Monthly Archives: May 2024

How Did Father’s Day Become a Holiday Anyway?

Father’s Day is June 16, y’all. 

I don’t know why I said y’all. I think I was trying to create a sense of urgency. I digress. 

Father’s Day is that special time of year when dads everywhere are celebrated with BBQs, neckties, and homemade cards. But have you ever wondered how this holiday actually came to be? 

Pull up a chair and let’s chat about the origins of Father’s Day and how it found its spot on our calendars.

We Have a Mom to Thank

I know we just celebrated Mother’s Day, but it’s worth noting that Father’s Day was started by a mom. 

Sonora Smart Dodd was inspired by her own father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who single-handedly raised six children after his wife’s death. Sonora felt that fathers deserved a day of recognition just like mothers.

If you’re a dad, and you didn’t serve in the Civil War, don’t worry, you can still celebrate Father’s Day. 

The First Father’s Day

The lovely Sonora didn’t just declare, “It’s Father’s Day, and it will be forever enshrined!” 

No, she had to do quite a bit of legwork. In 1910, she approached the suits at the Spokane Ministerial Alliance and suggested June 5th, her father’s birthday, as the day to celebrate fathers. 

No guff, no resistance. They said, “Cool,” and determined that June 19 would mark the first official Father’s Day. 

Gaining Traction

Despite this initial celebration, Father’s Day didn’t catch on as quickly as Mother’s Day. 

Many people saw it as a commercial gimmick pushed by retailers to sell more goods.Oh, if they only lived today when every day has become a Hallmark National Day of something or other. 

Anyway, the idea persisted thanks to the efforts of Ms. Dodd and the backing of trade groups and advertisers.

It wasn’t until 1924 that Father’s Day received a major boost when President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national holiday. He encouraged states to celebrate the day, although it still wasn’t an official federal holiday. Over the next few decades, various attempts were made to formalize Father’s Day, but it faced resistance from Congress (surprise, surprise), which feared the holiday would become too commercialized.

Again, I have to chuckle knowing there was a time in our nation’s history when Congress was wary about capitalism. 

Making It Official

Fast forward four decades to the 1960s when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers in 1966, designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. 

But…it wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon signed it into law, officially establishing Father’s Day as a national holiday.

Hey, better late than never. 

Modern Celebrations

Father’s Day isn’t just an American thing. 

It’s celebrated around the world from Brasil, Germany, and Mexico to South Africa and Thailand. 

Whether it’s a heartfelt card, a new set of golf clubs (very American), or simply spending quality time together, the day is all about acknowledging the contributions and sacrifices of dads everywhere.

Now that you know the history of Father’s Day, it’s time to pick out the perfect gift, which means we need to cue the…

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Dad will love our Build a Bar Gift Package, built in a galvanized steel tray and serving up: Elijah Craig Bourbon 50ml; Grey Goose Vodka 50ml; Havana Club Rum 50ml; Martell Cognac 50ml;

Dorda Double chocolate liqueur 50ml; Bombay Sapphire gin 50ml; Patron XO Cafe coffee liqueur 50ml; Casamigos Tequila Blanco 50ml; two different Jim Beam whiskies 50ml; and much more. 

Happy Father’s Day!

About BasketWorks

BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!

Please subscribe to our blog post and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn.

Grill Maintenance 101: Essential Tips for a Long-Lasting BBQ

Summer beckons. 

Pretty soon, we’ll be out of the woods of these pesky 50 degree days. Hey May, don’t let the door hit you on your way out. 

We’ve got a few weeks until the start of grilling season, and it’s time to dive into some essential tips to keep your BBQ grill in working shape so that you can be crowned the King or Queen of Burgers, Brats, Salmon, Eggplant, and whatever else you throw on there. 

1. Clean After Every Use

A cat cleans itself. Your grill is not a cat, so you’re on the hook for maintaining its hygiene. 

After you’ve finished cooking and your grill has cooled down a bit, grab a grill brush and give those grates a good scrub. This helps remove any leftover food particles and prevents rust. If you’ve got a gas grill, don’t forget to clean the burners, too. 

A clean grill not only lasts longer but also cooks better, and who doesn’t want that?

2. Check for Gas Leaks

You don’t want to mess with gas leaks. 

If you’re using a gas grill, you can check for leaks with the soapy water test. Mix a bit of dish soap with water and brush it on the connections. If you see bubbles forming, you’ve got a leak. Tighten the connections and test again. 

This little step can prevent big problems, like your grill exploding, which I hear is a major buzz-kill. 

3. Oil the Grates

We’re about to save you from committing one of grilling’s major faux pas.

Before you fire up the grill, oiling the grates can make a big difference. It helps prevent food from sticking and keeps the grates in good condition. Just dip a paper towel in some oil, use tongs to hold it, and wipe it over the grates. 

Your food will thank you for it, and your grill will, too.

4. Cover Your Grill

Oh how people forget this step.

It’s easy, because you can’t cover your grill right after you use it, unless you enjoy melting things that shouldn’t be melted. 

After your grill cools down, slap that cover on it. A good grill cover protects it from the elements, like rain, snow, dust, and critters. It’s a simple way to extend the life of your grill despite nature’s efforts to conspire against it. 

5. Deep Clean Annually

This is starting to feel pretty high-maintenance, isn’t it? Well, the life of your grill depends on these steps. 

Once a year, go beyond the usual post-cookout scrub and give your grill a deep clean. Disassemble it as much as possible and clean each part thoroughly. For gas grills, this means cleaning the burners, inspecting the gas tubes, and making sure there’s no buildup that could block the flow of gas. 

For charcoal grills, remove all the ash and scrub the interior. A deep clean keeps your grill in peak condition and can catch any potential issues before they become major problems.

6. Replace Worn-Out Parts

Even with the best care, some parts of your grill will wear out over time. 

Don’t take it personally; it just happens. 

Grates, burners, and igniters are some common culprits. Keep an eye on these parts and replace them when necessary. It’s a small investment that can keep your grill working like new-ish.

Taking care of your grill might seem like a hassle (okay, it definitely is), but a little maintenance goes a long way, and you don’t want to be dethroned from your status as grilling royalty. 

🍺 SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT 🍺 

Do you know what goes great with grilling? Beer, of course! 

If your kid’s not around to fetch you a cold one while you’re in your cooking zone, what can you do? We’ve got the answer: our Beer to Go Gift Cooler. This gem has a waxed cotton canvas exterior, a removable padded divider and an adjustable shoulder strap. Not only that, we stock it with canned Chicago craft beer. 

Grilling just got a whole lot better. 

About BasketWorks

BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!

Please subscribe to our blog post and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn.