Contrary to popular belief, dads need some loving too. My dad for instance is pretty much the strong silent type who works all year round. Father’s Day is one of those rare days when he takes a break, so I always try my best to make sure they end with a smile on his face.

After planning half a dozen Father’s Day celebrations over the years, I think I’ve cracked the secret code to getting the perfect gift for your dad every time. It all boils down to knowing their love language. It might sound a tad farfetched but trust me, it works!

Basically, there are five love languages that describe how we receive and express love in every relationship. They were identified by noted author and marriage counsellor Gary Chapman in his book, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts.

The five love languages

• Acts of service
• Physical touch
• Words of affirmation
• Quality time
• Receiving gifts

Everyone has a primary love language that they feel strongly connected to and you can find out which one is yours or your dad’s by taking a quick quiz here. Once you have identified your dad’s main love language (some dads may fall into more than one category), read on for some great ideas on how to surprise him.

Acts of service – The UNO reverse

No, you don’t actually have to play UNO for this one! Fathers spend so much time in service to their families. Driving you to school/work, being the handyman for the house and the list goes on. This Father’s Day, reverse those roles and let the old man rest! Be his chauffeur for a change, volunteer to do his chores or cook him a nice meal. Tick whatever you can off his to-do list, so he has more time to unwind.

Physical touch – A time for hugs

This love language really isn’t as weird as you think. We grow up hugging our parents to feel a sense of warmth and security. Personally, I can tell you that’s a feeling that never fades even when we grow up. I’ve hugged my dad a total of four times in my young adult life, but I can tell you that each one was a special, heartwarming moment.

Not a fan of hugs? You can also engage in some physical activities like bowling or going on a hike together with the rest of the family. Getting your heart pumping is also a great way to destress.

If all else fails, you can always whisk him off for a nice spa or massage treatment where a professional can unknot his muscles and knead his cares away.

Words of affirmation – Say it to his face

When was the last time you told your dad you loved him? Heck, sometimes I don’t even thank my dad when he buys me breakfast. The truth is, we often take our dad’s love for granted so let’s be intentional in our appreciation of our fathers. If you’re too shy to say the words, write a card to your dad to tell him you think the world of him. Parenting shouldn’t be a thankless job so why not spell it out for him?

Not the creative type? You can always hop on this Canva page and make use of their many free Father’s Day templates to create tasteful cards you can personalise and print to mark the occasion.

Quality time – Make new memories

Life in Singapore can get way too hectic sometimes. The actual time we spend together as a family gets relegated to mealtimes or weekends and sometimes there’s none at all! This Father’s Day, take the opportunity to not only reconnect with your dad but the entire family. Avoid restaurant crowds and work with your mum and siblings to cook your dad’s favourite dishes before winding down with some board games or a movie. Trust me when I say that it is the intimate moments like these that dads remember most!

Alternatively, check out our list of five homegrown museums that include everything from giant dinosaur fossils to VR exhibits. They’re sure to wow the whole family and make memories you’ll fondly look back on.

Receiving gifts – More than just things

Sure, you could go for ANOTHER tie he’ll never wear or one of those tacky “Best Dad in the World” mugs but why not try something out of the box this year? If you’re a young adult like me, why not give your pops some peace of mind this year? Show him that you’ve grown up and know how to take care of yourself.

In my case, I proved my financial savvy to my dad by managing the budget for my wedding and setting up my own personal insurance. I could tell it was a proud dad moment for him when I shaved down an insurance premium that was thousands of dollars a year to just S$7.50 per month. I did it by signing up for the MINDEF/MHA Voluntary Scheme.  Pro tip, you can help you dad sign up and save on his premiums too! All fathers who have served national service can enjoy up to S$1 million in coverage from just S$0.83/day¹ when they sign up for the Group Term Life plan.

All you need is love

At the end of the day, the best gift is one that comes from the heart. Don’t just wait for Father’s Day to roll around to celebrate either; remember to show consistent care and love for the man who raised you and has been there for you. He certainly deserves it.

^Notes

^{1. Premium shown is based on monthly rate (rounding off to the nearest cent) for an Insured Person, aged 65 and below at next birthday.}