Back to basics: Quality time tops the league of Father’s Day gifts for UK Dads

• Simple pleasures such as a meal out with the family, hugs from their children and receiving a Father's Day card are the top three ways to make the perfect Father's Day, according to new research from Royal Mail.
• But, despite these findings, its survey of 2,000 UK dads found that they were most likely to receive generic gifts such as beer (32 per cent), socks (29 per cent) and aftershave (24 per cent) this Father's Day. And, if previous experience is anything to go by, around one in four (23 per cent) can expect a 'World's Greatest Dad' mug for the shelves this June 17!
• Eighty per cent of British dads say they receive a card or a present, or both, every year.
• When fathers are unable to be with their children in person on the day, a Father's Day card was the most valued way for children to show their love for their dads - selected by 28 per cent of respondents. This is followed by a video call (22 per cent) and a phone call (20 per cent).
• Those who preferred a card did so because it was more personal and because they could keep it. In fact, seven out of ten dads have kept some or all of the Father's Day cards they have received from their children.
• When asked what would make them happiest in general, four in 10 fathers selected receiving a Father's Day card or handmade Father's Day present, and 34 per cent opted for quality time with their children.
• In fact, UK dads said these things would make them happier than their favourite sports team winning the league (22 per cent), getting a new car (23 per cent) or getting a promotion at work (14 per cent).
• In a bid to ensure that British dads are made to feel as appreciated as they should do this Father's Day, the Company has partnered with founder of Dad Blog UK John Adams to produce a series of tips on how to keep modern dads happy.
• Dads in Belfast are most likely to keep their Father's Day cards throughout the years (75%), followed by fathers in London (73%), Cardiff (70%), Worcester (70%), Northampton (69%) and Manchester (69%).

• Simple pleasures such as a meal out with the family, hugs from their children and receiving a Father's Day card are the top three ways to make the perfect Father's Day, according to new research from Royal Mail.
• But, despite these findings, its survey of 2,000 UK dads found that they were most likely to receive generic gifts such as beer (32 per cent), socks (29 per cent) and aftershave (24 per cent) this Father's Day. And, if previous experience is anything to go by, around one in four (23 per cent) can expect a 'World's Greatest Dad' mug for the shelves this June 17!
• Eighty per cent of British dads say they receive a card or a present, or both, every year.
• When fathers are unable to be with their children in person on the day, a Father's Day card was the most valued way for children to show their love for their dads - selected by 28 per cent of respondents. This is followed by a video call (22 per cent) and a phone call (20 per cent).
• Those who preferred a card did so because it was more personal and because they could keep it. In fact, seven out of ten dads have kept some or all of the Father's Day cards they have received from their children.
• When asked what would make them happiest in general, four in 10 fathers selected receiving a Father's Day card or handmade Father's Day present, and 34 per cent opted for quality time with their children.
• In fact, UK dads said these things would make them happier than their favourite sports team winning the league (22 per cent), getting a new car (23 per cent) or getting a promotion at work (14 per cent).
• In a bid to ensure that British dads are made to feel as appreciated as they should do this Father's Day, the Company has partnered with founder of Dad Blog UK John Adams to produce a series of tips on how to keep modern dads happy.
• Dads in Belfast are most likely to keep their Father's Day cards throughout the years (75%), followed by fathers in London (73%), Cardiff (70%), Worcester (70%), Northampton (69%) and Manchester (69%).

Forget the aftershave this Sunday. It is the simple pleasures - including hugs from their children, a meal out with the family and receiving a Father's Day card - that dads have chosen as their ultimate Father's Day gifts, according to new research from Royal Mail.

Whilst the majority of dads are bracing themselves for another 'World's Greatest Dad' mug, British dads say that spending quality time with their family this weekend would make them happier than their sports team winning the league, getting a new car or receiving a promotion at work.

Eight in ten dads say they receive a card, or a present, or both every year. And nearly three quarters (72%) say they have kept some or all of the Father's Day cards they've received over the years. When they have been unable to be with their family in person on the day, over a third (34%) would prefer to receive a card over a Skype or text message or phone call - mainly because it is perceived to be 'more personal'.

