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Whew, what a year! The first 12 months of fatherhood were like running a marathon. Those 3 am cries, the endless diaper changes, the pureed food fight stains you’ll never get out of the couch – it was a lot. But you powered through and kept that tiny human alive and thriving. Celebrating your first Father’s Day is a massive milestone that needs to be done upright
A quick history lesson first: Father’s Day started in the early 1900s in the US when a woman named Grace Golden Clayton suggested honoring dads, inspired by the Mother’s Day celebrations she attended.
It didn’t become an official national holiday until 1972 when President Nixon signed it into law. These days, over 60 countries observe Father’s Day annually in June for those north of the equator like the African diaspora. It’s a big deal! 
So if this is your inaugural Father’s Day, how should you spend those coveted 24 hours? Here are 4 fabulous options on how to celebrate your first Father’s Day:
1) Go all out with your whole crew
Sure, it’s meant to honor you as the proud new papa. But bringing your partner and baby along for the experience makes it even more meaningful. Plan an all-day extravaganza like catching a baseball game with a tipsy tailgate, followed by a picnic at the park.
Stop for ice cream and make a million dad jokes. Or hit up the local children’s museum or zoo and watch with wonder as your kid discovers the world. The day is about soaking up every ounce of your new family life.
2) Stay in and be an unapologetic slob…for a few hours
Being a first-time dad is like signing up for an ultramarathon of parenting. This Father’s Day, indulge in some guilt-free rest and recovery. Sleep in until 10 am, then roll out of bed still rocking your tattered old basketball shorts.
Plop on the couch and spend a few hours watching terrible TV, snacking on all the junk food, farting unchecked…all while your saint of a partner handles 100% of baby duties just this once. It’s the simple joys, right?
3) Throw a cringe-worthy “First Father’s Day” bash
Doing it big with a party theme feels so fitting for this landmark occasion. Make dad-centric foods like “forgotten family recipe” meat pies, “diaper danishes,” and a cake with a frosting tie or mustache for laughs.
Dust off those greeting card-corny “dad” jokes and corniness is the vibe. Paper the walls with embarrassing photos chronicling your biggest new dad fails so far. And if your budget allows, get a custom “Dad’s First Father’s Day” koozies as party favors. Lean into the cheese factor and you’re guaranteed to make some amazingly cringe-worthy memories.
4) Plant the seed for a new annual tradition
However you spend June 18th this year, make it something you can uphold annually from here on out. Maybe it’s getting decked out in your Sunday best for an overproduced family photoshoot.
Or hitting up a specific brunch spot that becomes “your place” every Father’s Day. Having reliable traditions makes the holiday feel even more special and celebratory of this new chapter of fatherhood.
Conclusion: You Survived the First Year – How to Celebrate Your First Father’s Day
No matter which path you take for how to celebrate your first Father’s Day, the most important thing is appreciating the wild new ride of father life.
Don’t put too much pressure on making it “perfect” – simply experiencing this new dimension of love is more than enough. Soak it in, make some goofy memories, and get ready for many more Father’s Days to follow!
READ: Parenting Styles: Striking the Right Balance Between Control and Freedom
Parenting isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, and figuring out how to balance control and freedom can feel like walking a tightrope.
How do you ensure your child grows up disciplined yet independent? How much is too much control, and when does freedom become neglected? Read here.
