Celebrating Fatherhood Archives

3 Dad Business Owners Talk Joys of Fatherhood

A father is someone who looks out for his family, is there for them when they need him, and shows them unconditional love.

But every good father knows that he would not be the man, or dad, he is without the support of those around him — and no one knows that better than Mark Cronin, Christopher Russell, and David Watson.

Each one is running a successful business, and he’s doing it with the help of either his wife or children — or both.

This Father’s Day, we salute three men whose roles as business owner and dad are uniquely intertwined and find out what fatherhood means to them.

Mark Cronin, cofounder, John’s Crazy Socks

proud dad with Johns Crazy Socks — John’s Crazy Socks cofounders Mark Cronin (right) and John Lee Cronin (bottom), with Mark’s other two sons, Patrick (back) and Jamie (left).

Mark Cronin is the father of three sons: Patrick, Jamie, and John. A social entrepreneur, advocate, keynote speaker, and author, Mark co-founded John’s Crazy Socks with son John, who has Down syndrome. Together, they have grown it into not just one of the largest sock stores in the world but a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. To wit, more than half the company’s employees have a differing ability.

What is your proudest dad moment?

I have many:

Having my eldest son, Patrick, lead the family on a tour of the U.S. Capitol when he worked as a Congressional aide.
Watching my son, Jamie, become clean and sober, and get his life back on track.
Watching John accept a proclamation from the county executive and then hand it to his colleagues, thanking them and telling them that they deserve the recognition because they are the ones doing the work.
Standing next to John as we addressed a conference at the United Nations on diversity and inclusion.
Watching Patrick perform improv at a theater in Manhattan.
Watching Jamie coach a Special Olympics basketball team.

What words of wisdom do you have for other dads?

Parenting is very humbling. We help best when we support our children as they figure out who they are and how they will lead their lives. When we appreciate the journey for our children, life becomes so much richer.

What is your dream Father’s Day scenario?

Spending the day with my sons, whether watching a Mets game, going for a hike, or sitting around the kitchen table talking.

Christopher Russell, cofounder and owner, Treat House

proud dad with russell family — Chris Russell (left) with wife Jennifer and sons Eli (second from right) and Daniel.

A native New Yorker, Chris Russell has spent his career working in every facet of the restaurant industry. In 2013, inspired by a charitable bake sale where his sons, Daniel and Eli, sold gourmet Rice Krispies treats, Chris launched Treat House with his wife, Jennifer.

Giving back has always been key to Treat House’s mission. The company has partnered with the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, to deliver treats to low-income patients with blood cancer, and with the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, which helps those affected by childhood cancer.

What is your proudest dad moment?

It was at the end of last summer, after both my sons had worked the entire summer at a local day camp. The camp director called me and my wife to say that we had raised two of the kindest, most empathetic, and hardest-working young men she had ever worked with. Those are among the qualities we value most, and it was great to hear from a non-family member that our children have embodied those characteristics.

What words of wisdom do you have for other dads?

Find a way to spend as much time with your children as possible. Eighteen years fly by. Before you know it, your kids will be on their own and those precious moments will be few and far between. Prioritize family time. Your investment will pay off with a great relationship with great kids!

What is your dream Father’s Day scenario?

Box seats at a Yankees game with my two sons and my wife (and I catch a foul ball).

David Watson, co-owner, Flowerama Las Cruces

proud dad with David Watson — David Watson with wife Donna (left) and daughter Danette.

In late 1984, David and Donna Watson saw an ad in the local paper looking for Flowerama franchisees and, Donna being an avid gardener and lover of plants, jumped right in.

They opened the store in the Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1985 and ran it for 10 years, before closing the shop in 1995. In 1990, they opened a second, free-standing location in a shopping center. (All this time, David was working as an electrical engineer at White Sands Missile Range, a job he held until 1998, at which point he retired and went to work full-time in the flower shop.) When the Watsons’ children, Derek and Danette, were old enough, they started to help out at the family business, fulfilling and delivering orders. (1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. acquired Flowerama in 2011.)