Top five Father's Day gifts, as chosen by British dads:

1. A meal out with the family
2. Hugs from the children
3. Receiving a Father's Day card
4. Spending quality time with their children
5. A walk in the countryside with their children

As part of a myth-busting mission to remind the nation that dads just want the simple things this Sunday, the Company has partnered with John Adams of Dad Blog UK to produce some straightforward tips to making sure British dads feel as appreciated as they should do this weekend:

Simple Pleasures For Modern Dads:

1. Every year without fail you should send a card. As you get older, you get busier and dad understands this as he's been through it, but it simply shows that he is in your thoughts.
2. Odd as it sounds, sometimes dad just wants to do what mum does. Often it's mum that does arts and crafts with the kids or takes them to the park. Maybe on Father's Day, dad can do this stuff? In many cases, dad possibly hasn't done arts and crafts since he last watched Blue Peter as a kid!
3. Breakfast in bed is always a winner, but let the kids go wild. There is nothing quite like being served an apple and honey sandwich covered in sprinkles. If nothing else, it makes the day memorable!
4. At the weekends dads very often have to drive kids around to various activities. If possible, structure Father's Day so he doesn't have to do any this.
5. A handmade card is a good idea. I have kept many of the cards my children have made me and it's great to look back and see as their writing and drawing skills have developed. They're also easy to post if you can't be with your family in person.
6. Let's debunk a myth here. Men might enjoy barbecues, but there are many other ways to cook food. I know my stepfather is an amazing cook, yet he rarely does it. Everyone is a foodie these days and dad might like to do a cookery session with the kids.
7. I love Father's Day cards with drawings. My youngest daughter will draw the family and her observations are fantastic (i.e. I have short hair, the cat is stripy, she is the shortest one in the family and so on)
8. The greatest gift you can give is time. Dad doesn't get to play in the park or have a kick about with the kids very often. An expensive meal out and trip to the theatre is nice, but dad might be very happy to do something close to home with his nearest and dearest.
9. If you are together with family, take a photograph. Over the years this will build up into a nice collection. You can also use the picture as a greetings card or thank you card at a later date if you wish.
10. Men are difficult to buy for are they? Think again. Tech items, DIY tools all make great gifts that are useful. How about a mobile phone charging kit for a car? Might sound dreary but such things are so, so useful (I'd like a top of the range GoPro, by the way)
11. Don't get your dad a bottle opener for Father's Day. Trust me, he's probably got a drawer full of them!
12. Shoe shine kits. Another item that dad probably has lots and lots of. While we're doing 'things to avoid': Ties. It takes a very brave individual to second guess a man's taste in ties.
13. Grandad is still a dad. He may be widowed or divorced and living on his own. Send a card, pick up the phone. He will appreciate it.
14. Give dad a hug, tell him you love him and thank him for looking after you. Mums quite often hear this message, not so much men.
15. Don't buy Father's Day presents and cards at the last minute. The day of the petrol station gift and card is through: Some don't even stock these things any more. Buy them a couple of weeks in advance and if you're buying online, allow time for delivery.

Some other interesting facts unearthed by the research include:

• The strangest 'novelty' Father's Day gifts that dads in the study claim to have received include a lifetime supply of cashew nuts, lottery tickets and ten garden gnomes!
• Three quarters of dads have never been treated to breakfast in bed, and over half (53%) of dads claim to have never been treated to a 'Father's Day meal'.
• Dads in Belfast are most likely to keep their Father's Day cards throughout the years (75%), followed by fathers in London (73%), Cardiff (70%), Worcester (70%), Northampton (69%) and Manchester (69%).

Mark Street, Head of Campaigns at Royal Mail commented: 'This study shows that, when it comes to Father's Day, it's the personal touch that counts. All UK dads really want is quality time with their families and a lasting reminder of their children's love. If you can't be there with them in person, sending a Father's Day card with a personal message and picture is a great way to show your dad that you are on their mind, and that you care about them.'

Little (and big!) ones around the nation are reminded to post their letters and cards with enough time to spare for Father's Day. The last posting date for 1^st Class stamps is Friday 15 June 2018.

Ends

For further information contact:

Royal Mail press office

0207 449 8246

About Royal Mail plc

Royal Mail plc is the parent company of Royal Mail Group Limited, the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK's designated universal postal service provider. UK Parcels, International and Letters ('UKPIL') comprises the company's UK and international parcels and letters delivery businesses operating under the 'Royal Mail' and 'Parcelforce Worldwide' brands. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to more than 29 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects and delivers express parcels. Royal Mail also owns General Logistics Systems (GLS) which operates one of the largest ground-based, deferred parcel delivery networks in Europe.

About survey

The study was conducted by OnePoll from the 21^st - 28^th May 2018, and consisted of a sample of 2,000 UK dads with children aged 16 or under, and 2,000 UK adults still in touch with their own fathers.