So you want to do something really special for Father’s Day (20th June, in case you’ve forgotten), but the uncertainty around what you might and might not be allowed to do is putting you off booking something. Never fear – you can make this year’s big day the best celebration of your dad, ever. Here are three ideas you can do from home that he’ll love just as much as a day out.
1. Barbecue in the backyard
It’s your dad’s day, so order the finest cuts of his favourite meats. If you have a local butcher, try there first, as butcher’s meat is normally top quality.
Then prepare some tasty salads – if he’s the sort of guy who thinks salad doesn’t belong at the barbecue, make sure yours has things you know he loves in there so he can’t resist!
Check all the barbecue gear is clean since the last time it was used, make sure you have all the utensils you’ll need, and that there’s plenty of charcoal. To add an extra special flavour, head to a garden centre (or a local woodland) and pick up some chunks of wood (oak and apple are both good) to smoke along with the charcoal.
Then make your own sauces to go with the meat. You’ll be surprised how incredible they taste if you make them yourself.
Oh, and if your dad is the sort of guy who has to do the barbecue, let him – it’s his day afterall.
2. A backyard picnic
Again, you’ll know what your dad’s favourite foods are, so make sure you pack as much as you can in there. Grilled meat, fresh fish, French cheeses, rhubarb crumble – you won’t have to transport it any great distance, so go wild!
Organise the picnic blanket, cutlery and crockery in advance with perhaps a bit of light music in the background (stuff he likes, obviously).
Then, depending on his tastes, bring a board game, a croquet set or a frisbee to make a whole afternoon of it. And if he fancies a nap in the warm sun after all the food and activity, leave him to it.
3. Beer-tasting at home
There are plenty of shops online that specialise in craft beers from all over the world. Order a selection of ales your dad is almost certain not to have tried before, along with accompanying snacks – pretzels and peanuts are staples.
Then make a chart where you can rate each beer on different categories – appearance, aroma, flavour, aftertaste, and so on. Then make sure the beer’s chilled appropriately and your dad’s favourite music is playing, and get tasting! It’ll start seriously at first, but will soon degenerate into a very silly evening!
While a DIY Father’s Day is all well and good, don’t forget the little things that help to make the day really special, like a small gift and a lovely card – these are treasures he can keep and cherish.
