Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide to recognize the contribution that fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children. While not all countries celebrate on June 16, many of them toast Dad with gifts and meals. Here are a few of the ways that Dads get their due in other countries.
In Germany, young men and old may go for a hike before dragging a wagon full of beer through the town for an afternoon of drinking together. This tradition harks back to the Middle Ages when men were pulled in carts to the center of the village and celebrated. Nowadays, many German men supposedly take the next day off from work to nurse their hangovers as this day rivals the amount of drinking that happens during Oktoberfest.
Indian fathers usually receive gifts such as books, shirts, flowers or cards. Many urban families in India spend the day with Dad by baking him a cake or preparing a meal.
In Thailand the tradition is to wear yellow on Father’s Day. Children start the day by presenting their fathers with a Canna flower, which is considered to be a masculine plant.
Father’s Day in Canada is not limited to celebrating one’s biological parent. Canadians wish happy Father’s Day to any male figures, friends and family, who are loving, affectionate or influential.
It’s common for families in Japan to share a meal on this day, usually of shrimp or crab, either at home or at a restaurant. Fathers might receive flowers, fancy food, sake, sweets, clothes, sports items or cologne.
The natives of Kathmandu Valley in Nepal honor their fathers on the day of Gokarna Aunsi in late August or September. It means “day for looking at father’s face” and begins on a new moon. It’s traditional to respect fathers who are no longer with their families.
In Italy, families celebrate with a big meal with seafood and lavish desserts which often include St. Joseph cream puffs, which are popular.
Swedes celebrate Father’s Day on the second Sunday in November. Dads receive cakes and presents, such as books or ties. Families go out to dinner or make a special meal of Baltic herring filets. Later they take Dad to his favorite activity such as a performance or fishing.
I asked fathers what they would like on Father’s Day and here is what they wrote: Obviously, Father’s Day is about family. My mother has always wished me a happy Mother’s Day because “she wouldn’t be a mom without me.”
I’m lucky enough that what I want on Father’s Day is what I get most weekend mornings. Charlotte, my six-year-old, would happily sleep in. Samantha, my fouryear- old, has other plans. She gets up at the crack of dawn whether it is a weekend or not.
Most of the time Samantha starts by waking up Charlotte before one or both of them end up at the edge of our bed begging to start the day. Often, I am able to convince them to come snuggle for at least a few minutes, even if the back half of my body hangs off the bed in order to fit all four people. No matter how many elbows are needling into your side or how many times there is a seemingly uncontrollable burst of energy or laughter that keeps me from snoozing, that pile of people might as well be heaven on earth. That’s all I want for Father’s Day, or any day for that matter.
While I’m told it is a secret, we’ve also got a tee-time scheduled for early Sunday morning. We like to go out to Double J Ranch in Woodcreek as a whole family, even though I’m the only one that actually plays golf. The girls will hit a few with our plastic set of clubs, but largely they are just enjoying some time outside. Mark Twain said that golf is a good walk spoiled. I think these two girls would ask how any time playing outside could be spoiled. And that sounds like the perfect Father’s Day to me. — D.S.
I’m not a dad, but I am an uncle and great uncle and great great uncle. My hope is that my nephews stay out of jail, get a great job and take care of me and C. when we are OLDER. — R.P.
My son and grandchildren live half a world away so actually being with them is a very special occasion, even though we are in close contact thanks to WhatsApp. If I could, I would like a picnic, a full day outside without screens — no TV, no phones — just quality time, easy and relaxed. During that day, I would like time to play with a ball and a frisbee, some time to play music, since we all play instruments, and time to catch up on jokes we might not have shared. Great picnic food would be incidental, the important thing is to be together. — G.BM.
One of my two children, my son, passed away two years ago at the age of 32. Since I can’t have him back, I would like hugs and a laugh from my daughter, age 40, who lives in Denver. — R.S.
I’m a dad, times three, with two grandchildren and two more on the way :). For me the best Father’s Day gift is having all of the family together and to do a cycling ride with my son.
— S.R. My sons are grown up with wives and mortgages and jobs that keep them busy and preoccupied. A perfect Father’s Day for me would be a long day out with them on a boat, fishing, with a cooler full of drinks and sandwiches. — C.J.
I have two teenage girls who bicker all day long. I’d like a peaceful day with my dogs Zeb and Charlie. — D.N.
My kids live in Oklahoma, Chicago and Virginia so I’ll spend the day with my wife who always fixes a good lunch or takes me out to eat Chinese food. I’d like my kids to call me to say, Happy Father’s Day. — S.F.
I’d like to spend the day in the pool with my kids, floating around and playing Marco Polo until we’re tired and pruned, and then chow down on burgers from the grill. — B.A.
