While Father’s Day has been officially recognized as an American national holiday since 1972, its origins date back much further. According to some sources, the first American ‘Father’s Day’ was celebrated in the state of Washington in 1910, inspired by Sonora Smart Dodd. Sonora wanted to honor her Dad, a veteran who had raised her and her six other siblings solo. Today, Father’s Day is an annual holiday celebrating over seventy million fathers in the United States.
Unlike Mother’s Day (part of America’s post-civil war peace-and-reconciliation mission) the original campaign to celebrate fathers didn’t garner the same popular appeal. Sonora Smart Dodd – trying to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents, went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials – eventually becoming successful within her home state. Slowly, the sentiment spread, leading up to when President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe the holiday in 1924. In many other countries throughout Europe and Latin America, fathers are still celebrated during St. Joseph’s Day, a traditional Catholic holiday in March.
As time went on, many decried the growing commercialism of both holidays. In fact, the childless founder of ‘Mother’s Day’, Anna Jarvis, would come to passionately oppose its growing consumer basis, eventually campaigning against it altogether. That being said, whether you’re a Father, wanna-be Father, surrogate parent, caretaker, ’Sugar Daddy’ (I don’t judge!) or simply reparenting your innermost psyche – Fatherhood has never been limited to cis-gendered folks or even biological males. June 15th is what you make of it. Does Daddy deserve a bouquet of fresh wildflowers or a new sports car? A godlike Reiki session or a serious spanking? You be the judge.
With many of the gruesome details of the global ‘MANOSPHERE’ on digital blast, the mothers of this world are working less at pleasing the men in their lives and harder at boundaries and self-sufficiency. And yet, giving the fathers of this fractured and chaotic society a little love doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Many need it, some even deserve it. If he’s on the cusp of conscious, send him this quaint cultural observation for ‘Recovering F*ckboys.’ Read on for a few of my top Father’s Day gift ideas.
SUNDAY SWAGGER
Kicking off Pride Month and the start of another steamy summer, Sunday Swagger has launched its largest drop ever. Boasting a collection of over fifty spanking new polos, whether he’s chasing birdies or changing diapers, this collection of bold tees in energetic hues surely earns the brand its namesake! If you haven’t heard of Sunday Swagger, it’s the bestselling golf and lifestyle apparel company growing annually in triple-digits. Not only are Sunday Swagger polos crafted from a breathable, four-way stretch poly-spandex blend – the moisture-wicking, wrinkle-resistant polos provide UPF 40 sun protection. Keeping him cool and protected from the sun’s rays, built-in moisture-wicking technology, and a variety of classic and modern designs ring the ‘hot Dad’ bell. Serving tropical mojo, gradient nirvana, floral or beachy looks – roughly half of the new collection is designed with fashion-conscious men in mind. And while you’re at it, get a matching tee for your son or daughter! The brand is expanding its youth collection too. Join the Sunday Club for exclusive access to new designs, free shipping, regular discounts and a welcome gift! Follow @sundayswagger on Instagram
Find it HERE
ZETRABLADES
If you grew up in the 90s like me, you remember when Rollerblades® were all the rage, the latest technology in the hands of restless American youth! Fast forward to 2025, not only is inline skating still a great way to spend the weekends (ideally rolling along a sunny beach boardwalk), some of my family members also like to roll through the grocery store, or the bank. Here in the urban jungle – anything goes! Introducing the new easy-to-use, affordable skate from OG industry-leader Rollerblade®.
Officially called Zetrablades, the new release comes complete with Rollerblade® performance wheels. Offering unbeatable support, comfort and stability, Zetrablade wheels lower your center of gravity – making it easier to balance. Whether Dad is a fitness buff or simply lives for the blade, a high cuff for added support, durable shell, comfort performance liner and secure closure system makes Zetrablades hard to beat.
Find them HERE
GREEN TEA FRESH & AQUA GLOWING SUNSCREEN
Whether he’s Zetrablading, golfing or just looking fresh in his new swag over brunch, give him a thoughtful gift that shows you care about his overall wellbeing. From the leading K-Beauty outfitter restoring life balance with vegan, natural skincare solutions, gift your man one of Dr. Althea’s supa fresh SPF with a twist.
Protecting his skin from harmful UV rays with added anti-acne benefits, let’s take Daddy’s skincare routine to the next level. In a world where appearances matter, it’s not just women investing in healthy, youthful, and glowing summer skin. With Dr. Althea’s premier broad-spectrum SPF50+ Green Tea Fresh Sunscreen, added PDRN/Sodium DNA enhances the skin’s natural healing process for a radiant complexion. Ideal for combination or acne-prone skin, the loaded SPF boasts seven types of Centella Asiatica extract to promote a clearer complexion. If his skin tends toward dry, try out the Aqua Glowing Sunscreen, also a lightweight chemical sunscreen, it’s enhanced with Bambusa Vulgaris Water while also offering broad-spectrum SPF50+ protection plus Sodium DNA’s regenerative benefits.
Get the Green Tea Fresh Sunscreen HERE
Get the Aqua Glowing Sunscreen HERE
COSMIC RINGS
If Daddy’s a little unconventional, quirky, comic, and creative, nothing beats delicious, chewable, cannabinoid-infused Cosmic Rings by The Hemp Doctor. Not only do they come in a nostalgic and colorful ring shape that will make him feel young again, a distinct combo fusing the milder psychoactive effects of Delta 9 with the more potent effects of Delta 8 makes these full-spectrum THC treats some of the most potent gummies on the market. Click the link below to check out the full lineup of Hemp Doctor products – including pre-rolls, concentrates, gummies, vapes, and more – all available for purchase online.
Find it HERE
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Father’s Day 2025” HISTORY.COM, published online December 30, 2009
“Why the Founder of Mother’s Day Turned Against It” by Sarah Pruitt, HISTORY.COM, published online May 10, 2013
