Father’s Day Celebration Ideas

Looking for Father’s Day celebration ideas at home? I’ve got you covered with ideas for food, drinks, gifts, and fun. Invite friends and family for a party to honor dad, husband, grandad or other father figures.

blue and white table setting for fathers day.

When is Father’s Day?

In the U.S. we celebrate the holiday on the third Sunday of June. Therefore the actual date changes from year to year.

What’s the Best Thing to do for Fathers Day?

The goal is to make dad feel special. If you’re planning a last-minute gathering, here are some ideas to help you celebrate Father’s Day indoors or in your own backyard.

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dad standing at outdoor buffet with hot dog in hand.

Lunch Ideas

Whether you want to host a luncheon or a dinner party, these father’s day barbecue meal plan ideas are sure to be a winner.

Start with our family’s favorite grilled appetizer, bacon-wrapped chicken bites. I guarantee they’ll be a winner with your family too!

Set up a hot dog roast and cook them over an open fire pit for a fun family-friendly lunch. Make it special for a crowd with the ultimate hot dog bar.

slider burgers on buns with lettuce and cheese, for outdoor cookout.

Cook burgers on the grill but make it extra fun by making several different recipes and serving small sliders. Variety is the spice of life after all!

grilled corn with husks pulled back, smothered in butter.
baked beans with bacon strips on top, in green baking dish.

Add grilled corn while you’re at it and flavor it with Parmesan compound butter. And sweet & spicy baked beans are always a crowd pleaser!

bbq shredded beef sandwich on bun with slaw, on white plate.
Asian noodle salad in black serving bowl.

If you’d rather do the work ahead instead of manning the grill, make slow cooker bbq beef sandwiches. Serve them with a make-ahead salad like this cold Asian noodle salad.

chocolate fudge brownies piled high on plate.
slice of ice cream pie with whipped cream on top and Biscoff cookies on the side, on black plate.

Desserts

Make dad feel special by serving his favorite meal with a dessert treat afterward. Here are some tried and true recipes for you.

pitcher of beer margaritas with filled glasses surrounding it.

Drink Ideas

Serve a special drink for father’s day. It can be his favorite cocktail recipe or a family friendly punch.

blue plate stacked on white plate with dad name tag around blue napkin.

Father’s Day Table Setting

Create a table for day using his favorite color. Blue is a popular choice so why not pair it with white or tan.

Splashes of copper and gold add sparkle, while layered place settings allow you to play with pattern. The look is modern and masculine.

  • Covering the table in blue fabric and layer white dishes with blue and white patterned salad or dessert plates.
  • Moscow mule copper cups definitely add a masculine edge to the table. Fill them with a Kentucky Mule iced tea cocktails for the adults, and regular iced tea for the children.
  • Copper name tags are actually plant markers. They coordinate with the cups and add a bit of “jewelry” to each place setting.
  • Add a special photo detail for each place setting with diy photo place cards. Follow the instructions using your own printed photos of the family.
wood blocks as centerpiece with green plants sitting on top.
outdoor table setting with fern plant centerpiece.

Centerpiece

  • Think outside the traditional floral arrangement when it comes to setting a father’s day centerpiece. Use potted plants instead, for a rustic masculine feel.
  • Use a collection of wooden boxes to create a multi-level no-frills centerpiece. Flowering plants add a bit of color but the green foliage is the real standout here. It’s a great way to decorate for fathers day.
  • For an outdoor table simply place a potted fern into a wooden planter box.
  • Of course flowers are always a good idea. Check out my best tips for creating flower arrangements on a budget and DIY a floral centerpiece.
all about day printable card for fathers day.

What To Do For Free

Create special memories while watching your budget. Here are some ideas for you.

  • Use this free download to print out cards that are all about dad! Our kids loved filling them out each year, and it’s fun to save them and see how the answers change over the years.
  • Go on a hike with the family. Check out a new neighborhood, a nearby park, or take a drive to a scenic location.
  • Bring out the kid in everyone and go for a bike ride around the neighborhood.
  • Sit with dad and look through old photos or photo album. Listen to his stories of growing up, and ask questions!
picnic outside with blanket and food in bowls.
  • Take a family picnic. You have to eat after all, so why not make a picnic lunch and set up in a park or in your own back yard.
  • You can also have a cookout at home so you’re not paying for any extra activities.
  • One of my husband’s favorite things is movie night (or afternoon) so he’s thrilled to have an at-home movie day. You can make it extra special by setting up a popcorn bar.
  • Download and print free printable cards for Father’s Day so you’re not caught empty handed in case you lost track of time.
backyard picnic with family playing in background.

Backyard Activities

If you’ve decided to host the party outside, why not enjoy a little friendly competition with backyard games. These are some of our favorites.

  • Corn Hole
  • Ladder Ball
  • Bocce Ball
  • Croquet
  • Horse Shoes
  • Giant Jenga
  • Frisbee
  • Water Gun fights
  • Water Balloon Toss
blue table setting with gifts on the table.

Father’s Day Gifts

You know your father best so try to pick a gift that is perfectly suited to him, his hobbies and interests. However, here are some general ideas to get you started. 

  • A gift certificate for a 1-hour massage.
  • Tech toys like Fitbit, Apple Watch, or Gaming system.
  • Specialty delivery boxes such as food, cocktail mixers, grilling sauces, wine, etc.
  • Purchase a round of golf for him to play, or golf lessons.
  • Beautiful liquor decanter with a set of labels.
  • A bottle of his favorite Scotch, Bourbon, or Tequila.
  • A cocktail smoker kit to make craft-style drinks at home.
  • Personalized luggage or toiletry bag.
  • Something representing his favorite sports team: tickets to a game, a jersey, a hoody, signed memorabilia, etc.
  • Anything that makes his life easier.
bourbon bottles on table with silver sipping cups.

More Ideas to Celebrate Fathers Day

Now that you have father’s day celebration ideas, you can keep it simple and pamper dad with a day of relaxation and his favorite meal. Or you can go all out and splurge on gifts and a fancy dinner. It’s really all about family time and making memories.

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16 Comments

  1. This is definitely one of my favorite displays I’ve ever seen you do. So so beautiful!

  2. LOVE this! That planter is so good! It’s masculine but not overly so. I think this is a perfect Father’s Day set up. And of course, you can’t go wrong with an ice cream pie!

    1. It’s so fun to do something NOT for the girls once in a while, right Sharon. A fussy floral arrangement just wouldn’t seem right here, amIright! πŸ™‚

  3. Such a pretty spread, perfectly manly yet beautiful. And delicious!

    1. Thank you Brenda. I do so many lady-like tables it’s fun to do something for the guys once in a while! πŸ™‚

  4. This is gorgeous!! Every item down to the last detail is perfect for Father’s Day. I loooove the Moscow Mule cups and those chairs…wow!! Love this post!

    1. Thanks Carrie. Aren’t those cups fabulous! And I got the chairs at Target a few years ago. πŸ™‚

  5. Love it Chris! The whole thing is beautiful. I especially love the tiered centerpiece. Plus I could just get a big fork and sit down with that whole cake. YUM!

    1. Thank you Kim. Always looking for something new and interesting to do for a centerpiece when the table is supposed to be “manly.” And yes, that cake is divine!

  6. You did an amazing job on this girl – everything looks so great! Loving the centerpiece & that cake is to die for! And using your hubs fave color to set the whole thing is such a simple but FAB idea! πŸ˜‰

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