No two dads are exactly alike, so this Fathers Day make sure that you celebrate his uniqueness with a day that is all about him! The day should be spent doing all the things that dad loves to do. The activities may depend on your age and relationship, but you should keep in mind the importance of honoring your real life super hero.
A Brief History of Fathers Day
Mothers Day was made an official day in the year 1914. Did you know it took four US Presidents to finally make Fathers Day a permanent national holiday? It all began in 1913, when the first Fathers Day bill was introduced to Congress, to no avail.
In 1916, Woodrow Wilson proposed Fathers Day to Congress, but it resisted, based on its negative association with commercialism. Then in 1924, Calvin Coolidge recommended Fathers Day be observed by the nation, but no proclamation was made through Congress at that time. In 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers. However, it wasn’t until 1972 when Richard Nixon finally signed this proclamation into law, officially honoring fathers the third Sunday in June.
Fathers Day BBQ Recipes
While Mothers Day is a time to show your appreciation for all that mom does, Fathers Day is more of a thank you for his guidance and generosity over the years. Most families go out for brunch or dinner on Mothers Day, to give her a break from cooking in the kitchen. For Fathers Day, the focus is usually on the great outdoors, with most families choosing to barbecue in the backyard.
Here are a couple of easy barbecue recipes for dad’s big day!
Flank Steak Marinade
1 to 2 beef flank steaks
½ cup of soy sauce
2 Tbsp white vinegar
2 Tbsp honey
1 ½ Tbsp ground ginger
1 ½ tsp garlic powder
1 ½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
¾ cup of oil
1 chopped onion
Make shallow cuts in steaks with a knife. Mix all ingredients in a sealed Ziploc bag and add the steaks. Refrigerate at least 24 hours, turning occasionally. Grill for 5 to 10 minutes on each side. Thinly slice on an angle. Serves approximately 2 to 4 people.
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Make Your Own BBQ Sauce
¼ cup molasses
1/3 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. dry mustard
¼ tsp. chili powder
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
Mix all ingredients well and brush over chicken or ribs and grill. Makes about ¾ cup of sauce.
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Family Favorite Cheeseburgers
2 lbs. ground beef
2 Tbsp. dried, minced onion
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp. black pepper
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Mix together all ingredients, except cheddar cheese. Shape into 10 thin patties. Top 5 of the patties with ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Cover each cheesy patty with a plain patty and press the edges to seal. Grill and serve in buns. If you want even more flavor, brush garlic butter over the burgers while they are grilling.
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Lemon BBQ Chicken
2 ½ to 3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup oil
¾ cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. seasoning salt
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. basil
2 tsp. thyme
½ tsp. garlic powder
Combine all ingredients, except chicken, in a jar and shake to blend. Place chicken in a shallow pan and pour marinade over chicken. Refrigerate several hours or overnight, occasionally turning. Grill chicken for 15 to 20 minutes, turning frequently and basting often with remaining marinade. Serves approximately 4 to 6 people.
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Dijon Crusted Fish
½ cup margarine
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. seasoning salt
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 lb. orange roughy filets
Sprinkle of paprika
Combine first four ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes. Let cool, then pour over fish. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes. Grill for 3 to 6 minutes on each side, continually basting as you grill. Sprinkle with paprika when done. Serves approximately 2 to 4 people.
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Make Your Fathers Day Gift Memorable
A Dad can have a strong influence on your life, so give him a Fathers Day gift that is both memorable and appreciative for all that he has done. Presents that are all the rage are usually electronics or tools. Not only are they practical, but they are manly, unlike the pastel colored shirt and tie combo you’d rather get him to update his wardrobe.
If your dad is an avid reader and always on the go, a iPad makes a Fathers Day gift. A portable computer tablet is also a great choice, which allows him to have both work and fun at his fingertips. Or, maybe the latest smart phone is more to his liking. No matter what gadget you choose, OrnamentShop.com has a personalized ornament for him, that makes the perfect accompaniment to your fabulous fathers day gift!
