A Surprising Approach to Father’s Day: What Dads Truly Want
Science says Dad may truly want gratitude more than gifts.
Posted May 19, 2026 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk
Searching for that perfect present for Father’s Day? A tie? A new set of golf clubs? Tickets to a baseball game? These are some of the many stereotypical Father’s Day gifts we all may be scrambling to purchase this week. But is that what Dad really wants or what will make him happy?
Maybe not. Science has demonstrated that we are happiest when we feel valued and loved, something that makes sense given that, as social beings, we thrive in connection. Humans, male and female, have a core drive to love and be loved.
This idea goes beyond the notion that money can’t buy you love—rather, it’s that money can’t show love. What fathers really want on their dedicated day is to be shown love and appreciation. This special present requires we look no further than our hearts and our words.
Gratitude is as good for us to give as it is good for Dad to receive, and it can be as simple as saying, “thank you.”
Gratitude works its magic in myriad ways we are only starting to understand. Here are a few ways that gratitude is particularly relevant to families and Father’s Day.
As parents, and perhaps as people, love and appreciation are all we really want, and appear to be a cornerstone of happiness. By teaching our children to be thankful for their parents’ efforts, we give them the gift of gratitude, further cementing their relationship with us and enabling us to feel like our efforts are appreciated. And by saying thank you to our own partners, we nurture our relationship as partners and crystallize our roles as parents.
Showing love and saying thank you to Dad on Father’s Day solidifies what he wants most—our love and admiration. You are never too old to say thank you to Dad. Your words might just be the best present you can give him.
Looking for more help with parenting and relationships? Learn more in my book Hack Your Anxiety and access free tools to help you manage fear and anxiety.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.00481…
https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/what_we_do/major_initiatives/expanding_gratit…
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/happiness_is_about_respec…
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Alicia Clark, Psy.D., is a Washington, D.C.-based psychologist specializing in anxiety and relationships, and author of the book, Hack Your Anxiety .
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.