What Dads Really Want on Father’s Day

The author with his little girl.

Quality family time right here.

 Us dads are always hard to buy for. We’ve gotten more ties, socks, wallets and other “manly” gifts than we can shake a stick at. But, what we really want is something altogether different. So, here are my top tips on how to create the perfect day for the perfect dad. Spoiler: It doesn’t involve socks or aftershave.

Let me sleep in.

For the love of G-d, even if I appear not to be fast asleep at 8:00 a.m. when our daughter wakes up, please just let me lie in peace for a few more minutes.

Give me a relaxed brunch.

Yes, I want breakfast food —pancakes, eggs, meat, the whole shebang. But, I don’t want to pay $50 per person to be herded in and out of a packed restaurant with a limited Father’s Day brunch menu. Let’s just enjoy a nice meal at home (as long as I don’t have to clean up).

Aim for sentimental gifts.

Don’t buy me some trendy gadget that you saw advertised as a “the perfect dad gift.” I have everything I want already and will only think about how much money was spent on that gift that could have been better spent on our family. Instead, I would like something personal, like a photo of us all together, that I can put on my desk or keep with me in the car. I’ll love it as long as it reminds me I’ve turned into a total sap since having a daughter—which is a priceless feeling.

Let me chill. 

Give me some time to lay on the couch with the dog and “watch” baseball. Yes, we all know that means we’ll be taking a post-brunch nap together. All dads want some time to relax couch-potato style.

Plan a family hang.

Make sure we have some time together. Whether it’s a short walk, some time in the park, or just hanging in the backyard, I want to be with my family. Because if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be a dad at all. The truth is, you—my family—are the most precious gift of all. Awwww.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there. See you on the couch.