Derek has since moved away, but Danette, and her husband, William, are store managers, doing, David estimates, “75% of the work.” “Danette is a very creative designer. Donna is still very involved. I’m a glorified bookkeeper,” he jokes.

What is your proudest dad moment?

It’s not a moment — I’m proud of my two children every day. They’ve both grown up to be good and thoughtful adults.

What words of wisdom do you have for other dads?

Teach your children that actions have consequences — good and bad. And be there for them either way.

What is your dream Father’s Day scenario?

Just having my kids with me. That’s what makes me happy.

10 Delicious Father’s Day Gift Ideas

The thing about Father’s Day is that we tend to pick out the same kinds of gifts for Dad year after year. So, instead of getting him another sand wedge or that limited edition rock concert T-shirt, try something that will tickle his taste buds. Whether he’s all about snacks, steaks, or sweets, there’s a gourmet goodie to make his day a memorable — and delicious — one.

Here are 10 of our favorite Father’s Day gift ideas that will show him, and his stomach, how much you care.

Father’s Day Surf and Turf

Does your father enjoy eating the best from both land and sea? Then look no further than this surf and turf dinner, which includes a pair each of two favorites: filet mignon and lobster tail. They’re easy to prepare, making this a meal Dad will remember for years to come.

Charcuterie Favorites Collection

Fulfill Dad’s charcuterie dreams with a delicious array of meats, cheeses, and spreads. The Charcuterie Favorites Collection will have him saying “Holy cow!” when he opens the box, with four types of salami, garlic jalapeño-stuffed olives, and sweet and sour cornichons. Pair these delectable snacks with spreads, such as hot honey mustard, and Seville orange and fennel marmalade on top of olive oil and sel gris flatbread crackers.

Summer Grilling Gift Box

Is your dad a certified grill master, or does he have dreams of being one? This Father’s Day grilling gift box features four grilling sauces, including a wing sauce and bacon chipotle BBQ sauce, and a peppercorn spice rub that will have him itching to fire up the grill. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, he can try his hand at indoor grilling and whip up something delicious for the family.

fathers day gift ideas with Dads Savory Snack Box with Wine

Father’s Day Wine Box

We know the word “savory” is in the name here, but not every item in this hefty haul fits that description. In addition to all the savory delights he’ll get, including summer sausage, honey hot mustard, and mixed nuts, there is also the caramel-flavored Moose Munch® Premium Popcorn and sweet and spicy snack mix. Let him wash it all down with a bottle of Harry & David 2019 Royal Crest Red blend, and he’ll be the happiest dad on the block this Father’s Day.

Father’s Day Pears and Cherries

There are some amazing food combinations out there — peanut butter and jelly; bagel, lox, and cream cheese; caramel and sea salt — and now fruit is getting in on the sweet action with this pears and cherries gift. The perfect combination of buttery Royal Verano pears and juicy, plump, sweet cherries is great for casual snacking or makes a bright addition to any cheese board or appetizer spread. Pro tip: Grab his favorite chunk of blue cheese or sharp cheddar and pair it with a few slices of pear for a triple threat of sweet, savory, and salty.

Seven Days of Dad Jokes

Count down to Father’s Day with a few corny gut busters. Seven Days of Dad Jokes is an advent-style gift that comes packed with Moose Munch popcorn, hickory-smoked summer sausage, and trail mix. Each treat is hidden in its own compartment and labeled with a cheesy pun, one-liner, or riddle. Looking for more dad jokes? Click here.

Happy Father’s Day Party in a Box

Get the party started with this delightful gift. The Happy Father’s Day Party in a Box comes with seven different flavors of cookies, mouthwatering fudge brownies, and confection pretzel clusters. Whether you’re throwing Dad a special Father’s Day dinner party or spending a quiet night in with his favorite board game, this party in a box has dessert covered.

fathers day gift ideas with Dads Favorite Things Gallon Popcorn Tins

Dad’s Favorite Things Popcorn Tins

Sweeten up movie night with Dad with an extra special gift. The Dad’s Favorite Things Popcorn Tin comes with four flavors of popcorn: cheese, butter, caramel, and white cheddar. No matter what film you’re watching at home (remember to let him pick!), he’ll be a happy camper. Caveat: We are not responsible if you get caught sneaking this into a theater.

fathers day gift ideas with Gourmet Dipped Fancy Strawberries

Gourmet Dipped Strawberries

Treat your father like royalty this Father’s Day with gourmet strawberries. These fancy-looking berries are dipped in milk and white chocolaty confection, and then decorated with milk chocolate drizzle, ground toffee, or mini chocolate chips. Regal treats for the king of the house!

