Father's Day is coming on June 15, 2014, giving offspring everywhere a chance to celebrate the men who raise them, love them and teach them important lessons they'll remember for the rest of their lives.
The occasion was first celebrated in the U.S. in 1908, when a church in West Virginia sponsored the country's first day to honour fathers, History.com reported.
Sonora Smart Dodd from Spokane, Wash. tried to organize a day for dads the following year that would be equivalent to Mother's Day (which began in 1908, and was made official in 1914).
Dodd managed to organize enough interest in the day that the governor of Washington state proclaimed the country's first statewide Father's Day on July 19, 1910.
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson supported the day but never made it official nationwide, according to the Library of Congress.
President Calvin Coolidge suggested people celebrate it as a national event in 1924, calling it a day to "establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations," but Father's Day wasn't made a permanent national holiday until Richard Nixon did so, in 1972.
Father's Day is now celebrated in Canada on the third Sunday in June.
As of the most recent statistics in 2011, there were 8,611,000 fathers in the Great White North, including biological, adoptive and stepfathers, according to Statistics Canada.
The amount of time men have spent with their families has fluctuated over the years. In 1986, they spent an average of 360 minutes with their family every day. That number fell to an average of 345 minutes in 2005 and climbed back to 379 minutes in 2010.
But the numbers also show that men are taking on an increasingly important role when it comes to housework. Seventy-seven per cent of men partook in housework in 2005, a number that jumped to 81 per cent in 2010.
Here are some unusual Father's Day gifts to mark the occasion:
IGrow Laser Helmet
IGrowLaser.com
Dad may say he doesn't want anything for Father's Day, but, chances are, he would like back some of the hair he pulled out of his head trying to raise you properly.The
IGrow hair growth system is supposed to increase hair growth through a helmet that shoots laser beams on the scalp.It costs $695, but you should get that money back from Dad when you threaten to post photos of him wearing the helmet on social media.
Six Pack Beer Belt
Wayfair.com
If your dad's idea of a seven-course meal is a steak and a six-pack, the
beer belt is perfect. It allows Pop to keep six cans of whatever he likes close at hand. To make this gift even classier (if that's possible), you can have it monogrammed.
FitBand
HourGlassAngel.com
Your dad's gut may be pouring out over his Dockers, but the
FitBand will allow him to regain a little bit of his girlish figure while reducing lower back strain. Whether he gets his dignity back is another story.
Giant Fishing Lure
Rapala.com
Catching a big fish requires a big lure. At least that's the theory behind this
six-foot-tall fishing lure.It costs more than $400, but when Dad opens up the box and sees it, he'll be hooked -- line, sinker and everything else.
Tent That Looks Like 1965 VW Van
themonsterfactoryusa.com
Does your dad constantly blab about the olden days when he used to follow Dave Matthews or Phish around the country while selling bootleg concert T-shirts? He can relive those days with
a tent designed to look like a 1965 VW van (bootleg concert T-shirts sold separately).
Sunglasses That Double As Beer Openers
Rakuten.com
For some boozehound daddies, nothing is worse than being without a bottle opener.
Brewsees solves that dilemma by putting bottle openers on the frames of sunglasses. Best of all: Your father will spend hours telling people about how, when all hope was lost, your gift allowed him to get his drink on.
Tiny Statues Of People Having Sex
OccamsRaiser.com
Ever wonder why Dad spends so many hours tending to his garden. With these
little statues, the answer is obvious: He's watching 3D porn.
Donkey Piss Tequila
DonkeyPiss.com
A dad who likes tequila is an easy dad to buy gifts for. And if your dad also likes donkeys, piss or the combination of
donkeys and piss, you will be his favorite child with this subtly named spirit.
My Little Pony Boxers
TVStoreOnline.com
A good dad is one who is secure in his masculinity. What better way to show that faith in him than a pair of
Rainbow Dash-themed boxers. It will bring out the Brony in him.
Knit Gladiator Helmet
HalloweenCostumes.com
With global warming nigh, your dad may not have many chances to wear
this beanie designed to look like a gladiator helmet. But he will appreciate that you want to keep his head warm in a whimsical fashion. It will also come in handy if he ever has to portray a Roman centurion in freezing weather.
Zombie Socks
ShopKBell.com
The verdict is still out on what kind of fashions will be popular during the impending zombie apocalypse. However, these
zombie socks bring new meaning to the term "Walking Dead."
T&A Pole Dancer Drink Stirrer and Skull Glass
tfc-nyc.myshopify.com
No matter how much your dad loves being your father (and I'm sure he does), there is still a part of him that fondly remembers when he was a dashing young blade. These
cocktail stirrers of pole dancers will remind him of the times when he learned the hard way that there is no sex in the champagne room.
Bacon Wallet
Fun.com
It's safe to say we've reached peak bacon. However, part of being a dad means being slightly behind the times so he will love this
bacon wallet and be convinced that he is somehow "hip" by using it. That is, unless he's a vegan.
DarthDriver
Fun.com
When your dad's golfing foursome see this
Darth Vader cover on his drivers, they will know he is a force to be reckoned with.
False Teeth Bottle Opener
Wayfair.com
A
wall-mounted bottle opener is good to have, especially near the barbecue. Your dad won't get in your grill when he gets this handy gift.
Reel Roaster Lifestyle
HogWildToys.com
Nothing is more relaxing than roasting weenies or marshmallows over an open fire, but the constant turning needed for an even burn can be boring -- or worse! -- lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Reel Roasters are set up like a fishing pole so that Dad can relax while cooking his weenie to his exact specifications.
Fancy Looking Bibs
http://www.dresstiez.com
Just because your dad is dressed to the nines doesn't mean he's not a slob when he eats. Sadly, it's not respectable for an adult to ask for a bib. But
Dress Tiez bibs allow Pop to eat like a pig without worrying he will get most of his meal on his shirt.
ManCrates Zombie Kit
ManCrates.com
If there is one thing that could mar Father's Day, it's Dad's nervously worrying that the impending zombie apocalypse is about to strike
that very minute. Think of how at ease he will feel when he opens up this
crate chock full of handy zombie-fighting goodies, including spam, a machete, and duct tape.
Bottle Stopper
Wayfair.com
Chinon Legato Speaker For iPhone
chinonshop.com
If Pop is an audiophile, he might occasionally gripe about the bad sound quality of iPhones. That is, when he's griping about his arthritis, rheumatism or not being able to carry an AK-47 into Chipotle.
The Legato uses a wood horn-like creation to naturally amplify the iPhone without the use of batteries. He will be happy with the sound, and go back to griping about not being able to bring firearms into Chipotle.
Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker That Looks Like Sperm
BoomMovement.com
If you're spending Father's Day by the pool, Dad will get a kick out of this waterproof bluetooth speaker that allows him to play his favorite tunes without risking ruining that iPod you gave him last year.This speaker is called the
Swimmer, which is fitting since it looks just like the "swimmers" that made him a dad in the first place.
Spinach Can Koozie
Halloween Costumes
Just because Dad drinks a lot of beer doesn't mean he wants everyone to know. This
Koozie will keep his suds cold while fooling everyone else that he's actually eating salad. Lots and lots of salad. Like 12 cans at a time.
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