How to Honor Father's Day Traditions

The first Father's Day was celebrated in 1908 in a little Methodist church in West Virginia as a way to commemorate the lives of several men lost in a nearby mine explosion. Though it didn't become an official holiday in the United States until 1972, Father's Day had nearly 64 years to become a cherished annual event throughout the country. In that time, the celebration developed some treasured traditions that continue to be associated with it. You can honor these Father's Day traditions each year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Bring your father breakfast in bed. Get up at least an hour before you expect your dad to be awake and get to work in the kitchen preparing all of his favorite breakfast foods. Serve it to him in bed on a tray, with the day's newspaper on the side.
2. Have lunch out at a nice restaurant. This is a time-honored Father's Day tradition. Select a place you know your dad enjoys, and make sure everyone in the household attends. Of course, you'll be picking up the tab!
3. Bring presents to your Father's Day lunch event. Each member of the family should have previously bought Dad a gift and wrapped it for the occasion. After the main meal, but before dessert, present Dad with his gifts, one by one.
4. Have a Father's Day picnic with the whole family. If lunch at a restaurant isn't your thing, a picnic is a fantastic alternative. Bring along your favorite sporting equipment, such as discs and soccer balls, so you can fully enjoy your time outdoors. Don't forget to bring the presents!
5. Organize a family reunion. If your family is large and includes lots of fathers, an annual get-together is a wonderful way to honor Father's Day. Rotate houses each year so the same person doesn't get overwhelmed all the time.

Tips & Warnings

• One of the most treasured Father's Day traditions that people honor all over the country is the giving of a tie. Even if your Dad doesn't wear ties, one person in the family should be designated to get him a tie each year. Many fathers have tie collections that include their annual Father's Day ties. Choose a different person to get a tie each year, and remember that when it comes to Father's Day ties, the uglier the better!
• If you can't decide what to buy for your father, a gift certificate to his favorite store is always a good idea. Everyone loves being able to choose their own gifts.
• Make sure you bring your camera to any Father's Day event. You'll want to commemorate the occasion with lots of photos.