Belgian Chocolate Artisan Caramels

Show Pops he’s the sweetest with artisan caramels. An elegant box contains both Belgian milk and dark chocolates filled with decadent caramel sauce. Each chocolate is hand painted with unique designs and will wow Dad each time he opens the box — which, if he finds these caramels as irresistible as we think he will, won’t be very often.

Unique Father’s Day Gifts for Every Kind of Dad

From the early weekend mornings spent teaching us how to ride a bike to the late nights spent fixing every crack, hole, and appliance, Dad has given us hundreds of reasons why he’s the best. Surprise your one-of-a-kind dad with one of these unique Father’s Day gifts that will warm his heart.

The desk decorator

unique father's day gifts with dish garden

Office plant

Give Dad’s workspace or home office a new look with a unique desk plant or dish garden. Or, take this gift to the next level by using Dad’s favorite photos to create a personalized and fun DIY photo terrarium.

The film fanatic

unique father's day gifts with popcorn tin

Tins With Pop® “The Original Best Dad“

Your dad always has to be the first to catch the latest blockbuster, and he needs a delicious snack to enhance his viewing experience. Surprise him with four gallons of crunchy popcorn that comes in three mouthwatering flavors: butter, caramel, and cheese. All that yummy goodness sits inside a red-and-white-striped tin that he can reuse for whatever he pleases.

The golf guru

Golf Insulated Cooler Bag

If Dad is a regular at the local golf course, help him cool off with this unique insulated cooler bag, which can hold 10 12-ounce cans plus ice (never forget the ice). Not only will it keep his drinks cold and provide him ample storage for all his golf accessories, but it even has a tee holder! Dad can clip or strap this cooler to his golf bag or cart, and he’s ready to go.

The “spirited” snacker

unique father's day gifts with liquor nuts

Trio of Liquor Nuts in Gift Tin

Few things go together better than an adult beverage and salty snacks. If your dad is a particular fan of that combo, then these mouthwatering liquor nuts will please him greatly. The selection of cashews, peanuts, and almonds is made extra tasty with the addition of real Irish stout, Jamaican lager, and Kentucky bourbon, and it’s all presented in a lovely reusable tin.

The BBQ buff

unique father's day gifts with grilling sauces

Summer Grilling Gift Box

Your pops boasts about his spice collection and spends summers attached to the grill. You know what’ll make him happy — a wow-worthy Summer Grilling Gift Box! This delightful collection includes four flavors of barbecue sauce, including charred pineapple bourbon and bacon chipotle BBQ. Don’t forget the peppercorn spice rub.

The avid angler

unique father's day gifts with fishing chair

Sit ‘n Fish Personalized Cooler & Chair

If Dad’s ideal Sunday is spent at the local lake, pond, or stream with his line in the water, surprise him with this personalized cooler and chair. It’s just what he needs to keep him comfortable, and he can keep his favorite beverage in the insulated cooler compartment and a few snacks for the day in the rear storage pocket. The chair folds up, making it convenient to travel with.

Dad Brain: How Fatherhood Affects the Mind

a photo of mark teich's two sons — The Teich children

When my wife and I became engaged, we planned on having children. It was actually her plan, and though I hadn’t thought much about raising kids, I loved her enough to go along with it.

After we said our I-do’s, she got pregnant. I wasn’t sure what kind of father I would be, but after many months, Lamaze classes, and OB/GYN meetings, something must have clicked. When our first son arrived, I was all in. When I wasn’t at the office, I shared equally in feedings, diaper changes, playing, hugging, kissing, and baby talk. We took turns walking up and down the long hallway in our apartment much of the night to stop our son’s crying and get him to sleep. Though it was exhausting, it all seemed natural, and I didn’t analyze it.

