Happy Father's Day to All Dads!
I've been watching the Father's Day commercials on TV, and they are really starting to frustrate me. Why are dad's treated with such disrespect? Come on! Do you REALLY think most fathers want new tools for a gift? That's like running an ad for vacuums for Mother's Day. Can you imagine the uproar that would cause? Seriously.
Maybe I'm sensitive, or maybe I was just raised a little differently, but one commercial I saw yesterday advertised nothing but lame clothing and a watch. These are all things (tools included) that Dads are going to be buying themselves anyway. They need to be dressed, and the tools are probably being used to fix something for their wives and children anyway. It just seems disrespectful to me.
Now I will admit that there are times a good tool makes an excellent gift. If your husband or father has asked specifically for something, then by all means, get it for him! Just picking random tools because they are on sale, though.... that's going to sit in the garage gathering dust. Boring. The idea holds true with clothing as well. If there is something Dad wouldn't ordinarily spend the money on but you know he really wants, go for it. Another tie or golf shirt.... to me that just shows that you really don't know the man you are claiming to honor. Gift giving and me don't get along very well to begin with, so that's probably the real source of my frustration. I hate how holidays make us feel obligated to spend money.
Daniel asked me a couple days ago to not get him anything. I am going to do that, even though I usually cheat. To be honest, I have NO idea what I could possibly get for him, and he asked me not to feel stressed about it. I'm going to take advantage of his understanding. I wish it were different, but even if we had all the money in the world right now the only thing I could even guess Daniel would like is a treadmill. That is definitely NOT in the budget at the moment!
My dad is getting a couple books. It's become a tradition of sorts. My dad loves jokes, trivia, and comics, and we love hearing him relay what he has read. Every time I go to the thrift store or pass the library book sale (weekly), I stop and see if there is a book that Dad would enjoy. I collect all of them until a gift giving opportunity arises. Sometimes Dad gets two books, sometimes he gets many. This Father's Day he will be getting one bathroom reader and one book based on the TV show "Myth Busters." I can't wait to see what he thinks of the Myth Busters book since he hasn't seen the show to my knowledge.
Well, no matter what you got your dad this year, I hope you have a great time. The important part is spending time together or stopping to let Dad know you were thinking of him. Happy Father's Day!
11 comments:
You proved a really good point in this post Karen!
xoxo -Shar
Thank you Shar. I know many will disagree with me, but I feel strongly that fathers are really treated unfairly compared to mothers.
I agree with your hubby - no gift purchase is required for me. The best gift for me would just to let me have a morning of peace and quiet. That would be a very nice gift.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment Wayne. In this society where we are always running around like crazy, a morning of peace and quiet sounds like a beautiful gift. I hope you get that this year!
It seems strange reading posts about Fathers Day. In Australia it's the first Sunday in September.
My hubby is one of those people who loves tools (must be co's he's a mechanic) but I refrain from buying them for him because he's so particular. Buying for men is damn hard I think, so the peace and quiet kinda would be nice.
I hope Dan has a nice Fathers Day and I totally envy your dad's gifts, sounds very suited to his likes (and mine LOL).
I agree with you about the gift giving with holidays and sometimes us feeling obligated to give a gift or two. Hubby and me haven't exchanged gifts for a few years, not even cards these days, LOL, because of our budget, but I think doing something special every day for someone we love is so much more better than having a single day where we pour on the praise and the gifts, know what I mean?
I like the tradition you started with the books for your dad too; its neat because you go out of your way to look at unique places for them too; you just don't go into a book store or Amazon.com but you keep an eye on them throughout the year; very clever!
betty
My husband got a super clean house (no really, I steam cleaned the carpets, dusted and polished the shelves and woodwork, waxed the floors and everything. He's a neat-freak with aspergers so this is the kind of gift he LOVES) He also got breakfast in bed this morning (made by our 9 and 11 year old girls) homemade cards and a bike ride with the family. We give him things we can't buy on Father's day, because we spoil him throughout the year with bought gifts (we spoil everyone that way though).
He loved it. We use the weekend to treat him, just like I get the weekend when Mother's Day rolls around.
As for tools, I can't buy them for him anyway, I wouldn't know what the hell to get, let alone if it was a good brand. It would be the same as me asking him to pick up foundation at Sephora. Not a good idea. Lol.
Also (off topic) LOVE the DailyMile widget!!! <3
I'm no fan of the concept of Father's Day and Mother's Day. (the latter makes me feel sad as neither me or my husband still have one) It's all just commerciality. Mick will get a Mars Bar and Dad a few beers, but more importantly, lots of love.
Loved ones should be appreciated every day, in whatever way makes them happy. That's what love does.
McGuffy's Reader
http://www.mcguffysreader.blogspot.com
My hubby is pretty easy for all holidays... I'd rather he get himself something he really wants even if it isn't a holiday. Today all he wants it to relax and do what he wants to do.. which is basically nothing! So that's what he's getting. :)
It seems like many dads want to just hang out and not feel they need to get anything done. My hubby is enjoying time doing exactly that!
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