Father's Day

I know that many of us will be thinking of Fathers Day on 21st June. Most people think of Father's Day as the one day in the year to celebrate your Dad. However, many see it as more than that - a day to not only honour your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life - whether as Stepfathers, Uncles or Grandfathers.

This year, like many of the past few years, it will be my husband, who I and my children will be celebrating on the 21st June.

There are a couple of versions as to who thought of the idea of a Father’s Day but one story is that it originated in 1909 when Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day". Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honour her father, William Smart, who was a Civil War veteran, and widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. When Mrs Dodd grew up she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.

So the first Father's Day was observed on in Spokane Washington in 1910 and in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's day."Eventually, it became official in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

So the actual beginning of Father’s Day was not all that long ago and the commercialisation of it, as we know of it today with the cards and gifts, did not come until much later.

It’s never easy to know what to do for that someone special on this special day. Breakfast in bed is certainly a good start with a card and special gift. E-cards seem to be the latest trend, but I prefer the personal touch and will be searching for that special card. Or, you could even make your own! Here are a few ideas for gifts:

· toiletries are always a good gift from shower/bath gels, soaps, eau de toilette/colognes, shaving creams
· they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach so you can’t go wrong with chocolates, delicious hand-made biscuits, hamper, or a special family meal
· razors, shaving brushes & shaving sets, watches
· dvds, gadgets, books
· weekend break, golfing holiday, spa holiday
· personalised items such as a t-shirt, cap, bag
· gift voucher for practically anything

The list is really endless.

No matter what you buy for that special Man he will love it as it has been picked by You.

What are you going to do this Father's Day?