But now, researchers worldwide are analyzing what goes on in a new father’s mind during pregnancy and childhood, and their findings are mind blowing — and another reason to celebrate dads. It’s well established that pregnant mothers have hormonal and cerebral changes during pregnancy and childhood that enhance their parenting skills. It turns out that fathers — despite not actually carrying the baby — simultaneously go through comparable changes.

“We haven’t given fathers much credit as primary caregivers, and we’ve rarely thought about them at all as expectant parents,” says developmental neuroscientist Helena Rutherford, Ph.D., associate professor at Yale University’s Child Study Center. “We’ve acted as though once the baby arrives they simply become fathers. But, actually, the psychological, neurological, and hormonal changes that start to unfold in them during pregnancy are on a parallel path with the mothers.”

A tale of testosterone

A key focus of the research is what happens to fathers’ testosterone levels. In 2011, a landmark study led by Lee Gettler, Ph.D., at the University of Notre Dame followed 624 non-fathers over time. It found that those with higher testosterone levels were most likely to become partnered fathers by the time of follow-up 4 1/2 years later; they then soon experienced large declines in their testosterone levels that were far greater than the declines in men who remained non-fathers. Furthermore, the fathers who reported three hours or more a day of childcare had far lower testosterone levels than those who weren’t involved in childcare.

a photo of dad braIn with a dad and baby

Lee observed that testosterone appeared to be a “mediator” between mating and parenting, with high levels predicting mating success and declining levels predicting parenting success. Put another way: Nature provides high testosterone to drive the hunt for a mate, but once a mate is found, lower levels reduce the mating drive so the now gentler, less driven father can focus on raising his family.

These substantial testosterone drops may be a modern phenomenon, since not long ago so many offspring died in childbirth or early childhood that fathers wanted to keep producing progeny. Higher testosterone remained helpful. But with child survival way up and economics dictating against raising multiple children, most families aim for fewer kids. “Testosterone levels may reflect these different reproductive strategies,” says Darby Saxbe, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at the University of Southern California. “Now, we might have only one or two or three children, but we invest in them tremendously. Rather than maximizing the number of offspring you produce, you want to maximize the survival of each offspring, so you’re shifting away from a mating strategy toward a nurturing strategy.” Ergo, lower testosterone.

My wife is in her seventh month, and I keep feeling more warmth and paternal communion with the baby.

David Zachary

Father

In the past few years, scientists have shown that testosterone levels start to drop dramatically in fathers before the baby is born, especially in the last trimester. The closer to the due date, it seems, the more nature prepares men for child rearing. David Zachary, a soon-to-be father, reflects this phenomenon perfectly. “My wife is in her seventh month, and I keep feeling more warmth and paternal communion with the baby,” he says. “When you first talk to the baby, it’s like talking to some fantasy future thing that will exist; the conversation is really just in your mind. But now, he keeps getting bigger and more fully formed on the ultrasound. He’s viable. We have an app that tells the different stages of development, and I know that when I talk to my wife’s belly now, I’m talking to a person who is actually hearing me. He’s real to me now.”

A warm bath in the brain

While the lion’s share of the research has centered on testosterone, that’s not the only hormonal game in town. As testosterone goes down, other hormones, such as oxytocin and prolactin — the same ones that surge in new moms — also surge in dads. This research is newer, but it looks like the whole warm bath of the so-called maternal hormones may also be prepping dads for parenting.

Rutherford cites the work of professor Ruth Feldman, a developmental social neuroscientist who recently showed that, like mothers, fathers have increased levels of oxytocin — the attachment hormone — during pregnancy. After the baby is born, the parents’ oxytocin levels keep increasing, if they have tactile contact with it. As with mothers, the more fathers touch, play, and engage with their child, the more oxytocin they develop, cementing their bonds with the baby.

Similarly, Lee’s research showing that testosterone levels dropped in the perinatal period also showed that levels of prolactin — the hormone that produces milk in mothers — rose in fathers during the same time. The rise started in pregnancy and soared higher after the baby was born, and started interacting with the father. Other research has shown that dads who have the greatest response to infant cries also have the highest prolactin levels. So, it appears that while dads don’t have the intimate privilege of breast-feeding, prolactin is an emotional hormone that makes them better, more responsive fathers.

