Father’s Day is an important holiday for fathers and father figures, such as grandfathers, stepfathers and uncles. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate Father’s Day: some dads spend it grilling in the backyard, others spend it at sporting events or playing sports with their kids, some go out to restaurants, and others celebrate in completely unique ways, like family hikes or board game nights. However you celebrate Father’s Day, if you’re celebrating the fathers in your life, you’re doing it right.
In addition to grilling or board games, show Dad you’re thinking about him and that you care with Happy Father’s Day messages in greeting cards and on personalized gifts. These messages could be Happy Father’s Day quotes or completely original wishes. It’s not always easy to find the perfect words for Father’s Day messages, so we’ve gathered up some of our favorites to inspire you.
Key takeaways
- Learn the different aspects of writing a thoughtful Father’s Day card.
- There are many different people to consider for Father’s Day, and we have example Happy Father’s Day messages for each of them: Dad, stepfathers, grandpas, sons and partners.
- Your message should reflect your unique relationship, so we’ve included different messages, from heartwarming to funny.
How to write a Father’s Day card
Writing a Father’s Day card involves more than adding a few Happy Father’s Day wishes to a generic piece of stationery. Great cards are personalized to their recipients and express your unique relationship with them. As you explore Happy Father’s Day quotes, think about your relationship to the card’s recipient. Who is he to you? For example, a card to your father needs a very different message from a card to your husband.
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The first step in writing a Father’s Day card is choosing a message. As you think about your relationship with the recipient, think about whether you want a funny, sentimental or thought-provoking message. A quote can succinctly express your feelings, and an original message can express what’s in your heart.
Once you’ve determined which type of message you’d like to write, think about the quality you want to highlight. This is a key part of personalizing the message. Maybe you want to talk about how your father inspired you to go outside your comfort zone or how he always knows how to lighten the mood. Jot down a few ideas, then determine which is most in line with what you aim to express through your Happy Father’s Day wishes.
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Finally, end your Happy Father’s Day messages by expressing how much the recipient means to you. Tell him you love him, and if you’d like, go beyond this and express how proud you are of him or how thankful you are to have him in your life.
Heartwarming Father’s Day messages and quotes
There’s no relationship like the relationship you have with your father. In your Happy Father’s Day message, tell Dad how you feel with a sentimental, heartwarming message or quote, like:
- “Dad, you taught me everything I need to know. How to change a tire, how to fix the router and most importantly, how to love.”
- “Anybody can be a father, but only a special guy gets to be called “Dad.” Happy Father’s Day, Dad.”
- “You’re my hero! Happy Father’s Day!”
- “You have my whole heart. You always did. You’re the best guy. You always were.”—Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Father’s Day message and quotes for stepfathers
If you have a stepfather, wish him a Happy Father’s Day too! Stepfathers come in all types, so whether yours is just “Dad” or you have a distinct relationship with him versus your biological father, tell him how much he matters this Father’s Day with a message like:
- “When you married Mom, you stepped up to the plate and became the best stepfather I could ask for. Happy Father’s Day!”
- “Blood doesn’t make a family, love does. There’s nothing I love more than having you in my life.”
- “Technically, you’re my stepdad, but to me, you’ve always just been Dad. Happy Father’s Day.”
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Funny and irreverent Father’s Day messages and quotes
There’s nothing better than a good dad joke. Dish up the same kind of humor with a funny or irreverent Father’s Day wish, like:
- “Having children is like living in a frat house—nobody sleeps, everything’s broken, and there’s a lot of throwing up.”—Ray Romano
- “If you’re wondering why I’m taking everybody except you out this Father’s Day, it’s because I’m giving you the one thing you really wanted: a nap.”
- “You were right about everything. Happy Father’s Day!”
- “I hope this Father’s Day pops off, Pops!”
- “Having one child makes you a parent. Having two kids makes you a referee.”—David Frost
Father’s Day messages for grandfathers
Don’t forget Grandpa this Father’s Day! After all, he was Dad long before he became Grandpa. Celebrate him with a message like:
- “Only the best fathers get promoted to grandfathers. Happy Father’s Day!”
- “Happy Father’s Day to the grandest of grandfathers.”
- “I’m following your example, not your advice. Thank you for showing me how to be a dad.”
- “Happy Father’s Day to my favorite coffee-drinking curmudgeon. I love you and wouldn’t have it any other way!”
Source: Custom mugs are great gift ideas for the Father figure in your life via VistaPrint
Father’s Day messages for partners
If your partner is a father, celebrate him this Father’s Day. Parenting together completely changes your relationship, and don’t be shy to be open about that in your Father’s Day message—whether you say so in a sentimental or funny way. Here are a few ideas:
- “Seeing you become a father has made me love you so much more than I ever thought I could. Happy Father’s Day!”
- “You’re an amazing husband, but that pales in comparison to who you are as a dad.”
- “There’s nobody else in the world I’d rather raise a family with. Happy Father’s Day!”
- “We used to be young, hot and carefree. Now we’re parents. Happy Father’s Day!”
- “Thank you for being such an amazing father and partner. Our family wouldn’t be the same without you.”
Father’s Day quotes and messages for sons and sons-in-law
It can be surreal to see your son or son-in-law become a father. Express your feelings about this transition and his role as a father with Father’s Day messages like:
- “Watching you become a dad has been life-changing. I’m so proud of you and can’t wait to see what the future holds. Happy Father’s Day!”
- “I couldn’t have asked for a better son, and your children couldn’t have asked for a better father. Happy Father’s Day!”
- “You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes, even if it’s just in your own eyes.”—Walter M. Schirra Sr.
Thought-provoking Father’s Day wishes and quotes
If Dad’s a thoughtful guy, write a Happy Father’s Day message that will make him think. Because once you make Dad think, you’ll make him feel.
- “The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.”—Tim Russert
- “When I think of where I got my values, my attitude and my sense of humor, I think of you. Happy Father’s Day!”
- “Becoming a father, I think it inevitably changes your perspective of life.” —Hugh Jackman
- “Fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man.”—Frank Pittman
- “On this Father’s Day, I celebrate not just the love and care you’ve shown me, but the courage it takes to be a father every single day. Thank you for being my constant inspiration.”
Source: Book cover design by Adi Bustaman via 99designs by VistaPrint
Inspirational Father’s Day messages are just the beginning
Father’s Day is a special day to celebrate the wonderful dads in your life, whether that’s your father, your grandfather, your spouse, your brother, your friend or a variety of great dads. Celebrate the impact they’ve had on their children with a special personalized Father’s Day gift, and don’t forget a unique card with an original message.
