For Beloved Dad

Father’s Day has just passed on the third Sunday of June but it doesn’t mean that you can’t make something to surprise your dad with. Anyone would love a little present or simply some attention, no matter the occasion. So take some time out of your day and organize any of these activities to make one of the most important people in your life happy.

First of all, getting your dad a day off one weekend is the simplest but also one of the best solutions. Or you can even call and let him have a real day off of work! Just let him be for one day so he can do whatever he desires without any additional responsibilities of a parent or a husband. Maybe he’s been dreaming about sitting all day on the couch and watching TV, you never know! Do house chores or make meals for him, if you want. Even a simple bowl of spaghetti with homemade marinara sauce is delicious when made with love. Only a handful of ingredients can lead to a delightful dinner.

To make the sauce cook diced onion, shredded carrots and a few minced garlic cloves in olive oil for 5 minutes. Then add whole canned tomatoes, break them up with a spoon and add the rest of the ingredients, including the spices. Cook until desired consistency and either serve over pasta right away or freeze till later use.

Recreating your favorite shared memories can be a great way of having an emotional moment with your dad. You can try taking your childhood photos again or remembering a serious conversation that really made an impression on you. Anything that will help you get closer and appreciate your relationship will work.

A surprise picnic is always fun, especially if your dad loves being outdoors. Plan it carefully, choosing a location that will be interesting for him, and make sure to be very discreet about it. Nobody loves a ruined surprise! Making it a day road trip or hike is also a good idea if you’re an active family. There’s a variety of recipes to choose from for picnics, including classic sandwiches and pasta salads. And you can amp up the flavors of many dishes with something like chimichurri sauce. The prep for it only involves mixing all the ingredients together and then it’s done! So place into a bowl or container olive oil, red wine vinegar, chopped parsley, minced garlic, chopped red chilies, dried oregano and salt. Let everything sit for a while to get the most amount of flavor from the sauce. Serve with salads or grilled veggies.

Some gifts that can be useful for his hobbies are obviously a great option. Get him some woodcarving instruments, a panting kit or whatever else he is interested in or wants to explore. His age doesn’t mean that he can’t start new so encourage his passions in any way and be a supportive child.

A big surprise party is the height of presents that you can give to your father. Invite his old high school friends for a reunion or just include close family and friends for a smaller gathering. Attention and care are all that matters at this point and you should shower your dad with it on this day. Homemade meals, even if not of restaurant quality, speak of your love better than ordered meals. So make sure to prepare his favorite comforting dishes even if that includes Thanksgiving foods during summer! Cranberry sauce, for example, can be a highlight of many meals and this recipe is way better than any canned version.

To make it combine sugar, water and orange juice in a pan. Add fresh cranberries, orange peel and a cinnamon stick, then simmer for about 15 minutes. It’s a great recipe to be made ahead because all the flavors open up even more with time.