Each year I have my students cut out of paper a tie shape from a tag board pattern for Father's Day. On that tie, they write a small message about why their dad (or someone who is acting as their father) is important and then design a tie that Dad can "wear."

Their designs must include things that they do with their dad or things that he does that are important to them. The things they draw can be major things like coaching a baseball team or small things like holding their hand while they cross the street.

It makes the children really think about the times they spend with their father, and I have Dads tell me they are grateful for a tie that can be hung in their office, on the frig, etc. Many of them tell me that they did not know that something that they said or did was important to their child until they saw it on their tie.