A 2014 study led by Feldman found that men go through similar changes to their brain as mothers in the perinatal period — the reduction of gray matter that distracts from childrearing and an increase in gray matter that enhances childrearing.

“The interplay of all these systems appears to be important in fathers as well as mothers,” Rutherford says.

Meeting of the minds

The fact that fathers, despite not bearing children themselves, go through all these hormonal changes that make them, in a sense, more like the mothers — less libidinous and more nurturing — appears to be nature’s ingenious way of getting everybody on the same team, in the same mindset, to give maximum love and care to their child. Saxbe points to research showing that intimate partners tend to synchronize with each other.

“One thought is that when cohabitating with a pregnant partner our patterning of hormones is being influenced by the partner,” she says. “And that may be setting up men to be more biologically prepared for parenthood.”

75 Dad Jokes Guaranteed to Get a Laugh

dad jokes with a dad telling his sons a joke

Dads and their humor. Cringeworthy, am I right? It almost seems that as soon as a man becomes a father, his ability to create corny, hackneyed puns increases tenfold.

But these jokes may actually be good for his kids, and all kids. A study found that dad jokes, which are embarrassing, can help children build stamina when dealing with embarrassment as they grow into adults, resulting in being comfortable with who they are.

So, in honor of father’s everywhere, here’s a collection of dad jokes so bad that they’re actually funny. Try out your favorites on the kids. Caveat: You may get only some laughs, but we can guarantee lots of eye rolls.

75 of our favorite dad jokes

What’s the best kind of music to listen to when fishing? Something catchy.
How did the pirate get his ship for so cheap? It was on sail.
“Today my son asked me, ‘Can I have a bookmark’? I burst into tears — he’s 12 years old and still doesn’t know my name!”
Why do dads take an extra pair of socks when they play golf? In case they get a hole in one.
What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
Why don’t seagulls fly over the bay? Because then they’d be bagels (bay gulls).
“What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment but never in a thousand years? The letter M.”
What’s the best kind of bird to work for a construction company? A crane.
What did the T-Rex use to cut wood? A dino-saw.
“I got fired from my job as a taxi driver. It turns out nobody thought I was fare.”
What do you call a snake that loves building houses? A boa constructor.
Where do fish keep their money? In a river bank.
Why did the man put his money in the freezer? He wanted cold, hard cash.
When does it rain money? When there is a change in the weather.
Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
What do a tick and the Eiffel Tower have in common? They’re both Paris sites.
Why did the man get fired from the banana factory? He kept throwing away the bent ones.
“Whoever stole my depression medication — I hope you’re happy now.”
Why can’t a leopard hide? Because he’s always spotted.

A photo of dad jokes with an older dad telling his son and grandson a joke

What do you call two monkeys who share an Amazon account? Prime mates.
What do you call a penguin in the White House? Lost.
What do you call a kangaroo’s lazy joey? A pouch potato.
What did the llama say to his date? “Want to go on a picnic? Alpaca lunch.”
“Did you hear that I’m reading a book about anti-gravity? It’s impossible to put down.”
Which is faster, hot or cold? Hot, because you can catch a cold.
Which bear is the most condescending? A pan-duh.
What kind of noise does a witch’s vehicle make? Brrrroooom, brrroooom.
What’s brown and sticky? A stick.
“Singing in the shower is fun until you get soap in your mouth. Then it’s a soap opera.”
“I only know 25 letters of the alphabet. I don’t know y.”\
How does the moon cut his hair? Eclipse it.
What do you call a factory that makes OK products? A satisfactory.
What did the janitor say when he jumped out the closet? “Supplies!”
What did the buffalo say to his son when he dropped him off at school? “Bison!”
“I can tolerate algebra, maybe even a little calculus, but geometry is where I draw the line.”
Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use a honeycomb.
What kind of music do chiropractors like? Hip pop.
What has five toes and isn’t your foot? My foot.

