That March day when dads too weep with joy (or do they really?)

On March 19th, we celebrate dads, those cape-less superheroes (with a beer belly). Discover how we've gone from bear hugs to hashtags. 

When Dads Made the Calendar 

So, let’s get comfy (or not, seeing as you’re probably reading this on your phone, squished on a bus or standing in a messy kitchen). Today, I'm gonna chat about a holiday that has elicited more than a few awkward smiles and spawned a multitude of useless gifts: Father’s Day.

Imagine a world without Father’s Day. Tough, right? Yet, there was a time when the only recognized superheroes were in comic books, and dads were just those guys silently reading the newspaper at the end of the day. No one thought to dedicate an entire day of celebration to them. Because, let’s face it, who would have thought to celebrate the superpower of assembling furniture from a well-known Swedish manufacturer or turning a barbecue into an event worthy of a reality show?

But then, as if by magic (or marketing, which in some cases is the same thing), Father’s Day was born. And we’re not talking about a quaint little country celebration, but a global phenomenon that swept up sons and daughters in the anxiety of finding the perfect gift. "What do I get Dad this year?" has become the question that torments minds from the start of the year, worse than "Did I turn off the gas?" or "Where’s my phone?".

And so, dear friend, here we are, reflecting on how a simple idea became a pillar of our consumer culture. But fear not, I won’t rain on your parade with overly serious talk. Instead, I’ll guide you through this historical journey with the irreverence it deserves, because if there’s something I’ve learned from Dad, it’s that even the most important lessons can be taught with a good sense of humor (and maybe a beer in hand).

And so we begin our adventure, exploring how this holiday went from a sweet, sentimental thought to an arms race of increasingly extravagant gifts. Prepare for a journey through time, with some detours into the ridiculous, because when it comes to dads, the ridiculous is always just around the corner, ready to surprise you with a dry joke that leaves you speechless.

The Great Escape: From Sentimental to Sensational

Well, now that we’ve set sail on this ship called "Father’s Day," navigating the stormy seas of history and commerce, it’s time to dive into the heart of the storm. And by "heart of the storm," I mean that endless array of gifts ranging from "What the heck am I supposed to do with this?" to "Ah, so you really thought I’d like this?".

So, let’s start from the beginning, when Father’s Day was just an excuse to pat the old man on the shoulder and tell him, "Hey, it’s not so bad having you around." It was a simpler time when a simple "Thanks, Dad" and a handshake were considered grand gestures. But then, like a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood movie, commerce sneaked into this story, turning it from a quiet family picnic into a consumerist rave party.

Picture the scene: families in panic, wandering through malls in search of the perfect gift. "Dad loves golf," someone thinks, completely ignoring the fact that Dad gave up golf years ago after that tragic incident with the cart. Or "Maybe he’d like a new razor," forgetting that Dad has been growing his sailor beard for over a decade.

But it doesn’t end there. Oh no. Because just when you think you’ve seen it all, here come the ads: "Buy this latest tech gadget he’ll never use!" or "Give Dad an experience he’ll forget by next week!". And so, every year, the stakes get higher, with more and more extravagant gifts trying to capture the essence of being a dad, an essence that, apparently, no one has really understood.

But wait, there’s more. Because in this race for the perfect gift, we’ve forgotten one fundamental thing: dads, for the most part, are simple creatures. They value time spent together, shared laughs, and yes, perhaps that soccer game watched together, with a beer in hand and the promise not to talk about work for at least two hours.

And so, as we approach the end of this journey through time (and wallet), we realize that maybe, just maybe, Father’s Day isn’t about the gifts or the wild expenses. Maybe, just like those first celebrations, all that really matters is that moment when we say "Thanks, Dad" and truly mean it. Because at the end of the day, the most precious memories aren’t those you can buy, but those you build. And that, my friend, is the true spirit of Father’s Day.

Dads, the Uncelebrated Heroes (Enough) 

And so, after navigating through the dense fog of useless gifts and overly commercialized celebrations, we approach the safe shore of conclusion. Yes, friend, we’ve sailed together through the turbulent waters of Father’s Day, avoiding the clichés’ rocks and steering around the whirlpools of tech gadgets that would have remained in their boxes until the end of time.

But what have we learned on this epic journey, aside from the fact that there are approximately seven hundred and thirty-two ways to mess up the perfect gift for Dad? Well, for starters, we’ve rediscovered that dads, those enigmatic guardians of the remote control and undisputed masters of the barbecue, don't really need much to feel celebrated. No, I'm not talking about that fishing magazine subscription that seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm talking about something far simpler and infinitely more precious: time.

Yes, time. That elusive concept that always seems to slip through our fingers when we need it most. Who would have thought that the answer to the annual gift-giving dilemma was so laughably simple? Maybe, all that dads want is to spend quality time with the people they love, doing things they love - even if it just means sitting in silence, savoring a beer, and watching nothing in particular, knowing their family is close by.

And maybe, just maybe, that's the message we should take with us from this adventure: that Father's Day isn't a commercial arms race, but an opportunity. An opportunity to slow down, to appreciate the little things, to tell those extraordinary men in our lives how much they mean to us, not through expensive gifts or grand gestures, but through something much simpler and deeper.

So, as we close this chapter and put away our holiday explorer helmets, let's remember the true spirit of Father's Day. Let's remember to celebrate not just dads, but all those who have played that role in our lives, with all the heart and humor they deserve.

And so, dear reader, I leave you with this thought: the next time you find yourself frantically searching for the perfect Father's Day gift, stop for a moment. Breathe. And ask yourself: "Wouldn't it be better to give a bit of my time?"

Because in the end, "I give you advice, but you decide..." just remember: the best moments are those spent together, without the need for a special occasion to celebrate them.

Why I recommend it

I recommend diving deeper into the history of Father's Day because, believe me, any celebration that ends with more beer in the fridge and less hair on the head deserves a standing ovation.

Why I don't recommend it

I don't recommend delving into Father's Day if you think a barbecue is enough to celebrate. There's a lot more behind that indifferent macho façade. (Spoiler: sometimes, there's a heart of gold behind it).