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All About Dads – Your Father’s Day Guide

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Father’s Day always sneaks up in one of the busiest parts of the year. It’s when school is winding down, the weather warms up, and summer weekends start filling up. It’s a busy time, yes, but it’s also the perfect moment to pause and reflect on the men who show up in quiet, consistent ways all year long.

Whether it’s a dad, stepdad, grandpa, or someone who’s stepped into that role, Father’s Day is really about celebrating the people who show up for us. It’s not just about picking out a gift, it’s about finding a way to say thank you that actually means something.

Dads wear a lot of hats. Some are up early packing lunches or tackling yardwork. Some are the ones who save the day with a last-minute science fair project. Others are calm and quiet, quick with a corny joke or encouragement during a hard season. Some dads aren’t biological but have shown up with love that feels just as real. This day is for them all.

It’s for the ones who read bedtime stories, coach little league, or drive across town for a 7 a.m. volleyball game. The ones who may not always say much, but always show up. It’s for the dads who taught us how to ride a bike, drive a stick shift, grill burgers just right, or keep going when things get tough.

While gifts are great (and we’ll get to that in a minute), here are a few other meaningful ways to show appreciation this Father’s Day:

  • Write a letter. One that says what you maybe don’t say out loud often enough.
  • Plan a “yes day.” Let dad choose the meals, the music, the activities.
  • Cook something together. A simple breakfast, his favorite BBQ dinner, or some nostalgic chocolate chunk cookies.
  • Take him to brunch – here are all of our favorites in Seattle
  • Start a new tradition. A Father’s Day hike, homemade cinnamon rolls, or a slow morning with coffee on the porch.
  • Make a mini photo album. Even 10 printed photos from your camera roll can be incredibly meaningful.
  • Give the gift of time. Sometimes the best present is simply being together without distractions.

Now, if you do want to wrap up something special, I’ve curated a list of ideas that go beyond the usual. These are thoughtful, functional, and sure to make him feel appreciated.


Father’s Day get-togethers always seem to revolve around great food. Something simple, something grilled, and always something cold and refreshing to serve alongside it. For us, that’s this pasta salad. It’s fresh, tangy, full of texture, and easy to make ahead.

Pasta Salad

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Ingredients

  • 1 box bowtie or rotini pasta
  • 1 6oz can sliced olives, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved optional
  • 1 cucumber, diced optional
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced optional
  • 1 16 oz bottle ranch dressing (this can be homemade or store bought)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta, drain and rinse with cold water. Pour into large mixing bowl and let cool.
  • Toss the cooled pasta with olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and cheese
  • Pour the dressing over the top of the mixture and mix until everything is evenly coated.
  • Place into a serving dish. Chill for at least an hour before serving.


Because no Father’s Day is complete without dessert, I wanted to share an old favorite: Oreo Ice Cream Cake. It’s easy to make, delicious, and always a hit! This cake is the perfect combination of nostalgic and indulgent, and you can make it ahead of time.

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

Equipment

  • Springform Pan
  • Wilton 1M decorating tip
  • Disposable Decorating Bag
  • Cool Whip
  • Chocolate Cake Pop Mixture (see recipe below)
  • Oreos
  • Ice Cream Sandwiches
  • Twix Mini’s, chopped
  • Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, softened
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Ingredients

  • Duncan Hines Devils Food Cake Baked as instructed on box
  • One package Oreos crushed or blended food processor (set aside 6 for top of cake)
  • 1/4 – 1/3 cup Buttercream Frosting or canned icing

Instructions

  • Combine 1/2 of the chocolate cake, 1/2 crushed oreos and icing in mixer with paddle attachment. Mix until well blended and forms a sticky consistency. Set aside to use in Ice Cream Cake
  • Press cake pop mixture into bottom of springform pan to create a crust layer.
  • Add layer of softened Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
  • Lay Ice Cream Sandwiches on top of ice cream as a third layer
  • Add layer of softened Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, filling in gaps from Ice Cream Sandwiches
  • Crumble remaining cake & crushed oreos over ice cream layer to form layer
  • Spread 3/4 tub of Cool Whip on top of cake
  • Top with chopped Twix bars
  • Fill disposable decorating bag (fitted with Wilton 1M decorating tip) with remaining Cool Whip and draw swirls around top of cake.
  • Place an Oreo in the center of each swirl
  • Freeze 12-24 hours


No matter how you celebrate this year, I hope it’s filled with connection, laughter, and some time to simply soak in how lucky we are to have these people in our lives. Father’s Day doesn’t need to be elaborate. Sometimes it’s the handwritten card or the shared silence on a drive that says the most.

To all the dads…we see you, we thank you, and we’re better for you being in our lives.

Happy Father’s Day!

**disclaimer** this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But trust me, I only recommend products I truly love and think you will too. I’d never suggest something I wouldn’t use myself!

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