Sure, you could take dad to a restaurant or the movies or to the golf course for Father’s Day. Or even pack up the family and go for a trip. But, if money is tight, or even if you just want something special and unique to do with dad on his special day, consider bringing an awesome adventure to dad instead of the other way around.
Transforming your home into an exotic local is easier than you might think. First pick a place dad loves, or a place he’s always wanted to go. Then do a little research. The internet makes this kind of project easy. Restaurants and cafe’s offer virtual walking tours and post their menus. Famous landmarks have websites full of details about the location. Cities have walking maps you can access online and of course, Google Maps satellite function allows you to actually see what a certain restaurant or tourist location actually looks right at this moment.
Start by setting the scene. Have the kids draw appropriate “views” from a famous Venetian restaurant and tape them over the windows. Or make cut outs of the statues in a Central Park and hang them from the trees in the back yard. String up some Christmas lights, put on some location appropriate music and dress the kids up as waiters, sherpa guides, gondoliers or whatever the location demands.
Now it’s time to think of a menu. Check out www.epicurious.com and find some location appropriate food – hot dogs for Central Park, Italian for Venice, Italy and so on – and have the kids help you decorate menus for dinner. Can’t decide on one location? You can turn your house into a full blown trip around the world if you want to. Dad will feel just as loved and appreciated as he would if you took him out, and he won’t ever have to even think the words, “If you don’t stop teasing your sister I WILL turn this car around.”
