A gift for Dad

And it is right that we also thank our fathers for all the love and care they give us.

Celebrations around the world

The origins of the celebration date back to the Middle Ages when, in Catholic parts of Europe, Father''s Day was celebrated on 19 March, the feast day of St Joseph. The Spanish and Portuguese carried the tradition to the Americas and the day is still celebrated in Latin America today. Most European countries and the USA observe the feast on the third Saturday in June. Different parts of the world celebrate on different days, but most celebrations take place in April, May and June.

Like Mother''s Day, the celebration of Father''s Day on the third Saturday in June originated in the USA. After Mother''s Day in 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd felt that fathers deserved a day of their own. Despite her efforts, it was not until 1972 that the day was made a national holiday by the US President.

And it is right that we also thank our fathers for all the love and care they give us.

In addition to the Americans, this day is also celebrated in Canada, Great Britain, France, India, Japan, China and several other countries. In Russia, it is celebrated on 23 February, the first Sunday in June in Switzerland, the second Sunday in June in Austria and Belgium, the first day of summer in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Jordan, while in Australia and New Zealand it is celebrated on the first Sunday in September.

Father''s Day is also gaining ground in Slovenia, perhaps due to the fact that men are increasingly involved in the care and upbringing of children. However, Father''s Day is not as widely celebrated here as in other countries, and is much less widely known than Mother''s Day, which is celebrated on 25 March. The most widespread celebration is on 10 March, which is Martyrs'' Day, but this day is for all men, not just fathers.

The most appropriate gift for a father

Although Father''s Day is not yet as well established here as in some other countries, we can still thank them at least once a year for all they do for us. When buying a gift, let''s make sure that we choose something useful or something that our father has wanted for a long time. Before buying, it is important to think about what our father likes to do, what he does in his free time, what he enjoys, what he has wanted for a really long time but not bought himself, etc. The answers to these questions will be our main starting point when choosing a gift, so that it is not only nice but also useful.

Some ideas for gifts if we can dig a little deeper into our pockets

• If he is skilled with different handicrafts, we can buy him some new tools or machines to help him with his work.
• An adrenaline junkie will love a ticket to an adrenaline park, rafting or skydiving.
• Gifts such as watches and wallets are also always in style.
• It''s also hard to go wrong with buying a gift voucher, as everyone usually enjoys it. The options really are endless. From a voucher for his favourite shop, to a voucher for a massage, dinner or holiday.

But a gift can also be more modest and personal. Some ideas:

• We can frame a childhood picture of ourselves with our dad.
• We can make him a card and add a nice quote or thought.
• Bake his favourite dessert for him.
• Make him a personalised coffee cup.
• Give him a T-shirt that says "Best Dad in the World!"
• Invite him bowling, to the cinema or to dinner at his favourite restaurant.