Father’s Day in the United States falls on the third Sunday in June. Its story is usually traced to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, who championed a day to honor fathers in 1910, inspired by her own father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children on his own after his wife died. It took decades to become official, and a permanent national observance was finally signed into law in 1972.
The holiday has since collected its share of neckties and grilling gadgets. This year, consider something different: the gift of rest.
Why rest makes a good gift
For many fathers, grandfathers, stepdads, uncles and mentors, weekends are not really time off. They are when the grass gets cut, the gutters get cleaned and the car gets looked at. In a Georgia June, much of that work happens in serious heat. Giving a dad a day without his usual list says something that is hard to put on a card: we see how much you carry, and you deserve a break from it.
Ideas that ask nothing in return
- Take over the yard work. Mow, trim and water the plants the day before, so Sunday has nothing waiting.
- Give him an uninterrupted morning. Coffee on the porch, the newspaper or a ballgame on the radio, with no one asking for anything.
- Protect a nap. Hang a sign on the door if you have to, and keep the household quiet for an hour.
- Cook his favorite meal, even if he usually runs the grill. Let him sit in the shade and be served.
- Plan a slow outing he enjoys, such as an early-morning fishing trip, a drive with no destination or a walk along the river before the heat sets in.
- Handle the cleanup. Dishes, coolers, the whole lot.
Gifts that support rest
If you want to give something to unwrap, look for things that make rest easier the rest of the summer: a comfortable outdoor chair or a hammock for the shady side of the yard, a wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses, a paperback by an author he loves. A simple grooming kit with a gentle face wash and a moisturizer with sunscreen is a thoughtful choice for the dad who has only ever used bar soap.
If a spa or wellness experience appeals to the father in your life, the simplest step is to ask. Our contact page is the easiest way to find out what is available.
For dads who resist resting
Some fathers find it hard to sit still while others work. Rather than insisting, invite. Rest can be shared: a long walk together, an afternoon of fishing side by side, a puzzle, a porch conversation that goes on as long as it likes. Respect that rest looks different for different people. For some men, puttering in the workshop is the most restful thing in the world, and that counts.
Father’s Day can also be tender. For people who have lost their fathers, or whose relationships are complicated, the day may bring grief alongside gratitude. Making quiet space for that, for yourself or for someone you love, is a gift of rest in its own way.