A photo of dad jokes with an older dad telling his son a joke

What did the cannibal choose as his last meal? Five Guys.
Me: “Go to bed, the cows are already asleep in the field.” Son: “So what?” Me: “It’s pasture bedtime.”
What do you call a Frenchman in sandals? Philippe Philoppe.
“I bought the world’s worst thesaurus yesterday. Not only is it terrible, it’s terrible.”
Why did the scarecrow get an award? Because he was out standing in his field.
What do you get if you cross an angry sheep with a moody cow? An animal that’s in a baaaaad mooood.
Can a kangaroo jump higher than the Empire State Building? Of course! Buildings can’t jump.
What did the sink tell the toilet? “You look flushed.”
What happens when a snowman throws a tantrum? He has a meltdown.
“I saw a 1,000-year-old oil stain; it was from ancient Greece.”
“My extra winter weight is finally gone. Now, I have spring rolls.”
Did you hear about the red and blue ships that collided? All the sailors were marooned.
My neighbor gave me a new roof for free. He said it was on the house.
Did you hear about the teenager who failed his driving test? He thought it was a crash course.
Where do surfers learn to surf? At boarding school.
A duck walks into a bar and buys everyone a round. He tells the bartender, “Put it on my bill.”
What do you call a wizard who’s good with ceramics? Harry Pottery.
Why did Marie Curie break up with the guy she was seeing? There was no chemistry.
Did you hear about the nurse who didn’t want to become a doctor? She didn’t have the patients.

dad jokes with dad laughing with father and son

Why did the tourist feel disappointed upon seeing the Liberty Bell? It wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
How did Benjamin Franklin feel when he discovered electricity? He was shocked!
Why don’t the other farm animals like playing basketball with pigs? They’re ball hogs.
How do ghosts stay in shape? They exorcise.
What do rabbits need after getting caught in the rain? A hare dryer.
Why did the coach put the frog in the outfield? He was really good at catching flies.
What board game is popular in Prague? Czechers.
What kind of shoes does a lazy person wear? Loafers.
Why didn’t the invisible man go to the dance? He didn’t have any body to take.
“’Dad, did you get a haircut?’ ‘No, I got them all cut!'”
What did one candle say to the other? “Do you want to go out tonight?”
Why did the bed wear a disguise? It was undercover.
Why was the Incredible Hulk so good at gardening? He had a green thumb.
Why did the elephant quit his job? He was working for peanuts.
What did the shovel say to the sand? “I really dig you!”
What are the least expensive type of teeth? Buck teeth.
Why did the queen go to the dentist? To get crowns.

And, finally…

When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent.

Gifts for Dad

What Type of Dad Do You Have?

Over the past few decades, the role of being a father has evolved, and dads are now more involved in raising their children than ever before. These days, many fathers are choosing to be stay-at-home dads so they can take care of their children.

“It’s more important now than ever to acknowledge this day for dads and encourage other fathers to take the helm and lead their family in non-traditional ways that will hopefully soon be considered more traditional,” says Chris Pegula, author of Diaper Dude, creator of the Diaper Dude bag company, and self-described “dadtrepreneur.” “Honoring this day — at least for me — is something I appreciate and is something that’s so memorable because my kids gave me the gift of my future and my purpose.”

It’s more important now than ever to acknowledge this day for dads and encourage other fathers to take the helm and lead their family in non-traditional ways.

Chris Pegula

Author

Diaper Dude

Of course, honoring Dad on this day is about more than showering him with attention and the perfect gift. It can also show children how to appreciate and honor their loved ones.

“Celebrating Father’s Day is a great way for us to model back to our kids how much we value the relationship we have,” Pegula says. “It can be a great way to show an example of the future to your own kids, about how they should treat each other, their loved ones, their significant others, and beyond.”

Fathers or father figures, however, are not always easy to shop for, and it can be a challenge finding a thoughtful gift for them. We’ve put together a succinct Father’s Day gift guide to ensure your dad receives a gift that he will love, appreciate, and use.

Best Father’s Day gifts for the organized dad

Nothing makes your dad quite as happy as a manicured lawn, an organized garage, and having everything in its own place. He may be a fun-loving free spirit, but when it comes to spaces around the home (or even the car on vacation), he will spend hours making sure everything is as precise as can be.

