Party 411 Holidays

Cater to Dad on Father's Day

Who teaches you how to play sports? Who helps you turn sofa cushions into forts? Who puts training wheels on your bike? Who embarrasses you in front of the person you like? Who takes you to see your favorite sports team? And who is always up for some ice cream? The answer to all of these questions is your father, of course. So why not take some time this Father's Day to make dad feel special? What does he like to do with his spare time (when he has spare time)? Is he a fan of shopping or is going to sporting events his passion? Maybe he longs to spend hours relaxing on the couch in peace, with the TV remote in one hand and a tasty beverage in the other hand. Some dads love to rough it in the wilderness armed with only a tent and a fishing rod. Make dad feel special by giving him a day filled with a few of his favorite things.

Multiple components of this theme can be combined, or stick with one track based on dad's preferences.

Invitations

Most of the time, Father's Day celebrations are very informal and do not require invitations. However, you can choose to make this day special by giving the only invite (especially crafted by you) to the guest of honor, your dad.

Shopping Dad - Invite your dad to join you for a shopping spree. Make a collage with coupons for all of his favorite products. While moms like to shop for items to enhance and promote beauty, dads seem to enjoy shopping for any and all items that they perceive as a great bargain. On the opposite side of the invitation make sure to write some heartfelt sentiments so that dad knows how you feel about him.

Relaxing Dad - Entice dad with an invitation that looks like the TV guide. Inside the invitation write a mini schedule so that it looks like the inside of the TV Guide. Since you will want to let dad sleep in on his special day you can write, "To Be Announced" from 8:00am to 11:00am. At 11:00am write, "Brunch in Bed." After "Brunch in Bed," be creative. How does your dad like to wind down? You don't have to plan the entire day, but make sure to write in a few ways that dad likes to relax. Along with his brunch make sure to hand him the Sunday paper as well as the TV remote control.

Sports Fan Dad - Attach your father's invitation for his special day to a program from his favorite sports team. In the invitation, tell him that he is in store for a day that will "knock (him) out." Tailor the inside message to his favorite sport. If he is a baseball fan write, "I hope your day is as special as a grand slam."

Wilderness Dad - Lure your dad away from the house with an invitation that is hidden inside the front cover of the book, Camping for Dummies. Invite dad to let you learn how to camp and live off of the land from him, "the Master." (I know it sounds corny but I guarantee that he will jump at the chance to show off his camping/wilderness survival skills.)

Try a Party411 custom caricature of dad surrounded by all of his favorite things. It makes a cool gift and looks great framed.

Decorations

Decorating for Father's Day should be fun and simple. Different kinds of flowers always add beauty and fragrance to any room, and are easy to arrange for just about any theme. It is likely that dads don't give any thought to what the place looks like, and just glad to hang out with the family.

Centerpieces

Shopping Dad - In the middle of the table, place a few of dad's favorite items to buy at a bargain price. Wrap a huge and colorful bow around your bargains and let dad add them to his collection.

Relaxing Dad - Along with fragrant candles, place a bonsai tree in the middle of the table. The combination of these items will promote serenity and a calming fragrance throughout the room.

Sports Fan Dad - Place a few different items with dad's favorite team's logo on them in the middle of the table. If dad enjoys playing sports more than watching sports, place some small items on the table that will help him master his favorite sport. For example, if your dad enjoys playing golf decorate the table with different colored golf tees. Place a new set of golf balls, golf club covers, and a golf towel in a basket in the center of the table. For more unique gift ideas for the golfer, click here.

Wilderness Dad - Because of the outdoor theme, you can fill a basket in the center of the table with a variety of tools that are necessary for a successful jaunt in the wilderness. You will want to include a compass, flashlight, lantern, blanket, first aid kit, and a Swiss Army Knife in this centerpiece. Let dad keep it as part of his gift.

Menu

The food served at this party is not really important as long as dad is not the person in charge of cooking (unless of course he is a chef extraordinaire and would get great pleasure from cooking). Since it is a day of his favorite things, why not take dad to his favorite restaurant?

Another fabulous idea is to gather the family together and let everyone take part in cooking dad his favorite meal. Do not let him in the kitchen while the meal is being made, though, or he might try to get in on the cooking. Let smaller children help set the table or make place cards for everyone at the table. (In an informal gathering place cards are not necessary but they will keep the smaller children busy.)

Activities

Shopping Dad - Take a small shopping bag from one of dad's favorite stores and place "coupons" inside to help facilitate a shopping spree on Father's Day. The first coupon is for a "bag holder" to escort your dad on his spree (this would be you). The next coupon is for a "shopping snack". You will purchase the snack, of course. Shopping is difficult and your dad will need a snack to keep up his strength. Another coupon is for a "cart pusher". You can't expect your dad to push his own shopping cart on his special day! The last goody in the bag should be an envelope with a gift certificate to his favorite store (or give him a few smaller gift certificates to different stores). It's a lot more fun for him to shop if he doesn't have to pay the bill.

Relaxing Dad - Gather together all kinds of goodies to put into a basket to help ensure that dad has a relaxing day. Some items to include in dad's relaxing basket are dad's favorite snacks, , beverages, a new lounging outfit, and a pair of new slippers. Some of the other necessities for dad's day of relaxation are the TV Guide, the TV remote, a candle that smells like the ocean (or something equally comforting), and a full-body massage mat to help dad completely relax.

Sports Fan Dad - Take dad to watch his favorite sports team in action. If there isn't a game that day, give him some tickets and a promise to go to the game with him when his team is back in town. If dad loves to golf, take him to the driving range or the golf course. Offer to carry his golf clubs and drive the cart all around the course.

Wilderness Dad - Invite your dad to join you for a weekend camping in the wilderness or a day of fishing. Make sure that dad is equipped with all of the necessities for your weekend/day outdoors. Click here for a picnic basket fit for a king. Click here to see the all-in-one camping tool.

Visit the Shops@Party411 for a Father's Day Golf Basket, a Thanks a Million Basket, or silver plated Keychain to give your dad. Paper products, party favors, party wearables and novelties are also available.

Make your dad feel like one in a million and help celebrate his greatness with a few of his favorite things! Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there from the Party Girl and the Party-ettes!

� Party411.com