Let's be honest—this has been a unique year. It's been a challenging year, one that has turned the whole world on its head. Celebrations and holidays look a whole lot different from what they did before, and we've all had to think a lot more creatively about how we can honor events and people in safe and responsible but still thoughtful and enjoyable ways. This Father's Day, that big, annual cookout or block party might not be safe, but there are certainly still ways to make the dads in your life feel special. We think it's time to take a page from the Mother's Day playbook and treat dad to a little pampering and self-care. From pedicures to face masks, in 2021 men are finally getting on board with intentionally taking better care of their bodies and minds, and we are all about it.
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As we call for men to embrace all aspects of their being—not just the so-called manly attributes—we should also be supporting and encouraging their efforts to get in touch with themselves and tend to their own emotional needs. Now maybe more than ever, we all need to be taking the time to tend to ourselves so we can come out of this intact and maybe even better and stronger than ever. For many people, that begins with self-care. But many men have no idea where to start when it comes to self-care, so why not use this Father's Day as an opportunity to help your favorite dad along by initiating the pampering? Here are some Father's Day self-care and pampering ideas to get you started:
Bath salts are the male version of bubble bath.
If your man is open to the idea of a soak in the tub but not so sure about the girlie-seeming over-the-top bubbles, get him some bath salts to soak in instead. There are tons of woodsy, beachy, masculine-scented bath salts on the market that have excellent skin softening and relaxation benefits. We like the mineral bath salts from Kneipp.
Men's feet need some TLC, too.
You know how amazing it feels to soak your feet after a long day, right? Share that bliss with your man by setting up a foot spa for him. It can be as simple as a large pan of warm water spiked with essential oils, or you could even buy him an electric foot spa with bubbles and a massager that he can break out to enjoy again and again. Bonus: You'll get the benefit of his feet being softer in bed at night.
Hook up his beard.
Whether he grew a quarantine beard or has been bearded for a while, beard care should be a priority for any man sporting facial hair. Hook him up this Father's Day with a selection of beard products, including beard wash, beard oil, and a nice-quality beard brush or comb. You can even find beard conditioner that will help keep the scruff soft and supple. Target offers a nice selection from brands like Duke Cannon, Goodfellow & Co, Cremo, and SheaMoisture.
Teach him about skin care.
Skin care isn't just for women! If the father of your children is still washing his face with shampoo or, even worse, that utilitarian bar soap, it's time to upgrade him. Pick him up a good-quality face soap that is well-suited to his skin type, and teach him how to wash his face properly. It doesn't have to be expensive—lots of drugstore brands now have lines dedicated to men's skin care.
Introduce dad to face masks.
Applying a sheet mask is fun, kind of silly, and definitely nourishing to the skin. Not only is it great for the skin, but it's also fun to do it as a family. Dad may feel a bit goofy at first, but if you make it a family activity and get the kids in on it, it becomes a time for bonding and pampering. Mud masks work as well, and we're sure that once your man tries it, he'll enjoy it so much he'll want to do it again and again.
For goodness' sake, get him some moisturizer.
My husband hardly ever moisturized his face until I bought him a dedicated facial moisturizer, and now he's hooked. For the most part, men aren't taught these things as teenagers like girls are. They learn to shave, and that's about it, so many of them don't even know what their options are. If you take the guesswork out by gifting him a good moisturizer, you'll be helping pops get into a healthy habit that will make him feel like he's doing something good for himself daily. We're fond of Bulldog products around here.
Make him a relaxing playlist.
Yes, like an old-school mix tape but digital, and instead of romantic love songs, fill this Father's Day playlist with the most chill tunes by dad's favorite artists. Maybe even throw some instrumentals in there so he has something totally relaxing to listen to while he soaks in a hot bath and does his new skin care routine. Try Spotify, which offers massive music collections and is easy to use.
Help dad get into meditation.
A lot of men—especially busy dads—can benefit from a regular meditation practice. Even just 10 minutes a day can make a big difference in stress levels, but it can be a hard practice to get into. Subscribe your man to a meditation app this Father's Day, and give him a bit of kids-free time during the day to get started. Calm is a good one.
Serve breakfast in bed.
Breakfast in bed is a typical gift expected on Mother's Day or mom's birthday, but why not let dad sleep in and wake up to breakfast in bed on Father's Day? Many dads these days are super-involved in the day-to-day workings of their family life and contribute to child care, house chores, cooking, and everything else, so of course they would appreciate a morning off.
Introduce dad to essential oils.
We don't know how essential oils became something that only women use—moms specifically—but they can have lots of health and wellness benefits for men, too. Gift your guy an essential oil diffuser and a starter set of oils, perhaps with some relaxing lavender, invigorating peppermint, and energizing grapefruit oils. The simple act of falling asleep and waking up to aromatherapy can truly help improve quality of life.
Ditch the honey-do list.
We know that weekends are precious when it comes to tackling that long list of things that need to get done, but this Father's Day weekend, let dad off the hook. Ditch the honey-do list, and let dad have a break from the weekend warrior life. If he wants to sit around and play video games all afternoon, so be it. He probably works hard all week and most weekends and deserves some actual time off.
Carve out some time for hobbies.
One of the major changes that comes with parenthood is that we lose time to spend on our hobbies. It happens to all of us, and it's one of the main reasons it can feel like we lose a bit of ourselves once we have children. What a special gift it is for your partner to honor you by carving out some time for you to reconnect with something you enjoy doing. So maybe you send your man off on a solo bike ride, or you commandeer the kids while he spends a couple of hours drawing or painting, or perhaps you just leave him undisturbed while he gets in a good workout. Let him choose, and let it be guilt-free time.
Bump up the comfort level.
A good night's sleep can be priceless for parents, and a cozy new pillow and brand-new soft sheets can go a long way to making that happen. A new pillow and sheets might be an unconventional Father's Day gift, but what a treat it will be for dad to slip into a hotel-worthy bed for an afternoon nap. We highly recommend bamboo sheets, which are super-soft and breathable, but still affordable.
It's true—men love candles.
You love candles, I love candles, and men love candles, too. My man loves things that smell good and gets just as much joy out of a brand-new scented candle as I do. Pick out a candle for your partner that you think will suit his taste. Companies like The Candle Lab offer some truly unique scents to choose from, or you can create a candle with a customized jar and label design from online stores like Shutterfly.
Flowers make everyone feel special.
Flowers make people smile—man or woman. The beauty of flowers stirs something in us and brings joy. What a special surprise it would be to gift dad a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a show of love and appreciation. There are tons of varieties to choose from at local flower shops, including many types of flowers that don't look girlie at all. If you're still unsure, though, a beautiful green plant is another wonderful option and has the bonus of being good for the air quality in your home. Go for it!
Psst: If you choose to purchase an item on this list, MamásLatinas may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