Best Father's Day gifts with personalized tape measure — No One Measures Up Personalized Tape Measure

Embroidered Tech Organizer

Best Father's Day gifts with a personalized doormat — His Garage Rules Personalized Doormat

This Father’s Day, facilitate his need for organization by gifting him thoughtful storage solutions that will make his life easier and bring him joy. Whether it’s something to keep his garage in order or a handy tool for his next project, you can’t go wrong with practical gifts that he can use as he sees fit.

If you want to go above and beyond, offer to put those new storage solutions to use by helping him with his latest project. After all, time spent together is the greatest gift of all.

Best Father’s Day gifts for the sporty dad

Your father lives for sporting events, pickup games, and simply being active. So, opt for an experience — such as taking him to see his favorite team play in person — or a physical gift, such as an autographed baseball bat, that is sure to get his juices flowing. Use your knowledge of his preferences to gift him something themed, usable, or otherwise perfect.

best father's day gifts with personalized baseballs — Dad of the Year Personalized Rawlings Baseball

best father's day gifts with sports team popcorn tins — Sports Team Popcorn Tins

best father's day gifts with a personalized hockey puck — All-Star Dad Personalized Official Hockey Puck

Consider team-themed clothing (T-shirts and hats are always great), sports gear (new equipment, accessories, etc.), customized items (a golf towel or hockey puck with his name on it), or even food to make his next tailgate party a huge success.

Best Father’s Day gifts for the outdoorsy dad

If it’s outdoors, your dad loves it. Whether he’s planning a fly fishing trip out west or barbecuing in the backyard, you can always count on him to have a little dirt under his fingernails from his latest outdoor adventure.

best father's day gifts with personalized fishing lure — Hugs & Fishes Personalized Fishing Lure

best father's day gifts with Moose Munch Popcorn — Moose Munch Premium Popcorn Classic Duo

best father's day gifts with monogram trucker hat — Fishing Monogram Embroidered Trucker Hat

The best gift you can give your outdoorsy dad is spending time with him doing what he loves. Take him on a camping trip, help him enhance the landscaping, or simply go for a walk at a nearby park.

If you want to get him something tangible, look into some new survival gear, exploration-themed items, and rugged clothing designed to facilitate his next venture into the wild.

Best Father’s Day gifts for the outgoing dad

Does the room light up when your dad enters? Does everyone at the local watering hole know him by name? (If so, is his name Norm?) Is he always on the go, enjoying various activities with his friends?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, your dad is probably the outgoing type, and is a candidate for gifts that fit his extroverted personality.

best father's day gifts with personalized utensil set — You Name It! Personalized Utensil Set

best father's day gifts with Gourmet Dipped Fancy Strawberries — Gourmet Dipped Fancy Strawberries

When in doubt, just remember that your dad will be happy with any gift that is thoughtful and shows how much you care about, love, and appreciate him.

DIY Father’s Day Gifts for the Beer-loving Dad

Not sure what to plan for Dad this Father’s Day? How about organizing a beer tasting event in his honor! Thanks to an increasing appreciation for quality beer production, new breweries are popping up all over the place. In fact, there’s a good chance you have one right in your neighborhood or close by. Check with your local establishment and see if you can do a DIY Father’s Day gift with an event right at the brewery. Leaving the beer to the experts gives you more time to focus on the decorations and fun details that make Dad feel loved and honored for all he does!

Some places near where I live serve only beer and not food. If that’s the case by you, and you have to bring in your own munchies, I’ll let you in on a little secret: Cheese goes with everything! Harry and David has some fantastic gourmet foods available featuring various artisanal cheeses and other savory snacks in its Father’s Day gift collection. Choose one to bring along to the tasting, or send one to someone special that you can’t be with to let them know how much you care.

DIY Father’s Day gifts: flowers

For me, it’s not a celebration without flowers, and that holds true for Father’s Day, too. It’s a fact that flowers make people feel good, and dads are no exception.

Here are a few DIY Father’s Day gifts to bring the beauty of flowers to your beer tasting celebration.

