I Love You Dad! Father's Day Tips, Heartwarming Messages and 9 Fantastic Gift Ideas(2020)

Did you know Father’s Day has been celebrated for over 100 years now? It began way back in 1909 thanks largely due to the efforts of a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd from Spokane, in Washington, USA. It was while she was attending a church service honouring mothers she realised she wanted a day to celebrate her father who had raised her and her four siblings after their mother passed on. She wanted to observe Father’s Day on June 5, her own father’s birthday but eventually the day was celebrated on 19 June 1910.

Celebrating fatherhood may well date back to the Middle Ages and there are records of it being celebrated on March 19 in the name of Saint Joseph, Jesus’ father figure. Many countries around the world also have their own day to honour fathers but the third Sunday in June has become commonly accepted as International Father’s Day in most parts of the world including India.

Dodd’s story became popular because it led to a legalised holiday in the USA and then passed on to other countries, but all said and done, do we really need a specific day to honour and celebrate fathers? Not at all. Read on to find gifts and ways to make your old man’s day, whether it be Father’s Day or not.

The best gifts are those that bring back the sweetest memories - pictures, photo albums or frames, plaques and wall hangings, gifts with a memory woven around it are some ideas to get you started. Did he always buy you a pair of shoes for your birthday? Return the favour by getting him a fabulous pair of shoes with a note reminding him of all the years he bought them for you. Parents are happiest when they feel their children understand their actions were guided by love, and rarely expect anything in return for the years of caring, providing and love they put into raising their children. Look back to the fondest memories of your childhood and buy gifts that can bring that memory alive.

If your father happens to the practical sort of man, things he can put to use will be ideal for him. For years he paid for every little thing you needed, how about looking after your old man for a change. He may not need you to, but will be touched by the gesture. Socks, handkerchiefs, ties, belts, wallets, shoes, grooming products, no item is ordinary or mundane when given with love.

Such gifts need not be bought at a store - darn his clothes and sew on loose buttons on his clothes as a Father's Day Gift. Buff his shoes to a high shine, give his car a spring cleaning, or send your parent's out to a nice movie, dinner date or holiday whil you offer to look after younger siblings or the house. It can be literally anything he needs.

Let's face it, your dad probably has a well established practice or career and is able to buy everything he ever needs or fancies. What can you give him then? The answer lies in the things that give him the greatest pleasure, be it a sport, a hobby, an idle pursuit or even his favourite foods. Does he love his beer? If his pet peeve is how quickly it gets warm, give him a can sleeve to keep his favourite drink cool for longer. Is he always tinkering around with his toolbox and trying to fix things? Buy him a multipurpose portable tool so his favourite passtime goes where he does. If he loves gadgets buy him the coolest new toy in stores and he will be happy as a clam.

Watches as gifts for men never gets old. Women have loads of other accessories but for a man a good watch is his single best accessory, akin to jewellery. There is a mind boggling variety of watches available but that doesn't matter here, what does is how much you can spend. You don't want to buy a cheap present for your dad but you will need a budget of at least Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000 for a good watch. He isn't one of your friends or a kid at college, he must wear a watch fitting his age, and those kinds cost money. So venture here only if that kind of spending doesn't leave you broke; there are several other options.

The Fossil Men's The Minimalist Three-Hand Light Brown Leather Watch is an elegant timepiece with the kind of high quality leather strap that looks better as it ages. It has a quartz movement and a 44 mm case. It is also water resistant to 5 ATM, meaning it can be worn while swimming in a shallow pool and will withstand a few spashes in the sink. Buy it for Rs.8,995 on paytmmall.com

Everybody needs a weekend bag for short trips or to go to the gym and if your old man's trusty duffel bag is starting to show signs of wear, perhaps it's time to buy him a new one. You know he will hang on to the old one till it literally gives way, so give him a new one before that happens. Canvas duffel bags and leather weekenders are very popular and if you see one you think he will like go ahead. However do check if it has a waterproof lining. This is a useful feature not just for the wet weather but even otherwise as his things will be safe in case of spills.

