What to write in a Father’s Day card

A lot of fathers are uncomfortable being thanked directly, which is why so many Father’s Day cards are jokes. A joke is fine — just put one honest line after it. The combination is what most people are actually trying to say, and it reads better than either half on its own.

Warm

Friendly, unfussy, safe with almost anybody.

• Cheers, dad. Happy Father’s Day.
• Happy Father’s Day — hope you get the day you want, which is probably no plans.
• Thanks for everything. Happy Father’s Day.
• Happy Father’s Day. Put your feet up; you’ve earned it.
• To the best of them. Happy Father’s Day.

Funny

A joke with affection behind it. Read the room first.

• Happy Father’s Day. Your jokes are terrible and I have inherited them.
• Thanks for the DIY advice I ignored and later needed.
• Happy Father’s Day. The thermostat is yours today.
• You taught me to drive, reverse park and worry. Two out of three were useful.
• Happy Father’s Day. No, I still haven’t checked my oil.

Heartfelt

For the people you would actually say this to out loud.

• Thank you for showing up, every time, without making a thing of it.
• Happy Father’s Day. A lot of how I do things came from watching you.
• Thanks for being steady. It mattered more than you’d let me say.
• Happy Father’s Day — I’m grateful for you, and I don’t say it often enough.
• Thank you for the quiet things. They were the ones that counted.

Simple

When short is the right answer, and it often is.

• Happy Father’s Day!
• Happy Father’s Day, with love.
• Thanks for everything, dad.
• Have a good one. Happy Father’s Day.
• Thinking of you today.

What to avoid

• Don’t lean entirely on a joke. One honest sentence after it is the whole point.
• Don’t use “world’s best dad” unless it is a running joke between you.
• Don’t make it about golf, beer or the shed unless those are actually his.
• Don’t write a card that would work equally well for anyone’s father.