Our tips for the perfect Father's Day
Hooray for Dad!
When something’s broken and you can’t fix it, when you’re stranded and need picking up and of course when you need directions (even though you have an app on your phone), Dad is always there. With Father’s Day just around the corner, here at Cyberjammies, we’ve started racking our brains on how we can spoil the special men in our life and do something a little more exciting than giving a new pair of socks or gardening tool.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration or want to make this Father’s Day a bit different, here’s a few ideas to get you started.
For active Dads
If your Dad’s the active type, there are plenty of options you can organise yourself, without breaking the bank. Golf and Father’s Day go hand-in-hand and whilst you may not be up to the same standard as Dad, that doesn’t mean you can’t share his passion for the day. Mini-golf is an easy way for those of us that don’t know a birdie from an eagle to have some fun and if Dad is a keen player, to let him beat the rest of you (it is Father’s Day, after all). It’s also a great way to involve little ones and there are some fun-themed courses around. These days, they’ve spread a long way inland, from their traditional seaside home.
If Dad’s a thrill-seeker, and you can’t quite stretch to a ‘Grand Prix’ style experience. Why not take him Go-Karting? It’s a great way to spend the day, as a family and most venues allow children over the age of seven or eight to join in. Bowling is equally good family fun and there are new ‘American style’ venues popping up all over the place. With special ramps to roll the ball and flexible side bars in the lanes, little ones can also get involved.
Sometimes, it just great to get outdoors and have a wander in the great British countryside and parks and if the sun puts in an appearance, even better. From rural footpaths to coastal walks to a stroll in the park, this is something all generations can do together. If you decide to head out as a big family with Dad and Grandad, why not make a picnic and spend some time just enjoying each other’s company.
For Dads who like their food and drink
This is probably relevant to most Dads, Grandads and a large chunk of the rest of us too. Having someone cook for you, providing they’ve got a few basic skills, is always a treat. If you’ve got plans with wider family for the rest of the day, then why not treat your Dad to breakfast in bed. This really works with small children, who can help make a simple continental breakfast with hand-made menu cards to go with it. For those, who want to try something a little more involved, then cook Dad a roast dinner. Older kids can definitely get involved and even the smallest hands can stir gravy (under Mum’s watchful eye).
If Dad likes his beer and you don’t mind spending a little bit, then a trip to a brewery is a great way for Dad’s and grown-up kids to spend time together. There are breweries all over the country offering tours and tasting days, so search your local ones to see what’s on offer. Even better, find Dad’s favourite and if it’s not too far to go, check to see if they’ve got anything special planned for Father’s Day. Finally, if you want a gift that will last beyond Father’s Day itself, then why not buy a mixed crate (try bestofbritishbeer.co.uk) or sign Dad up for a subscription with a website such as honestbrew.co.uk or beerbods.co.uk.
For Dads who have everything
Some dads are just impossibly hard to buy for; everything you think of they’ve either got or you just can’t quite get the right thing to suit them If this is the case, then why not make something yourself. Pull together some of your favourite family photos and create a collage using an online tool. We like befunky.com and fotojet.com. Upload all your pics, have a play to get it how you want it and then save it to print out at home or on the high street. Just add a frame and you’ve got a great present. If this all sounds a little too technical, then you could also try Snappy Snaps who will pull all your pictures into a collage, print and frame it for you.
If Dad has a sweet tooth and you’ve got small children who love getting their hands messy, then spend an afternoon decorating a jar with glitter paint and ribbons, fill it with Dad’s favourite sweets and you’ve got a great personal and handmade pressie.
Small children equally like baking and if Dad fell into our previous category of liking his food and drink then homemade cookies, muffins or a cake will also go down a treat.
For Dads who never stop
This is probably true for most Dads (and mums too) so why not spend the afternoon or evening, just relaxing as a family. Maybe put together a jigsaw or play a board game; we love Cluedo and Monopoly. One of our favourite ways to spend time together is to find a family-friendly movie, open the popcorn, cuddle up on the sofa and share a few laughs. Obviously for us, being in our pyjamas, makes this all the more special but we’ll leave that up to you.