Upcycled beer bottle vases with sunflowers

A photo of diy father’s day gifts with upcycled beer bottles

How perfect are these sunflowers?! The bright and bold beauties are one of my favorite summer flowers. The individual tin letters are inexpensive and available at craft stores everywhere. Use recycled amber beer bottles for the vases. Wash them out to make sure they are clean of any residue, and then fill them with water. Loop a letter around the neck of each bottle and put a single sunflower in each one, making sure to first cut the bottom of the stem at an angle.

A photo of diy father’s day gifts with a beer bottle vase

A single sunflower and chalkboard hangtag are the perfect decorative touches. They make this bottle of beer a great DIY Father’s Day gift and party decoration!

A photo of diy father’s day gifts with beer bottle vases

An even simpler way to display flowers for Dad is to look for brand names and/or labels that speak to the occasion, such as Big Daddy IPA, or your dad’s personality, like, perhaps, Rebel. There are so many great beer bottles out there to choose from. Use these on a buffet table, as a centerpiece, or anywhere that can use of little pop!

Beer mug o’ blooms

A photo of diy father’s day gifts with mug o' blooms

This beer mug floral arrangement is as easy to put together as it is fun to admire. It incorporates carnations, and is a great decorative idea to make for Father’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, or any other occasion when beer is on the menu.

Check out the step-by-step instructions for this DIY Father’s Day craft that looks so cold and refreshing you almost want to drink it. (But don’t! It’s made of acrylic ice rock crystals.)

DIY Father’s Day fun and games: How well do you know dad’s taste in beer?

Here’s a game that everyone at the party can play together. It’s a blind taste test and a guessing game, and all you need is these printable beer tasting sheets (and some beer!). Dad uses one tasting sheet to rate each of the special craft beers you get for him, and the rest of the family uses the other to decide how they think their dad will rate each beer.

A photo of diy father’s day gifts with beer, pretzels, and a beer tasting sheet

After the blind taste test, someone gathers the answer sheets and determines, based on the number of matching answers, which family member knows Dad’s taste in beers the best!

DIY Father’s Day gift idea: Beer cap magnets with personal photos

Adding personal touches makes a celebration seem that much more intimate. I love incorporating photos into crafts whenever possible. A cute way to display photos for your dad’s beer tasting is to use galvanized sheets or bulletin boards and magnets made from beer bottle caps.

A photo of diy father’s day gifts with beer cap magnets with photos

These couldn’t be easier to make. You only need three things besides the bottle caps, and everything is available at your local crafts store.

What you need

Bottle caps
¾” round magnets
¾” cork circles
Glue or glue dots

What to do

Put a glue dot on the cork circle and attach it to the bottle cap.
Put a glue dot on the magnet and attach it to the cork circle you just attached to the bottle cap.

That’s it!

Personalized barware

If you don’t fancy yourself the crafty type but still want to get your beer-loving dad something that shows you care, check out the personalized barware items available on 1-800-Flowers.com.

Cheers to all the dads out there!

25 Ways to Say ‘Dad’ in Different Languages

He is always in your corner. He’s your biggest fan — he’s your dad. While it may be hard to find the words to thank him for all he’s done for you, with our help, you can at least address your dad in several different languages, should the need arise.

Here are 25 ways to say “Dad” in different languages (just remember to call him this Father’s Day!).

dad in different languages with a bonsai next to a board that says "happy father's day"

How to say ‘dad’ in different languages

Afrikaans: Pa
Albanian: Baba
Arabic: أب (‘ab)
Armenian: Հայրը (Hayry)
Bangla: বাবা (Bābā)
Basque: Aita
Bulgarian: татко (Tatko)
Catalan: Pare

Chinese: 爸 (Bà)
Croatian: Tata
Czech: Táto
Danish: Far
Dutch: Pa
Estonian: Isa
Filipino: Tatay
French: Papa
Greek: Μπαμπάς (Bampás)

Hawaiian: E Pāpā
Hindi: पिता (Pita)
Hmong: Txiv
Hungarian: Apu
Icelandic: Pabbi
Indonesian: Ayah
Irish: Daid
Japanese: パパ (Papa)