Tropical Greenery: Origins of Father's Day Are Surprisingly Recent
Embracing the Evolution of Father's Day and Mother's Day
This weekend marks the celebration of Father's Day, a holiday that, compared to Mother's Day, has a more recent history.
Tracing back the roots, Mother's Day has been recognized as a day to honor mothers for an expansive timespan, predating even Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in various forms. Artwork and artifacts across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East pay tribute to the female as the symbol of life and fertility. As societies shifted toward patriarchies, the importance of both men and women became a topic of conversation. Navigating this balance has proven to be a challenge, particularly in politics and religious practices.
One method to achieve balance was the establishment of Father's Day. Prior to women's suffrage, Father's Day has been celebrated for approximately a century in the United States. Its inception took place in 1910 at a YMCA in Spokane, Washington, by Sonora Smart Dodd, who sought to honor her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children as a single parent.
Catholic countries in Europe have celebrated Father's Day as St. Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages.
Father's Day is essentially a day to acknowledge our fathers. To make the day extra memorable, it's an opportunity to spend the day together engaging in shared activities.
To make the day truly unforgettable, consider a unique and thoughtful gift, such as a tree. Trees serve as the planet's lungs, providing oxygen and contributing to a greener environment for generations to come. An indoor landscaping project, such as planting a tree or other plants, can be a fun and educational family activity that dad will appreciate.
If you've already found the perfect gift, why not add a living gift as well? While practical gifts like lawnmowers, tools, or cigars are appreciated by many fathers, a living gift offers a personal and lasting reminder of your affection. Potted indoor plants can serve as a refreshing addition to any home or office space and can remind dad of you whenever he sees them.
Indoor plants are an affordable and effortless way to infuse a touch of nature into your living spaces. Not only do they enhance the aesthetic appeal of a home, but they also improve air quality and mental well-being. With more people opting for condominiums, apartments, and smaller yards, indoor gardening has become increasingly popular as a means to enjoy nature within the comfort of one's home.
Consider selecting plants that thrive in low light and dry conditions, such as bromeliads, nephytis, bird nest fern, Boston fern, or rhapis palm, for indoor locations. When choosing plants, be certain to choose the right pot for the right plant and provide proper care to keep your indoor garden thriving. With the right selection and care, indoor gardening can serve as a rewarding and lasting hobby to bond with your father.
Norman Bezona, professor emeritus at the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, offers additional guidance and resources for plant selection and care to enhance your Father's Day gift.
Events like Father's Day expansion into home-and-garden activities reflects the evolving role of men in family lifestyle, parallel to the longstanding tradition of Mother's Day. Politics and religious practices have historically favored patriarchal values, but the balance is being addressed through initiatives such as gardening and lifestyle events.
