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<p>I have it on good authority that the Cats thought it wise on occasion for them (the Cats) to fork over the “good stuff” as a make-up gift for Dad’s “hobby”–S and I go on adventure trips W is not interested in-- like to NZ, Costa Rica and next Iceland.</p>
<p>Smart Cats.</p>
<p>I am not an animal lover, but maybe it is time for me to get a cat.</p>
<p>Not such a big deal. I usually send my dad a card and call him on Fathers’ Day. I get H a card, too. (very hard to select the right cards for the two of them–they are both atypical fathers.)</p>
<p>H’s birthday is close to Fathers’ Day. I usually get him clothes or some random items that we need for the house/yard for both of these days. And we’ll have what he wants for dinner. Our kids are not the biggest admirers of their dad because, to be honest, he has had very little to do with their upbringing. The younger kids will probably make him cards. I will designate gifts I pick out as “from the kids.” I always felt obliged to recognize H on Fathers’ Day–I don’t mind it. (I wouldn’t say, “He’s not MY father. . .”)</p>
<p>Mothers’ day is similarly low-key with cards and “useful” gifts that I usually pick out myself. This year I got a new doormat and H repaired a couple pieces of patio furniture–exactly what I asked for. One year I bought myself a weed-eater.</p>
<p>Our kids will send their dad cards and call him on Father’s Day, occasionally get him a gag gift or a nice bottle of wine. I’ll get him a humorous card (he especially likes Hoops and Yoyo, God help us) and maybe an action DVD, if he’s somehow missed a good one. It used to be a great day for a round of golf, but he’s finding it hard to make time for that lately.</p>
<p>My own dad passed away many years ago. We’ll send dh’s father a card, call him, and send a Stew Leonard’s basket.</p>
<p>Men are hard to buy for.</p>
<p>Not if you ask them what they would like and tell them if they do not let you know then they get nada.</p>
<p>Some very hurtful person wrote:</p>
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<p>Just wow. </p>
<p>I wish your husband a Happy Father’s Day, while thanking the gods I do not share his unenviable situation.</p>
<p>We let him plan the day, which usually ends up cleaning the garage. We cook his favorite food, our sons do all the dishes (normally DH job). I tell the boys that their father has worked his whole life to put a roof over their head. He listens to them, he sets them straight, he taught them how to do most every useful thing they know, and he loves them unconditionally — so they had better always thank God that they were lucky enough to have him, because not everybody does. (I call my dad. And buy him something cool. He HATES occasions, but he loves me :)</p>
<p>My younger s was in town for a day, yesterday. He needed some appropriate work clothes for his new job, which starts Monday, so we went to the Dept store for some nice slacks and shirts. While he was trying on clothes I wandered past the men’s cologne area where a sales lady corraled me and showed me the nifty mens duffel that came free with the purchase of Ralph Lauren/Polo cologne. Son needed another carry-on duffel for the clothes he was buying (his other bags were stuffed to the gills). So… guess what DH is getting for Fathers day? Hope he likes Ralph Lauren cologne (smelled good to me, and thats probably what matters). And DS got his new clothes home safe and sound. Double score. ANd the cologne came in a little mini mens travel case that looks like a mini-me version of the duffel that DS took. Cute father/son bonding.</p>
<p>Nothing happens here on Father’s Day except me saying “Happy Father’s Day”. Nothing happens on Mother’s Day either so we’re equal all the way around.
One S called on Mother’s Day. The other did not. They prob. won’t call on Father’s Day unless I send a text to remind them.
Birthdays are pretty much the same.</p>
<p>Not into either one of them. Like MOWC, it’s a Hallmark Holiday in our eyes. We each do the other the favor of not stressing each other out to do something “special.”</p>
<p>And personally, my father died when I was 14, several days before FD. A family friend took the three of us kids to the florist to pick out the children’s flowers for the funeral, and then to a local 5 and 10 for a snack. The store was festooned with Father’s Day banners. I’d never been so sad. So beyond not thinking it’s a big deal, it will always have that irony quotient in my eyes.</p>
<p>Forgot to mention- My s’s bday’s always hit right around mothers and fathers day. Never fails. So there is always something to celebrate.</p>
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<p>If I can ask, what on earth do you mean?</p>
<p>garland, I’m so sorry. My mom lost both her dad and her grandmother (she was pretty equally raised by both) on her young daughter’s (my) birthday. My birthdays are kind of ruined in the family :/… which is fine as I’ve never really seen the big deal with them anyway.</p>
<p>ouuuch.</p>
<p>A friend of mine lost his HS senior son on his (the dad’s) birthday. So tragic.</p>
<p>Sorry to be a downer, but perhaps it helps to set the tone for the impending answer to romani’s question.</p>
<p>Father’s Day is a big deal in our house. DH is a great dad (and the primary cook based on talent) so we normally go our to dinner. Both DS and I get him presents. His bday is normally the week before and our anniversary is the following week, so June is just a great time for celebrations. </p>
<p>I got shortchanged this year on Mother’s Day (day after prom meant DS wasn’t home) but I would say our celebrations are normally equal.</p>
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<p>Ballard! I LOVE Ballard!! :D</p>
<p>Absolutely give my Dh a gift, and try to make his day special on Father’s Day. I’ve been thinking about what to give him for the last week or so, and am having difficulty. I’ll
probably go with the backpacking/camping theme. Both kids will be out of town, so he’ll be able to have a quiet day to do as he pleases. (not that he doesn’t love the kids around 
) I may make a cake. We don’t usually have desserts around the house, so baking is still a treat.</p>
<p>One year I gave H a super duper grill, except I didn’t ask to have it assembled before delivery, so H spent father’s day to put it together.</p>
<p>I think of June as my dh’s month. We have his birthday, father’s day and our anniversary all in June. He gets presents for all three occasions; although the kids don’t do anything for our anniversary. He gets to choose what to eat and does what he wants to do on his two days. Our anniversary will probably be celebrate later with a trip somewhere. He is a great guy. We are off to a brewery tour for his birthday today.</p>
<p>After reading the article that old folks smell good from the internet, my husband said at least we smell good now, so no Cologne for Father’s day.</p>
<p>Dr google, I read that article &it didn’t say the elderly smelled “good”, exactly…
[Scents</a> and Senescence: “Old Person Smell” Is Real, but Not Necessarily Offensive: Scientific American](<a href=“http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=old-person-smell&WT.mc_id=SA_syn_HuffPo]Scents”>http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=old-person-smell&WT.mc_id=SA_syn_HuffPo)</p>