Five new traditions for father’s day

My Dad is my favourite man in the world, but I won’t be buying him a gift this Father’s Day.

On Mother’s Day, my mum—having successfully raised four children to adulthood—now basks in a bounty of flowers, chocolates and cards x 4. But come June, my father averages a measly 2.4 Father’s Day cards (and one of them probably a day late). So why the big difference?

We don’t really do Father’s Day in our house, partly because we don’t really do Father’s Day at church. On Mother’s Day we’ll have a special family service, with a Mother’s-Day-themed-sermon, culminating in the children presenting all the women of the church with daffodil posies. But Father’s Day doesn’t get a mention. Why are the Dads so hard done by?

I think it’s because Mothering Sunday in the UK is thought to be very traditional—it brings to mind serene images of Victorian servant girls visiting their families for one day a year, bearing simnel cake and spring flowers. It’s twee, but we love it. And hey—Mum’s are worth celebrating! No wonder Mother’s Day has embedded itself firmly into the church calendar.

On the other hand, for those of us on this side of the Atlantic, Father’s Day is said to be a commercial invention and (*shudder*)… An American import.

But Dads are worth celebrating! They may well have brought us up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6 v 1-4). They give us a glimpse of God’s compassion on his children (Psalm 103 v 13). They picture the benefits of God’s loving discipline (Hebrews 12 v 4-11). They help us to imagine God’s boundless generosity (Luke 11 v 11-13). Mine even anoints my car engine with motor oil (Psalm 23 v 5). Perhaps not all Dads are great—but lots of them are.

Earthly fathers give us a glimpse of God’s compassion on his children (Psalm 103 v 13)

So let’s honour our Dads by taking a leaf out of the Mother’s Day book. Here are five new Father’s Day traditions to get off the ground in 2015.

1. Breakfast in the car. Forget breakfast in bed—what kind of Dad wants to eat lying down? The real hunter-gatherer-man eats on the move, and might well welcome an excuse for a McDonald's Drive Thru. If you’re under 16 and a girl, he’s probably picking you up from some sort of sleepover anyway.
2. A letter of appreciation: Dads get a lot of sarcasm, rolled eyes and push back. But rather than just a card with a few hastily scratched lines, why not write a proper letter of appreciation? Or if you’re feeling poetic, a Dad’s day ditty. Just to let him know that, despite appearances to the contrary, he really is appreciated...
3. A special church service: Round up the Sunday School children to hand out flowers (men can appreciate flowers just as much as women). Get some Dads to sing something fun together. Have someone give a testimony about how they have been spiritually and practically helped over the years by their father. Preach on a Father related topic.
4. Special pictures. Younger children love to draw pictures, but why not make a formal or fun photo a part of your Father’s day rituals. Before lunch, or in the evening, gather together and have a team shot, or else dress dad up in something wild and heroic, and then post the resulting pictures online.
5. Offer to take the initiative on a game or activity for a change. Remember all those times when Dad tried to get you going out for a walk with the dog, or take him on at chess, or get you involved in a DIY project, or throw a ball with him, and you were like: “Nah… I’d prefer to sit in a dark room and stare at my phone”. Why not surprise (and exhaust) him by taking the initiative. “Come on Dad – let’s play ping pong – let’s go for a swim – I’ll arm wrestle you – Let’s have a discussion about politics.” See how long before he cracks and wants to lie in a dark room with his iPad...

Oh and don’t forget to Buy him a book ... because we’re the Good Book Company, that’s why!

Do you have any father’s day traditions—or suggestions for some new ones? Make your suggestion below.

Now you've seen this post, let us know what you think. Comment in the box below. You can also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel