Category: about holidays

Father’s Day is June 21st are you ready?

Father’s Day is June 21st. Kick off summer with Dad’s big day.

Dad. Superhero. Best Pal. No matter what he means to you, now is the time to let him know. (Even if he pretends not to care about all that stuff!) . Here is a quick summary of our posts.

Tucked in between Memorial Day weekend and July 4th is a holiday that many dads don’t take seriously. (At least, I know of one who simply laughs it off as a completely unnecessary fuss.)

But just because dad doesn’t make much of it doesn’t mean we should make Father’s Day any less special than it ought to be. Besides, this year, it’s the first day of summer. So you have all the more reason to celebrate.

Dads are a different breed. They’re cool alright. But they’re also funny and loud and huggable and hard to read at times.

So, what’s it going to be? Golf clubs or gadgets?
Tickets to a game or a TV? BBQ or beach?

* No worries! If you still haven’t figured out a gift for Dad, feel free to borrow some tips and ideas from our blog here.

* And regardless of where you are and what you plan to do, send a chuckle or two his way with our free Father’s Day ecards. From fishing to football to rock star dad, you’ll find an ecard to warm dad’s heart. Or maybe tickle him pink.

* He doesn’t check his email that often? No problem! Our Printable Frathers Day Cards section is your answer. Pick a card, add an image of your own or choose one of ours, type in your text, or choose a message and hit Print. Just make sure it reaches his hands on time!

There. So, now you have a gift idea. A free Father’s Day ecard. And a printed greeting card, just in case.

Right. Now go whip up that hearty Father’s Day breakfast and have a fabulous time with dad.

Happy Father’s Day!

Father’s Day? Bah!

-Rupa

Every time I think about going shopping for Father’s Day, I can almost hear my dad’s voice, saying, “Why on earth do you need to spend so much to say something I already know?”

Father’s Day? What’s that?

The part of the world where I come from, Mother’s day and Father’s day aren’t really a big deal and everyone goes about their lives on the premise that parents love children and children care about parents, no matter what the date or month.

Marketable Moments

But after moving to the USA, I started noticing how much was made out of these occasions. From talk shows to commercials, magazines to malls, you could tell what month or date it was merely by glancing at the displays or topics being discussed.

I kind of liked it. I began to see things in a new light. These occasions give people the chance to express their appreciation and love. It made sense to me because I had moved so far away and it gave me a chance to do something special for my parents, who, I knew, missed me terribly.

And so it was that I started sending my parents flowers, greeting cards, restaurant reservations, tickets to shows and other such gifts.

And they appreciated my efforts. They really did. But they just didn’t get it.

“No more Father’s Day gifts, Please!”

My dad would say over the phone, “Why did you spend all that money on a watch? Haven’t I taught you anything? Learn to save, young lady, save!” My attempts to explain that I really wanted them to have the gifts and that it made me happy to send them stuff, were lost in the echoes of his booming voice.

My mom would express how lovely the gifts were, but would also tell me not to spend so much on her. “If you’re happy, that’s the greatest gift we can ask for,” She would say.

“But, Ma” I would protest, “I want to do this. It’s no big deal really. It’s Mother’s day after all.”  But my arguments were completely lost on them.

To my parents, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are simply superfluous. They don’t need them to know how much their children love them. All they want is for their kids to be happy and to stay in touch.

After years of trying to convince them, I finally decided to give in. I thought to myself, “Well, whatever makes them happy.” It seems as if they would be happier if I didn’t spend as much. So, I decided to cut back on gifts this year and send them free ecards instead.

My mom loved the free Mother’s Day ecard I sent her. And guess what my dad will find in his inbox on Father’s Day!?

While I will be spending just a few minutes browsing and selecting a free Father’s Day ecard, my dad will probably be thrilled to learn that his daughter has finally learnt to save. And what better gift can there be?

Now, that’s what I call a win-win!

Fun Father’s Day Activities for the Family

by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway

If you are looking for a few fun and inexpensive ways to spend Father’s Day this year, you’re in luck!  You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to have fun with dad.

Go Fishing – If dad is an avid fisherman, why not surprise him and offer to take him fishing for the day?  Get all his gear ready to go, pack up a nice lunch, bring along the sunscreen and go fishing for the day.  Even if fishing isn’t your cup of tea, dad will appreciate the gesture.

Camping – Why not load up the family and go on a little overnight adventure?  If you don’t own an RV or camper, ask a neighbor or friend to borrow a tent and a few sleeping bags.   Just make sure you know how to put the tent up or it could be a very long night!   Bring along the cooler, ice packs, some dogs and fixin’s and his favorite beverage.  Oh, and don’t forget the smores!   Make sure you bring your cell phone, matches, flashlight and bug spray along too.  This will be a Father’s Day dad will never forget!

Game Night – When was the last time you played Twister?  If your family hasn’t played a board game in ages, now is the perfect time.  Whether you play a good game of Scrabble, Pictionary, Monopoly or Candy Land, board games are fun for the entire family.  And if you don’t happen to have any board games handy, no worries.  Just stop by your local thrift shop.  You can always pickup all sorts of games at yard sales for next to nothing too.  Once you have the games, whip up some simple appetizers and you are good to go.  Just make sure to have plenty of dads’ favorite drink on hand too.

Pack a Picnic – No matter what the weather is, Father’s Day is the perfect time for a family picnic. Even if it is pouring rain, you can still have the picnic.  Just set it up in the living room or family room if the weather is dreary or cold.  And if you don’t happen to own a picnic basket, area yard sales or thrift shops will have them.  Pack the basket with some sandwiches, potato salad, chips and dessert.  Throw in the plates, utensils, drinks, ice packs and blanket or table cloth and you are good to go.  Don’t forget bug spray, hand sanitizer and sunscreen.

No matter what you decide to do for dad, just make sure to send him free Father’s Day ecards.

Happy Father’s Day!

Fun Father’s Day Facts and Trivia

Just for Fun Father’s Day Facts and Trivia 

Father’s Day is right around the corner.   In honor of this very special day, why not take a stroll down memory lane and take a peek at the interesting facts about the origins and history of Father’s Day.  There are also some fun factoids as well.   

  • 2009 marks the 100 anniversary of the origins of Father’s Day.
  • Sonora Louis Smart Dodd is the founder of Father’s Day.  In 1909, she wanted to honor and do something very special for her father, William Smart.  Mr. Smart, a widower and Civil War veteran, was left to raise a newborn and five other children after Sonora’s mother died during childbirth. 
  • The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Washington, in June, 1910.
  • Father’s Day was celebrated on different dates until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed Father’s Day to be held on the third Sunday in June.
  • In 1972, President Richard Nixon made it permanent – the national observance of Father’s Day would be held annually, on the third Sunday in June.
  • Today, there are over 64 million fathers in the United States.
  • As of 2006, there are over 14,000 hardware stores and over 23,000 sporting good stores in the USA.
  • Almost 95 million Father’s Day cards were given to dads last year.
  • Believe it or not, ties are still a popular gift for Father’s Day.

 Happy Father’s Day! 

Pricey Mother’s Day Vs Budget-friendly Father’s Day

 

In the United States, Mother’s day ranks very high on the list of high budget occasions, lagging not too far behind Christmas and a couple of other holidays. Father’s Day on the other hand, doesn’t even come close most years. Why is it that we don’t spend as much on Dad as we do on Mom?

A few guesses –

a) Everybody knows – Mom appreciate gifts, flowers, cards and the whole Mother’s Day shindig a lot, while Dad couldn’t care less.

b) Mother’s day comes first. So we blow our budget in May and don’t have enough green saved up to splurge on Dad in June.

c) We just have more options when it comes to Mom. There isn’t much that Dad wants anyway.

d) Who are we kidding – Mom is way more special? (Ok, I admit. I am one. But that’s not why I added this option! Honest.)

 What do you think? a), b), c), d) or other? Share your thoughts. Let’s get this settled. Add your comments below.

 And while you’re thinking, don’t forget – no matter how much you spend, some of the best things are still free – like our selection of Free Father’s Day ecards. 

Gearing up for July 4th!

Memorial Day Weekend is here but it’s never too early to start planning your July 4th celebrations, is it?!

From baseball games to barbecues, block parties to parades, fireworks to picnics – do you ever wonder how on earth we came up with these countless ways to celebrate the Fourth?
And why not?!

Isn’t it just the best time of the year to celebrate? With allergy season behind you and winter months far from your thoughts, July 4th is the perfect date, falling smack in the middle of the calendar year.
Who can resist the beautiful outdoors with clear summer skies and warm, lazy, long afternoons that stretch well into the evening?!

If you think about it, July 4th is a celebration of not just the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, but of all things American.

Families plan the entire July 4th weekend, at times, the whole week around their favorite Fourth tradition. It is one of the busiest times of the year to travel, be it by road or air. Airline tickets for this weekend get booked months ahead. Tourists throng amusement parks, beaches and other attractions. This is the ideal family vacation time for most people because it coincides with the kids’ summer vacation and the weather is great in almost every part of the country, with a very few exceptions.

If there’s one holiday in the year that everyone in the family loves and looks forward to the most, I’m guessing it would be July 4th in most cases. And well, who wouldn’t like a low stress, high fun holiday anyway?

In coming posts, we’ll explore some of the favorite July 4th traditions, myths surrounding the 4th of July celebrations and other interesting aspects of this great American holiday. If you have a favorite Fourth tradition in your family or a funny or interesting memory of a particular July 4th, do write in and share it with us.

Fun Things to Do on Father’s Day

 

FAthers Day Fishing
FAthers Day Fishing

There are many fun Father’s Day activities that go beyond presenting Dad with a card and/or gift in the morning, but the real secret to knowing what to do with Dad is about knowing all about what your dad likes to do! Father’s Day is a special day to commemorate all the great things he does for the family throughout the year, so Father’s Day presents an opportunity to show him appreciation and to show him a good time. 

Hobbies: Getting Out

A father’s personal hobbies are a great place to start when thinking about what types of Father’s Day activities dad might enjoy. His interests will determine what type of outing to plan: 

  • Fishing: Organize a fishing trip, or a trip to the aquarium.
  • Cars: Take dad to a car show, or present him with tickets to an upcoming car show or parade event.
  • Hiking or biking: Organize a Father’s Day hike or ride through an enjoyable trail within driving distance, or if you live by the beach, rent bicycles for the whole family and ride the bike path along the shore.
  • Movies: Agree on a movie the whole family can enjoy and take dad out.
  • Music: Take dad to a concert or present him with tickets to an upcoming show that you know he’d enjoy.

Relaxation: Staying at Home

For some dads, staying at home and relaxing is the best Father’s Day present there is! Here are some ideas to help dad celebrate his special day at home: 

  • BBQ: Organize a cookout at home, and be sure to make dad’s favorite foods. You can make the home look special by making and hanging personalized streamers, posters and blowing up balloons. Alternatively, cooking his favorite meal, complete with a special sweet, is a great idea.
  • Movie night: Rent one or two movies that are your dad’s favorites and make an enjoyable family movie night out of it right in the living room, complete with freshly made popcorn and other snacks.
  • Chore-free day: Many dads spend the weekends doing work around the house. This Father’s Day, divide up Dad’s usual chores and inform him that today is his day off. Start the day fixing dad’s favorite breakfast and fetching his paper. On Father’s Day, he is king for a day!

 

Gift Ideas for Dad

Here are gift recommendations from top sites: 

Fathers Day History and Origin

Father’s Day: Two Points of Origin. 

      Father’s Day originated in the town of Spokane, Washington, in 1909, though it was actually celebrated for the first time a year earlier.  This perhaps makes Father’s Day the only major American holiday to have two completely different origins, coming from opposite ends of the country.

      The true beginning of Father’s Day can be attributed to Doctor Robert Webb, a minister at the Central United Methodist Church in Fairmont, West Virginia.  On July 5th, 1908, Dr. Webb delivered a sermon based upon the idea of the importance of fathers.  If mothers were important enough to have their own holiday, Webb believed, then surely we could afford fathers that same sort of appreciation. 

      Though Webb may have had the idea first, it wasn’t until a year later in Spokane that Sonora Smart Dodd actually put a name to it.  Ms. Smart, while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon delivered at her church, began to reflect on how in her life, her father had been a much more influential figure than had her mother.  She believed a “Father’s Day” was in order, to honor our fathers just as we already did our mothers on Mother’s Day. 

      Most other holidays we celebrate have a single point of origin or influence.  But Father’s Day is unique, in that it took two people, a thousand miles and a year apart, to think of the idea independently of one another. 

Mother’s Day Book Ideas for the Mom who loves to read

Go Mom

Go Mom

Still haven’t made up your mind about the perfect Mother’s day gift? Looking for something that’s thoughtful, meaningful and affordable? Below is a list of a few beautiful books that would be ideal for the Mom who loves to read. Whether it’s for your mom or for your wife on behalf of your young kids, or for a friend or sister who is a great mom, your choice is sure to meet with approval. Don’t forget to follow it up with free Mother’s Day ecards!  

 

Books for Moms to read with very young kids

Hush – A simple and beautiful Thai lullaby created by Minfong Ho and Holly Meade, this fascinating book will bring a smile to both baby and mom, as they follow the Mom’s efforts in getting the entire world around them to hush so baby can sleep.

 Cat’s Favorite Color  – What color do you think baby cat likes and why? Baby and mom will have fun figuring it out in this brightly illustrated book.

 My Mother’s Sari– Turn the pages of this lovely book with your kid and discover the many forms a mother’s colorful sari takes on in the eyes of her child.

Inspiring books that celebrate motherhood

LIFE with Mother – A photographic tribute with captivating images of mothers and children engaged in everyday activities as well as celebrating milestone occasions together. The book includes photographs of famous Moms such as Princess Di, Michelle Obama and others. 

Promises I Made My Mother –Includes a foreword by Ray Romano and features practical advice by Hollywood agent Sam Haskell who created the ‘Mississippi Rising’ benefit for Hurricane Katrina survivors.

The Love between a Mother and Daughter is Forever : If you find yourself at a loss of words when it comes to expressing the emotions you feel as a daughter for your Mom, this book might help you out. It features poems and reflections about the extraordinary bond between mothers and daughters. Popular Blue Mountain Arts authors and other renowned poets present their selections that span every emotion mothers and daughters experience ranging from joy to pain and covering everything in between.

Great with Child: Letters to a Young Mother  – Poet and writer Beth Ann Fennelly’s collection of letters to her pregnant friend, expressing the joys of motherhood and her experiences with raising a young daughter.

Hobby Books for Mom – Great Picks for DIY Moms!

Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts: An A-Z Guide with Detailed Instructions and Endless Inspiration 

No matter what type of craft Mom likes and regardless of her skill level, you can’t go wrong with this book. It has detailed instructions, easy to copy templates and numerous fantastic craft ideas that any DIY mom will love to try out.

 Feathering the Nest: Tracy Hutson’s Earth-Friendly Guide to Decorating Your Baby’s Room – perfect for a Mom-to-be

The author shares her passion for interior design and decoration and presents ideas for every type of baby’s room from traditional to international, all keeping the earth-friendly theme in view.  

Mothers Day Origins

Mother’s Day may seem like a holiday that has been celebrated forever in the U.S., but it wasn’t until 1914—less than 100 years ago—when Congress and President Woodrow Wilson officially designated this annual holiday on the second Sunday of each May that commemorates mothers. The recognition of this special day was spearheaded by Anna Marie Jarvis to honor the work of her mother, famous social activist Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis who fought for workers’ health and safety for the women who attended to wounded soldiers during the American Civil War. Ironically, after the holiday was declared Anna Marie spent the rest of her life campaigning bitterly against the holiday, because she did not believe that mainstream Mother’s Day activities did not commemorate mothers enough!

 Thankfully, you can send a free, personalized ecard to let your mother know how much she is appreciated any day of the year! You can include your photo and voice, too, for that extra special touch.

 Make Mom smile with a free, personalized ecards today!

 Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, www.AnnaJarvisHouse.com