- What is Father's Day?
- The origin of the celebration
- Father's Day in different countries
- Gift Ideas for Father's Day
We explain what Father's Day is, its origin and when it is celebrated in different countries. Also, gift ideas for Father's Day.
What is Father's Day?
Father's Day is an international celebration dedicated to paying tribute to fathers, in a similar way to mothers on "Mother's Day". This day is a family celebration, with religious roots, but in recent times it has become a date of interest, above all commercial, given the significant rise in consumption that he brings with him in almost every countries.
This annual celebration is part of the calendar of a large number of countries, although not necessarily on the same day. In general, it is not a day of celebration, but of the commemoration of the vital role that parents play in the construction of societies, since these have the family as base. That is why this day calls for families to get together and entertain parents with food, parties, gifts or simply company.
The origin of the celebration
Originally, the day dedicated to the father in the Catholic Christian calendar was the day of the birth of Saint Joseph, father of Jesus of Nazareth, so March 19 was consecrated to parents. In fact, many countries still celebrate it that way.
Other countries, on the other hand, adopted the convention originated at the beginning of the 20th century in the United States, through which tribute was paid to parents on a different date, as proposed by local actors in the state of Washington that were echoed in the religious authorities and, later, in the government of Calvin Coolidge.However, it was the Richard Nixon administration that officially designated the day in 1972, establishing that Father's Day should be celebrated every third Sunday of June.
Father's Day in different countries
The exact date of Father's Day varies according to the calendar of each country. The following is a list of when Father's Day is celebrated in different countries:
- Father's Day in Mexico. As in the United States, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- Father's Day in Brazil. It is celebrated on the second Sunday of the month of August, the day of San Joaquín, father of the Virgin Mary and grandfather of Jesus of Nazareth.
- Father's Day in Spain. Along with Italy and other countries with a Catholic culture, in Spain Father's Day is celebrated every March 19, Saint Joseph's Day.
- Father's Day in Argentina. Originally, in this country Father's Day was celebrated every August 24, in honor of José de San Martín, considered Father of the Nation. However, from 1960 the American day was adopted and since then it is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- Father's Day in Uruguay. It is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the month of June, and is usually celebrated with fireworks and yellow clothing.
- Father's Day in Australia. It is celebrated on the first Sunday in September, just like in New Zealand.
Gift Ideas for Father's Day
It is customary to entertain our parents and grandparents every Father's Day, and one way to do it is through gifts and special events. Many times a good gift is not something bought and wrapped in gift paper, but an experience or a gesture that best expresses love and respect that we profess to our parents.
The following is a list of ideas to celebrate Father's Day regardless of when it falls in each country.
Ideas to celebrate Father's Day
- Invite dad to visit a restaurant he always wanted, or take him to spend the day in that park he's always wanted to visit, or to a game of his favorite team.
- Give him something he needs: a wallet, a cell phone, a pair of shoes, or a music player.
- Invite him to a special family trip.
- Buy him a book by his favorite writer, or the subject he's always passionate about, or an e-book reader so he can read those titles and more.
- Prepare a special dinner for him, with his favorite ingredients.