Unlike modern Mother's Day, which grew out of ancient springtime festivals celebrating fertility and mother goddesses, the observance of Father's Day is purely a 20th century development.

It is dedicated to celebrating men who have had a paternal role in someone's life and honouring the importance of fatherhood. Father's Day was a grateful daughter's idea to honour the devotion of and show appreciation for the sacrifices made by her widowed father to raise his six children by himself.

It is now customary for fathers to take the spotlight on this day. It may be through manning the grill for a special family barbecue or get-together. A father could also be in the spotlight and receive flowers, cards, drawings, notes or poems. The unique role of fathers and everything they do for their families on a daily basis is celebrated and honoured. Sometimes, children and other family members even go as far as to complete the household chores normally relegated for Dad.

In recent years there has been a massive growth in the free e-card market and there is now a great selection of ecards for Fathers Day. Families are now able to go onto the internet and choose a free e-card for their fathers. They can either choose a traditional free e-card or they may choose a funny e card. Once they have chosen their free e-card, they can personalise it with a message. When the message has been added to the free e-card, it can then be emailed to the recipient.

The good thing about e cards for Fathers Day is that the fee e-card can be sent straight away. When the recipient gets the free e-card, he then has the choice to chose another e card and send it straight back to the sender. Not only is sending free e-cards so easy, it is also environmentally friendly. In the past people had to send real cards and this was not a very environmentally friendly way of doing things. With e cards there is no worry about the e card getting delivered and they always get there on time.

There is now such a diverse range of Father's Day e cards that it is very easy to find an ecard that your father would like. If you cannot make up your mind which one to send, it is easy to send a few different ones. Because these e cards are free it does not matter if you send more than one!

On Father's Day don't just give him yet another tie - brainstorm and do something exceptional to express your gratitude and admiration for your father's unparalleled part and involvement in your life. Share your favourite memories of times with your father, make a Father's Day scrapbook or photo album, express your love for him through words and physical affection, and otherwise accentuate the need and pleasure of having a father. Most importantly, keep what would really please him in mind and celebrate your father, on Father's Day and every day of the year!