesn’t. I know for certain that my husband doesn’t want a new tie or any of the clothing advertised in the dozens of Father’s Day ads we’ve received. And I know for a fact that he doesn’t want to go to a crowded restaurant and wait in line for an hour! What about your husband? Do your Father’s Day plans include “expected” gifts and activities, or do they include the gifts he really wants to receive and the things he really wants to do?
Here are a few ideas for making Father’s Day plans in a way that will mean the most to your husband.
- Plan the day around his interests and preferences. Maybe he wants to spend Father’s Day relaxing with you and the kids. Maybe he’s a sociable guy who would love to get together with extended family or friends. Maybe he would love for you to cook him a special meal. Or, maybe he really needs a day to himself, to enjoy one of his hobbies or just putter around. Think about what he would enjoy most (and ask him if you’re not sure) and do your best to make it happen.
- Give him a gift he will love to receive. Your husband may want a gift you can buy at a store, but he may not. He may want a gift that doesn’t cost any money or a gift of time or attention. He may want to do something a little bit adventurous. He may want the gift of a short break from some of his responsibilities. And more than likely he’d love to spend some time enjoying sex and intimacy with you. Don’t feel obligated to buy gifts he may not want, just because our culture says we need to celebrate Father’s Day by buying things. Think about what he really wants and do your best to make sure he receives it.
- Adapt your plans. In order to celebrate in a way that will bless your husband, you may need to be creative. If you know that the celebration on Sunday won’t be exactly what he wants or needs, plan an auxiliary celebration. For example, maybe he wants a day of peace and quiet and time to relax, but the kids are excited and have planned fun activities for him. Or your mother-in-law has invited the extended family for dinner. Maybe you’re finding that life is getting in the way. That happened to us one year recently, when I spent Father’s Day weekend with my mother, who was recovering from surgery. If your celebration on Sunday won’t be ideal, extend Father’s Day into next week, and plan something you know your husband will enjoy.
Here are some other great Father’s Day posts I think you’ll like:
23 Lessons I Learned from My Father
What are your plans for Father’s Day, and how are you tailoring them to meet your husband’s interests and needs? Please share your thoughts in the Comments – I would love to hear from you.
Monica @HappyandBlessedHome.com says
I love the way you’ve shared this so we all can benefit. Shared and featuring at Family Fun Friday! http://www.happyandblessedhome.com/fathers-day-recipe/
Marjorie Briggs says
Good ideas! My husband, most of all wants to be acknowledged. His love language is time – he’ll want his kiddos to call him, give him a card, and maybe come chocolate. We have always agreed that he isn’t my Dad, and I’m not his Mom, BUT I do have a necktie for him – after all, he is a pastor, and they always can use a new tie. Seahawk colors 🙂
GC says
Hi Marjie – I think it’s so important to know the husband’s/father’s love language and then “speak it” when honoring him on Father’s Day. It sounds like your family has a good plan. This is the first year that my husband and I will be alone on Father’s Day – one son is out of the country and one is on a week-long mission to rebuild some houses in a poor area of our state. So this will be a very different Father’s Day for us.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
Gaye
honeybey says
Great ideas. I cannot come out with any greater gift ideas for men. It’s hard but am glad you share these tips.
-http://herweightlossdiary.blogspot.com
GC says
Thanks! I’m glad you like them.
Gaye
Nicci @ PowerfulMothering says
Food! I always make his favorite dish and leave him in peace to play a game or watch a movie 🙂
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GC says
Thanks Nicci – It sounds like you know exactly what he will enjoy!
Gaye
Lisa says
Our girls and I snuck and bought parts for his truck that’s needed. He puts it off to make sure we have what we need or want.
GC says
Hi Lisa – Gotta love a husband who puts the needs of the family above his own! And I love that you and your girls were able to get him something he needs “on the sly!”
Have a great day tomorrow.
Gaye
Romance Me says
Great tips for Father’s Day! I plan to incorporate some of these ideas this weekend with my husband to make sure that he enjoys Father’s Day the way HE wants to. Have a fabulous weekend!
GC says
Thanks so much. Hope your hubby has a great Father’s Day.
Gaye
Bethany says
These are really great thoughts! This is our first Father’s day as a married couple, and I think I will take some of your advice. I was wondering if you have any thoughts about our specific situation. We have no children yet, and really want them, and the road (while relatively short thus far) has been rather difficult. Do you have any ideas for when Father’s Day will probably full of hope for the future but also present sadness? Thanks!
GC says
Hi Bethany – I hope that some of these ideas will work for you. I’m sorry that I don’t have an idea for your specific situation. My best thought is to simply look forward to your first Father’s Day as husband and wife and to focus on enjoying it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Gaye
messymarriage says
I asked my husband just the other day what he wanted for Father’s Day and he didn’t really know. Then I thought, well, I just take him shopping on our day off together and let him pick something out. But as you’ve pointed out here, Gaye, sometimes our husband’s don’t want a material gift. I don’t often stop to think about that. I’ll have to see what he might want in addition to or in lieu of a material gift. Thanks for helping us to think outside the box. I always appreciate the practical insights you offer here, my friend!
GC says
Thanks Beth. I always appreciate your encouragement and kind words.
Gaye