6 Father’s Day Facts to Bring Customers to Your Small Business

Father holding and kissing smiling baby boy with matching haircut

If you’re a dad or have one, you know that June is for blooming roses, summer sun, and Father’s Day. Wondering how to celebrate Father’s Day to grow your small business? What are the best Father’s Day promotion ideas? And how about Father’s Day giveaway ideas? What do the hardworking, hard-charging, fun-loving fathers among us want on their day, anyway? We have answers!

1. When Is Father’s Day?

If you’re aiming for a Father’s Day promotion, we better get the date right. Father’s Day always falls on the third Sunday in June, close to summer solstice, marking the onset of summer and the longest day of sunlight.

2. How Did Father’s Day Start?

Is Father’s Day an “also-ran” compared to Mother’s Day? You may wonder if Father’s Day is merely a “Hallmark Holiday” designed to sell cards and power tools (both upstanding Father’s Day gift choices, as it turns out, but more on that later) while moms rake in all the meaningful gifts along with mountains of true and lasting love the month prior. The answer? Well, sort of.

Father’s Day has been around for more than a century (since 1910) and has been an official, permanent celebration since 1972. Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington made it all happen. Setting the scene here: It was 1908, and Mother’s Day had just become an annual celebration. Sonora Dodd, whose Dad, William Smart, a Civil War veteran, had raised Sonora, along with her five siblings after their mom died during childbirth. Sonora felt her dad (and all dads) deserved their own day of recognition. The result? Father’s Day. Thanks, Sonora! ¹

3. How Many Fathers Are There, Anyway?

A lot! If you’re wondering if it’s worth it to wonder how to celebrate Father’s Day, check out these stats:²

Six in 10 men are fathers (that’s about 72 million in the U.S.)

Twenty percent of single parents are men

4. What Do Dads Really Want on Father’s Day?

Looking for a homerun with your Father’s Day promotion? Focus on these items for your small business in June, and buy them for the dads in your life:³

5. How Can My Small Business Prepare for Father’s Day?

If your business is in one of these areas, Father’s Day is a chance to go big with branding and Dad-based promotions. If you’re looking at Father’s Day giveaway ideas, consider these categories:

Sporting Goods: Numbering around 20,000 in the U.S., sporting goods stores almost always have something for fathers, from fishing rods and golf clubs to swim trunks and beach chairs.
Hardware Stores: With 15,000 hardware stores and 6,000 home centers in the U.S. alone, these stores are packed with papa favorites including hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, along with lighting, lawn ornaments, and other weekend warrior essentials.
Men’s Clothing Stores: A shirt, a tie, a baseball cap—whatever you grab at one of the 7,000 men’s clothing stores across the country, dad’s sure to feel loved and look nice for dinner out or while cheering on the home team with his favorite fans (his kids).
Landscaping Services: Leave the lawn mowing to someone else while dad sips a cold one. Woth 108,000 businesses that provide landscaping services, you can support your community and give your dad a break at the same time.
Auto Repair: If you’re in auto repair (there are 82,000 auto repair businesses nationwide), June is the time to offer special perks and Father’s Day discounts to your dad customers and their gift-seeking families.
Barber Shops: We’d say every dad could use some TLC, and a haircut at one of the 6,000 barbers shops across the U.S. is the perfect way to give dad a scalp massage and an updated do.³

6. What Are Father’s Day Giveaway Ideas for My Small Business?

Leverage the fun of Father’s Day by giving Dads a promotional gift around the holiday. We like these dad-centric giveaways, customized with your logo or other special messaging:

Special Pen Sets and Stationery

Not sure what he’ll like? Every dad takes a note or signs a check. Check out these stylish, functional sets:

Alpha Pen & Flashlight Gift Set with Window Box

Engraved Note Organizer & Paragon Pen

Promotional Golf Gifts

Dads are everywhere, and so is golf. Go big with a golf gift they’ll keep close at hand:

60″ Arc Splash of Color Golf Umbrella

The Classic – 6 Function Golf Knife

Customized Tools

Encourage dad to tinker, or just chillax on the couch, with a tool for tasks or a tool for happy hour:

Gunmetal 7 Function Pocket Knife

Personalized Caps and Clothing

Hosting a Father’s Day event? Distribute these quality clothing items to get the dads feeling special and looking stylish:

Gildan® Heavy Blend™ Crewneck Sweatshirt-Colors

Valucap Bio-Washed Unstructured Cap

Celebrate and Say Thanks This Father’s Day

If your Father’s Day promotion includes some pats on the back, down time for Dad, and a Father’s Day giveaway big or small, you’re on track for a winning celebration among the dads in your life and your community. How to celebrate Father’s Day? Hug your dad. Send a card. Wash the car. That’ll do!