We're going camping for DH's first fathers day. I know he'll be thrilled to take our baby and it will be a lot of fun. I have the whole weekend planned out to celebrate him. But I'm trying to figure out what to do with our dads. I'm sure both would like to be invited and will be upset they weren't invited. But we don't want the moms too. Sigh. I wish the holiday could just be about DH so we could celebrate him without the guilt of not spending it with our dads.

DH and I aren't big birthday or holiday folks but he was a real trooper this weekend as my parents visited for 4 days, staying with us in our small apartment so I want to do something nice for him. I'm thinking his favorite meals and the day to himself to chill on the couch playing video games, which he never gets to do. I'll take our infant DD out to the park or something to give him some downtime during the day.

He really is difficult to get gifts for, though, because he buys himself what he wants the second he wants it. I know PP complained about DWs using that excuse but honestly, DH seems to be ordering stuff from Amazon twice a week.

I think both moms and dads make too much out of Mother's Day and Father's Day. I am surprised how much people spend, this is a holiday made up by the Greeting Card Association.

But then again many women feel that a huge diamond is a must for an engagement ring and that mentality was created by an add campaign by DeBeers. I would rather have a small engagement ring (or just a wedding band) and bigger down payment on a house.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a friend do a painting of him and the baby off of one of his favorite pictures of her after she left the hospital. I've arranged for some friends to meet us at a local distillery and bought diamond club Nats tickets for a game I know he can attend.

He reheated a dinner my parents made.

You sounded like a decent person until you started scorekeeping. Why be so nice if you're clearly resentful?

Because he cancelled plans with both our families because he had big plans for the day. I miscarried a few days before so had spent time in bed and had been looking forward to seeing people. When I asked what our plans were, he said he was too tired to do anything. Then my MIL called to ask how the plans went and he made stuff up.

Bought DH a new pair of sandals for summer with his favorite sports team logo on them. I will get up early with kiddo and let him sleep in. He'll watch sports, we'll go out to dinner.

My DH is a sports nut. I am totally clueless about sports, but I will get him tickets to something and I'll actually go too.

Otherwise, he will get to sleep in while I make breakfast with the kiddo. A sweet card from me and our infant DS and his favorite BBQ for lunch.

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a friend do a painting of him and the baby off of one of his favorite pictures of her after she left the hospital. I've arranged for some friends to meet us at a local distillery and bought diamond club Nats tickets for a game I know he can attend.

He reheated a dinner my parents made.

You sounded like a decent person until you started scorekeeping. Why be so nice if you're clearly resentful?

Anonymous wrote:I'm taking my ex-husband out for crabs. And will probably get him something to do with one of his hobbies as a gift. He made my Mother's Day very nice for me and I'm going to return the favor when it's his turn.

My ex made mothers day really nice for me too. Kids and I are heading to the Caribbean next week. I'll pick my him up some cigars.

I'm having a friend do a painting of him and the baby off of one of his favorite pictures of her after she left the hospital. I've arranged for some friends to meet us at a local distillery and bought diamond club Nats tickets for a game I know he can attend.

He reheated a dinner my parents made.

He picks the restaurant, I get him a card and he does nothing for the house or family, just like every other weekend.

I asked DH what he wanted and he said that he wanted a day to play video games with our sons without me nagging them about turning off the TV and screen time. Done.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
DH here, in my case I usually get to choose what I get to eat for dinner. Then like most nights I cook it for the family, though on Father's day the family makes an effort to clean the dishes and items I cooked with. I will get a card, and excuses about how hard I am to buy things for which is why I won't get a gift.

When you buy all the shit you want and don't save anything for us to buy, you are hard to buy for. Tell me -- really! -- right now what sort of "thing" you might actually want to recieve?

I think this is one of the Mars/Venus things. DW wants something specific and tells DH what it is, if she does not get that exact item she is unhappy. DH wants DW to know him well enough to get him something he wants without saying exactly what it is, DWs feel this is an unfair request. In my case I don't feel excited to get something I had to pick out. If it were a big ticket item that would be different, but I would never fell comfortable asking for a big ticket item in the first place because there are always other things the family could use the money for.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
DH here, in my case I usually get to choose what I get to eat for dinner. Then like most nights I cook it for the family, though on Father's day the family makes an effort to clean the dishes and items I cooked with. I will get a card, and excuses about how hard I am to buy things for which is why I won't get a gift.

When you buy all the shit you want and don't save anything for us to buy, you are hard to buy for. Tell me -- really! -- right now what sort of "thing" you might actually want to recieve?

Not np, but he is one major illness away from realizing time with his loved ones is all that should matter.

Same thing as he did for me for Mother's Day: I'll make his requested meals for breakfast, dinner, and dessert, and we'll go as a family on an outing of his choice. He'll have lots of rest time, too. DS and I will buy and/or make him a small gift.

god, i wish we'd get off the hallmark holiday train....

i'll get a card from DD, and send my dad a card...

honestly I could care less about fathers day...