Quality time
Forget the aftershave this Sunday. It is the simple pleasures – including hugs from their children, a meal out with the family and receiving a Father’s Day card – that dads have chosen as their ultimate Father’s Day gifts, according to our latest research.
While the majority of dads are bracing themselves for another ‘World’s Greatest Dad’ mug, British dads say that spending quality time with their family this weekend would make them happier than their sports team winning the league, getting a new car or receiving a promotion at work.
Eight in 10 dads say they receive a card, or a present, or both every year. And nearly three quarters (72%) say they have kept some or all of the Father’s Day cards they’ve received over the years.
When they have been unable to be with their family in person on the day, more than a third (34%) would prefer to receive a card over Skype or a text message or phone call – mainly because it is perceived to be ‘more personal’.
Top five Father’s Day gifts, as chosen by British dads:
- A meal out with the family
- Hugs from the children
- Receiving a Father’s Day card
- Spending quality time with their children
- A walk in the countryside with their children.
As part of a myth-busting mission to remind the nation that dads just want the simple things this Sunday, we have partnered with John Adams of Dad Blog UK to produce some straightforward tips to making sure British dads feel as appreciated as they should do this weekend.
Some interesting facts unearthed by our research include:
- The strangest novelty Father’s Day gifts that dads in the study claim to have received include a lifetime supply of cashew nuts, lottery tickets and 10 garden gnomes!
- Three quarters of dads have never been treated to breakfast in bed, and more than half (53%) of dads claim to have never been treated to a Father’s Day meal.
- Dads in Belfast are most likely to keep their Father’s Day cards throughout the years (75%), followed by fathers in London (73%), Cardiff (70%), Worcester (70%), Northampton (69%) and Manchester (69%).
Royal Mail head of campaigns Mark Street, said: ‘This study shows that, when it comes to Father’s Day, it’s the personal touch that counts.
‘All UK dads really want is quality time with their families and a lasting reminder of their children’s love. If you can’t be there with them in person, sending a Father’s Day card with a personal message and picture is a great way to show your dad that you are on their mind, and that you care about them.’
Little (and big!) ones around the nation are reminded to post their letters and cards with enough time to spare for Father’s Day. Tomorrow is the last posting date for First Class stamps.