We liked the look of the Rains Weekend Bag available on dressinn.com. Made of polyester, it has a waterproof zip and a smooth, soft shell. If your dad isn't the kind to use fancy bags made in leather and prefers something he wouldn't mind roughing around, this is the bag for him. It is as ideal for a weekend away as it is serving as a gym bag. Buy it for about Rs.4,892

Isn't this eye glass holder rather nice? These have been around for a few years now and every time you saw one you probably thought how it would be great for either one or both of your parents, whichever one is constantly loosing their glasses, or leaving them in damage prone areas. Well, now is a great a time as any to give your dad one. This Eye Glasses Holder is hand carved in shisham wood right here in India, so you'd be doing a small favour to local handicrafts as well. If he dislikes trees being cut down for rampant human consumption, you can also assure him the wood has been sourced from dead trees. Buy it for Rs.1,216 on Uncommon Goods.

If your dad is one of those who loves his small drink in the evenings, then consider giving him something that will make his unwinding session special. How about whiskey glasses that have been personalised with a lovely message for him? This classy set of two glasses from desains.com engraved especially for him will surely take the pride in his bar cabinet! With a capacity of 250ml these glasses are from premier glassware brand Ocean. To personalise you can add his initials, a message or even a date. Get it on the site for Rs. 845. There are a number of other design options on the site so just look around and find the one for your dad!

The secret behind every well dressed man's impeccable grooming is the amount of effort he takes to care for his fine pieces of clothing. Buying expensive and tasteful items of clothing made from fine fabrics is only half the story. It's how they are cared for during cleaning, storage and before wearing that speaks volumes to a man's attention to grooming. Your dad too would have several such items that he values. Give him a luxury garment care kit to help him care for his prized clothes better.

The Laundress Garment Care Kit includes wooden clothing brush, a wash and stain removal bar 56 gm, fabric freshener 250 ml, a starching solution 250 ml, static solution 60 ml, and a bottle of crease release 60 ml. He can use the brush to remove lint, pet hair and fuzz; the spot removal bar is allergen-free and the fabric freshener can even be used for luggage, closets and car seats. The static and crease release solutions are in travel sized bottles so he can slip them in his bag for a trip. All the products have the label's 'clean laundry' scent, which is a blend of lily, jasmine, musk, sandalwood and citrus. Order this kit for about Rs.9,500 from mrporter.com.

Everyone likes to be told they are loved and have special place in someone’s heart, no one more so than parents. They do know you love them but telling your father that every now and then will warm his heart like no other gift. Most parents also wonder how good a job they did as parents, whether they taught you well, and most importantly, what you think about them. Don’t be fooled by that stern mask that your father may still employ, even now that you are an adult; there is a deep pool of emotion bubbling right under the surface.

Gifts that tell him what his place in your life will forever be his favourite presents. If you really want to melt his heart give him this First Memories Canvas. A solid wood frame measuring 6 inches in height and 18 inches across is covered with a canvas print, one bearing a love quote and the other a hero sentiment. Pick one that best expresses you, and add a one line message of your own in 40 characters. Order it for about Rs.2,035 from gifts.com.

Buying him a gift and giving him a hug are not enough, you need to tell the man who nurtured and raised you how important he is to you, how much he is loved, respected and looked up to. We know all these things and he probably does too, but how often do you actually tell him the words, 'I love you'? We as a people are hesitant to put emotions into words and he may likely not know how to respond, but sometimes those words must be said. Try saying them, it will be a moving experience for both of you. And if you want to say more, which we enthusiastically recommend, here's a little help.

Making your father feel loved for a day is a small thing to do for a man who spent years looking after you will love and so much devotion. He may not even be expecting a present at all. Parents give of themselves so selflessly but expect almost nothing in return, other than perhaps some love and appreciation. Serve your dad breakfast in bed, or make him his favourite dish, you can even get away with giving him a handmade card.

These are really small gestures that require barely any time and effort. What will really touch him is the fact you took time out specially for him. Now that you are a grown up with your own responsibilities, he will gladly take any time you can spare. Spend time with him on a regular basis, give him hugs and kisses, share details of your life with him and ask him for advice. Instead of waiting for those few days in a year like his birthday or Father's Day, these will help you stay connected with him always.