The Ten Biggest Misconceptions About Father's Day Gifts

June 15th is not far away. In fact, most of you are planning on what to do that day already. getting ready for the cookout? Heading to disney? Planning on buying that next tie, or better yet, gonna spend some time fixing the house?
Well, guess what, you're probably not the dad.
In the light of father's Day, the biggest misconceptions about this day is that we are actually thinking It IS a holiday. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE being fathers and nothing will please most of us more than seeing our siblings, (whether they be days old or 80 years, it doesn't matter), but the problem is, a big percentage of "father's" never plan on that day, or even have a say so on what he is about to receive. Father's day, unlike Mother's day, is most successful when you use the percentage bracket. In other words, when mother's day comes around, we often buy flowers, chocolate, and a card. Although this is marked as stereotypical, this covers just about ALL mothers on mother's day. Father's day is different. Father's are different. For some, this is a day of rest. for others, this is a day of memories and accomplishments of their siblings, and for some, it's T.V time! Alot of us out there don't really have a clue to what is expeted on father's day, so i contrived a list for such an event. This is a list contrieved entirely from a father's own perspective, as well as other fathers that have gave me their input on this festive occassion:

1. NOT ALL FATHERS WANT TO HAVE A COOKOUT. Personnally, I'm not the greatest cookout enthusiest. I never understood how a hamburger can get burnt while the hotdogs are still cold. Some of us dads out there see this as a chore, ranging anywhere from 2-6 hours. There is a certain percentage of us that don't care to cookout. Besides that, if the in-laws find out, look out!

2. THE TIE. Also a misconception of sorts. Most often than not, your dad probably has plenty of ties. There is no work season around june that says,"Yes, I need another tie". There is a small percentage out there that wouldn't mind having another one, and believe me, no dad is gonna frown on ANY present he gets, but really, wouldn't something else, like socks or a wallet be more useful?

3. GOING OUT TO EAT. Well, let's see. First we have to dress up, (or put on pants for that day, rather). We have to bring the kids, (and, according to age group, will this really be fun)? Finally, he has to open up presents that has something "unusual" moving around inside. Anxiety is around the corner here. Do yourself a favor, ask him! Remember this is a percentage game. Some of us really like going out on father's day. some of us want to sit in the lazy boy chair.

4. IMPROVING /REMODELING THE HOUSE, (OR CAR), OR ANY OF IT'S CONTENTS. The biggest percentage of dads look at this day as a day of rest. Unless he looks motivated enough to start sawing on that bathroom counter to get a 36" sink to fit in a 24" hole, it's best if you don't mention any of the "improvement" part of your lives to him on this glorious day. There are one's who like to "fiddle" around, so this doesn't follow under this category.

5. GOING TO YOUR IN-LAWS. Enough said.

6. SPENDING TIME WITH THE KIDS. There have been enough times in our lives these days where we actually don't spend enough time with our kids and moreso, the fathers. We did not make up the schedule, it's just a schedule we have to follow with work, chores, what have you. This is some advise for the better half of these men we are suppose to celebrate to. If you see "johnny' or "susan" having a great time with dad out in the backyard, in the park, or where ever you may be. Give them time to themselves. this is father's day. He wants to relinguish, relish, and refresh himself through his kids he's occupying his time with at the moment. most often than not, most dads don't get to spend that quality time with their cherished ones. This is that time right now that he will remember from years on out.

7. DON'T WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY FATHER'S DAY. Saying happy father's day is the same as saying " ALOHA " in Hawaii . It has two meanings. either the recipient is gonna take it as he is the father and you're wishing him a good day, or he should be happy because he is also celebrating with his father.

8. NOT ALL FATHERS ARE HAPPY. Some folks out there just never got along, or yet, even knew their father. Some of us were even lousy dads, and couldn't tell you where are kids are at, or who they even are. face it, for some people, this is not a joyous holiday. Be careful when you talk about this subject to someone you don't know. Also see rule #7

9. OUR HOLIDAY. Yes, i said it. If you don't know what your dad, (husband, or let's just say, male in your life), wants to do, ASK . Try not to make big plans. In all the males i ever talked to about this holiday, the word REST always comes into play, but since this is a percentage game, ask him. Maybe he would like to do all the things you want to do and then some. Some Dad's even have a great day by just doing that! doing what everybody else wants to do. A PERCENTAGE of them, that is.

10.THE HOMEMADE "THINGYS". Honestly, this is sometimes one of the greatest gifts we could ever receive. This piece of artwork came from the existence of the one we helped to create. we actually do keep these things for years too. just ask my closet.

So, all in all, father's Day is nothing like Mother's Day. We aren't generally stressing out the day, we're just going with the flow. do yourself a favor this Father's Day. Take it easy and let him take it easier than last year. want a cookout? See if that's what he wants. Want to go to the zoo? See if that's what he wants.
Wanna get an answer faster? Ask him what he would like to do Father's Day weekend. I bet you it's a different answer then what you had in store for him. Remember, we are all different, but for father's day, it's also celebrated differently, there are too many different kinds of dads to set up a plan and make it work for you, er...him.