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If you’re anything like me, you might be scrambling to purchase a gift or at least plan a little something for Father’s day because you were either too weighed down with house chores and “work stuff” or too forgetful and scatterbrained to even remember what day of the week it is.
No one’s judging. We try.
Last week, I knew I should get my butt moving to plan something for father’s day, but having just finished unpacking our stuff ( …8 or a dozen luggage…I’m not sure anymore) in the in-law’s house, my brain was sloshing around too much it hurt to think.
I did pop on over at Amazon and found a few things that I know he would love, like this travel mug and this car charger.
I also found those that he desperately need, like this Food Jar with a folding spoon (his Tupperware one is stained and smelly) and this RFID Blocking Wallet.
After my brain minions have a quick debate, I settled with the wallet because I’m super paranoid that all his identification and credit card information will be “scanned” in his back pocket without him realizing it like what happened to this fellow.
Apparently, it is possible for anyone with an RFID scanner to grab all the data you keep in your wallet, just by getting close enough for the RFID reader to send radio waves to the object, like your credit card containing an RFID tag.
Will the wallet work? I’m not sure. But it looks similar to my husband’s old wallet, and the RFID blocking feature is something like a bonus for me.
They say that the chances of getting “skimmed” is rare, but if you are as paranoid as I am, they say this RFID blocking wallet will do a good job of blocking the radio waves.
The only thing I don’t like about it is its design, so I’d still go with the first wallet I mentioned.
Anyway, if you are too late for purchasing anything off Amazon, I’ve got you. Here are some wonderful last minute ideas for dads on father’s day.
1. Clean his man cave. The garage. The shed. Wherever.
I know some dads don’t like their stuff being touched, so if he’s like this, you can just sweep the floor or wipe the shelves.
If he’s not bothered by anyone going through his tools, you can go ahead and organize them in a way that you think he’d want it. You can get him this if he is the I’ll-clean-and-organize-it-myself type. :).
2. Let him spend the day how he wants it.
Like with moms, dads have their own ways to de-stress. It might be fishing, bowling, or golfing, or a night out with his drinking buddies, whatever it is, let father’s day be a day when he can do more of what he usually likes to do on his free time.
Or maybe he’s the be-with-my-family kind of guy? If so, he’d probably like to spend the day out with his wife and kids, watch a movie, picnic at the park, ice cream on the beach?
Let him decide where and how to spend his day. Or maybe he wants some alone time? Let him have it; you can have him the rest of the year.
3. Take notice of what he needs even if he forgets it himself
I should really take my own advice. Last weekend, hubby and I were shopping for shoes for our daughter.
I was looking around when he asked me if I needed anything too. I was too shy to ask for anything because looking down, I saw his shoes were all tattered and falling apart.
I told him I didn’t need anything but that I’d feel better if he bought a new pair of his own. He just shrugged and changed the subject.
That’s how he is.
He’s too cheap to take care of himself and too gallant when it comes to me and the kids. I don’t like the way he treats himself.
If your hubby is anything like mine, take note of what he needs because he surely wouldn’t be bothered to get one for himself.
4. Let him know what a great provider he is and how awesome of a dad he is to his kids
Like I said, he puts the needs of his family first before his own. Make him feel appreciated for his sacrifices as a provider and pillar of the family.
This applies to any father; I don’t know of any dad who doesn’t want to feel appreciated. A simple “thank you because..” or “I love you because..” is enough to make a father feel cherished.
Another way to do this is to serve him well. Again, by serving him, I don’t mean that you are lowering yourself and putting him on a pedestal.
I’m reminding you that you are his support, the wind beneath his wings and that you are the cheerleader of his life.
I know this will sound too Stepford wife -ish, but I found it the best way to make my hubby feel loved and appreciated is by being a good homemaker. I always want him to be excited to come home.
I do this by making sure that whenever he comes home from work, the house is clean, dinner is ready, and the kids aren’t destroying anything for a while.
I struggle with this, especially with the cleaning part. But one thing I always make sure of is to have dinner prepared for him by the time he gets to our door.
I want him to appreciate coming home to a nice smelling house, with food on the table, with me and the kids greeting him home.
5. Protect his image
I’m not telling you to lie, but I am telling you that anything you say about your husband will reflect on you as his wife. Anything anyone says about him will say a lot about you and your family.
This is important because it will affect how people would want to deal with you.
It’s not always the case, but I found that whenever something good is said about the father, the family seems more solid and harmonious.
So uplift him and be there for him when he’s feeling down. Be his protector as he is yours.
My list will not only apply to husbands but to all fathers, although the approach or method may differ.
But I hope you can do at least one of these things and maybe see a smile on his face this father’s day.
Related Reading: 5 Non-Material Gift ideas for Mothers
Do you think I’m wrong in some points? What are your plans for father’s day? I’d love to know!
Have a wonderful weekend!