Crabby Office Lady

I love summer. I love the smell of freshly mown grass, I love the flowers popping up in the most unlikely places, and I love that it's a no-shoveling season (at least in the northern hemisphere). Summer is also time to celebrate the dads in our lives.

Summer is a time for being outside, hosting barbecues, getting green hair from all that swimming, and perhaps even spending a little time at the beach or camping. The start of summer is also when we honor our dads on Father's Day.

You may wonder what the Crabby Office Lady column has to do with Father's Day, so I'll just go ahead and spell it out for you:

1. I have a father (his name is Stanley — hi Dad!), and among the accomplishments in his life are these: a husband for 45 years, a passionate violinist, a music teacher, a librarian, a 70-year-old flight attendant, a world traveler, a gardener, an ever-present responder to "Dad? Can you come over NOW and help me do <fill in task here>," and a terrific grandpa to six — almost seven —grandchildren.
2. Once in a while I like to tackle a subject that is a tad lighter than macros, forms, and databases (oh my!).

So, as long as you don't begrudge me these two things, we'll get along fine during the course of this column. And what is this column about? No, it isn't about how to become a dad, because chances are, if you're reading this column, you're already aware of the mechanics of baby-making and anyway, what do I know about fatherhood?

This column is about getting creative with the ways you can honor your dad this month, whether it's with a party, a handmade card, or perhaps a bit of software as a gift. (Hmmmm … I wonder what kind?)

Father's Day: A good time for a template

No matter what you have planned for Dad this year, you can always make it look extra special with a very cool invitation or a card the kids made. Lucky for you, we here at Office Online offer both the program and the template to help you get started. And whether your dad is a golfing dad, a fix-it dad, a jokester dad, or none of those (but so much more), chances are we can help you out.

Some of the templates I'll list below are specifically for Father's Day, but I've also included some others that you can … retrofit … as it were, to make them suitable for, well, just about any occasion.

Publisher templates

• Father's Day card (with barbecue — Publisher)
  Everyone loves a barbecue (even vegetarians and vegans — why do you think tofu dogs and soy patties are so sizzling in the summer?). Now you just have to figure out how to get Dad away from the grill and let someone else handle the spatula — or rotisserie — for a change.
• Party invitation flyer — Publisher
  Here's a flyer that you can customize for any sort of Father's Day get-together, whether it be a barbecue, a brunch, or even a family-style mini-golf competition.
• Dinner party invitation — Publisher
  If you're hosting something a little more lah dee dah, such as a dinner party, this template may be just what you're looking for.
• Father's Day card (from daughter)
  Whether you're 5 or 45, you'll always be Daddy's little girl. Make him feel special with a card just from you. Use the cute image in the template, or make one of your own. If you're a kid, draw a picture of yourself and use it, or perhaps use a photo of yourself. This card will be kept in the keepsake box forever.
• Father's Day card (from son)
  Fathers and sons have a special bond. (I'm fairly certain that after my brother's teenage years, he and my dad are still friends — I think.) Again, use the cute dad-and-son image we've created for you in this template, draw one yourself, or use a photo. Customizing a special card can say a lot of things, from "I love you, Dad, even though you'll beat me at chess forever" to "I'm sorry I stole and wrecked the family car when I was 14 … " (Uh, true story.)
• Father's Day card (from wife)
  Some moms do it as single mom, but a lot of moms have Dad there by their side through the fun, the travails, and the interminable car trips across the country. Let your kids' dad (or stepdad or grandpa, or simply the paternal figure in the kids' lives) know how much he means to you.
• General Father's Day half-fold card
  This is your basic greeting card that you can customize with your own images and text.
• Father's Day card (fishing)
  This template has a beautiful photo of two men fishing in the sunset (or perhaps it's sunrise). Use this image, or perhaps substitute it for a special one of your own.
• Father's Day gift coupons
  This is a very cute idea for the little ones: Instead of buying dad some Aqua Velva after-shave (I know, I'm dating myself here), have your children create a coupon book for dad of some things they can do for him. Ideas are: Mowing the lawn, giving him a shave (yeah, right!), or making him his breakfast.
• Party invitation
  This is a general invitation that you can customize to fit your needs.
• Party invitation flyer
  Another general party invitation that leaves your path to creativity wide open.
• Party planner
  Have something big planned? This Excel workbook party planner helps you keep track of whom you've invited (as well as their RSVPs), the kinds of music you've got on board, the list of decorations you'll need, and what sort of delightful beverages and sumptuous foods you'll be offering to celebrate and spoil the dads and granddads in the group.

The gift

Of course, it's a given that every dad loves a card, a party, and perhaps more importantly, a hug. But it's also a given that every dad loves a gift. The newspapers, TV ads, and magazines would have you believe that Dad would love a tie, some plaid golf pants, or a fancy shirt. But let's get real. What Dad really wants is cold, hard … software. And wouldn't you know it, I know just where you can get the best and brightest.

How about some special offers at stores that are probably near you? I'd call that a slam dunk, a hole-in-one, a home run, and even a hardy perennial (that's for you, Dad).

• 2007 Microsoft Office Special Offers

Thanks, Dad

And before I leave you to plan your party or head off shopping, let me share with you one of my favorite photos (I'm getting a little teary-eyed  — me! Crabby!). It's of my dad, and my daughter, the beautiful and very-rarely-Crabby-Office-Baby. (Both have acquiesced to my using their photos on this site.) Happy Father's Day, Dad.

"Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope." — Bill Cosby

About the author

Annik Stahl, the Crabby Office Lady columnist, takes all of your complaints, compliments, and knee-jerk reactions to heart. Therefore, she graciously asks that you let her know whether this column was useful to you — or not — by entering your feedback using the Was this information helpful? tool below. And remember: If you don't vote, you can't complain.