My long suffering husband never guessed that when I said decades ago that I wanted children that I meant THAT many children! Having said that he was often as broody as me which is probably how we ended up with 7 kids.
Just as Mother's Day is quite a big deal in our home, Father's Day is marked with the usual array of homemade cards and hugs and generally gifts of chocolate, wine, beer and more chocolate. Not too imaginative really.
If you'd like to honour your father, the father of your children or the person who is like a dad to you or your children with something more than chocolate seashells (my husband's favourite) it's easy to make him feel special whatever your budget.
You could ask your young child to draw a special picture of the special man and themselves together and get it laminated to keep for years to come. Or if you still have a baby get a hand or footprint mould kit and create a cheap but precious keepsake for his office desk.
A nice photograph would be easy to arrange, either take one yourself if you are a half-decent photographer, or check out Father's Day deals at local studios. If you take your own picture and are pleased with it explore online for companies who make personalised photograph gifts like mugs, mouse mats or T-shirts, websites who will turn your snapshot into a canvas picture or even a 3D picture to hang on the wall. Or you could just buy a nice frame!
Foodie Father? Treat them to a lovely lunch or dinner - most pubs and restaurants offer special deals for June 21. Or pick up their favourite food and let the children "help" make a meal for Dad.
You could make up a hamper of his favourite snacks and include a DVD for him to watch. Or plan a Dad themed picnic taking fishing rods to the river or binoculars to the airport - indulge his hobby and make it a family day out.
Some websites like into the blue specialise in making shopping for gifts as easy as possible and a few clicks could see the person you want to treat enjoying a flying lesson, Western horse riding or a break in a luxury tree house.
You could get him a personalised Lego portrait, send him on an ice sculpting course or tank driving - check out the website for loads of original ideas with gifts divided into budget and occasion to make browsing easy.
Money no object? Take a look at last minute websites to find flights and accommodation world wide. Maybe team a UK city break with tickets for a theatre, music or sports event and for a final flourish add meals.
Maybe plan a day crammed with exciting events - maybe breakfast in an American diner, a museum, game of footie in the park or high wire experience, lunch on a boat or a child friendly buffet restaurant, Segway safari or canal walk followed by afternoon tea (mum will enjoy that too!) then cinema and popcorn or pizza in front of the TV with the remote control in Dad's hands.
You could present the person with a succession of envelopes revealing each step of the treat to make it even more exciting.
Whatever you decide to do make sure it's all designed to make him and the whole family happy - there's no point planning an afternoon at the park if he hates it, or a day in a museum if your two-year-old is likely to get bored and restless.
To all dads or those who are like a dad to someone out there, whatever your age, however may children you have- I hope June 21 is a happy one for you.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.
Just as Mother's Day is quite a big deal in our home, Father's Day is marked with the usual array of homemade cards and hugs and generally gifts of chocolate, wine, beer and more chocolate. Not too imaginative really.
You could ask your young child to draw a special picture of the special man and themselves together and get it laminated to keep for years to come. Or if you still have a baby get a hand or footprint mould kit and create a cheap but precious keepsake for his office desk.
A nice photograph would be easy to arrange, either take one yourself if you are a half-decent photographer, or check out Father's Day deals at local studios. If you take your own picture and are pleased with it explore online for companies who make personalised photograph gifts like mugs, mouse mats or T-shirts, websites who will turn your snapshot into a canvas picture or even a 3D picture to hang on the wall. Or you could just buy a nice frame!
Foodie Father? Treat them to a lovely lunch or dinner - most pubs and restaurants offer special deals for June 21. Or pick up their favourite food and let the children "help" make a meal for Dad.
You could make up a hamper of his favourite snacks and include a DVD for him to watch. Or plan a Dad themed picnic taking fishing rods to the river or binoculars to the airport - indulge his hobby and make it a family day out.
Some websites like into the blue specialise in making shopping for gifts as easy as possible and a few clicks could see the person you want to treat enjoying a flying lesson, Western horse riding or a break in a luxury tree house.
You could get him a personalised Lego portrait, send him on an ice sculpting course or tank driving - check out the website for loads of original ideas with gifts divided into budget and occasion to make browsing easy.
Money no object? Take a look at last minute websites to find flights and accommodation world wide. Maybe team a UK city break with tickets for a theatre, music or sports event and for a final flourish add meals.
Maybe plan a day crammed with exciting events - maybe breakfast in an American diner, a museum, game of footie in the park or high wire experience, lunch on a boat or a child friendly buffet restaurant, Segway safari or canal walk followed by afternoon tea (mum will enjoy that too!) then cinema and popcorn or pizza in front of the TV with the remote control in Dad's hands.You could present the person with a succession of envelopes revealing each step of the treat to make it even more exciting.
Whatever you decide to do make sure it's all designed to make him and the whole family happy - there's no point planning an afternoon at the park if he hates it, or a day in a museum if your two-year-old is likely to get bored and restless.
To all dads or those who are like a dad to someone out there, whatever your age, however may children you have- I hope June 21 is a happy one for you.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.