Happy Father's Day to Stepdads - 6 tips to show love

Stepdads are often amazing people who play a really important role in your life. For many of us, this person could have been more of a father figure to us than our birth father was. But that doesn't mean you actually know what to write in his card.

So how exactly do you say Happy Father's Day to your stepdad?

The first thing to consider is your relationship with your stepdad. Are you close or are you still navigating your relationship with him? No family dynamics are the same, so we've got a few different forms of inspiration for you.

Choosing a card for your stepdad

Before deciding what to write inside the card, you have to actually FIND a card first.

Fortunately, it's a lot easier than it used to be to get cards for stepdads on Father's Day, with supermarkets and card shops alike stocking more diverse options to reflect our modern society.

There's also the alternative of online sites where you can personalise your stepdad's card as much as you want, as well as not being stuck with the limited options available in a physical store, which can still offer only a few choices for stepdads.

A big question here though is whether you want to get a card that is specifically for a 'stepdad' rather than a 'dad', which depends entirely on your relationship with them, but would certainly open up plenty more choices.

Lastly, consider his personality when choosing the perfect card design. Is he laid-back and fun or more serious? Is he passionate about a sport or a hobby? Brainstorm as you browse the range of Father's Day cards on offer and choose a card that reflects his personality and interests.

Thoughtful Father's Day wishes and messages for stepdads

If you want to let your stepdad know how much you appreciate him, here are some suggestions:

• Thank you so much for everything you've brought to our family, and for always being there for us!
• You're an amazing role model for me and have taught me so much.
• Thank you for filling a hole in my life I never knew existed.
• I should tell you more often how lucky I am to have you in my life, I couldn't ask for a better stepfather!
• I know it's not easy being a stepdad but you've been so important for mum and the rest of us, so thank you!
• I know you've always got my back, and that's more than I could ever have asked for from a stepdad!
• We're family not by birth but by good fortune, I'm so lucky to have you in my life.
• You're much more than just an addition to our family, you're a huge PART of it and help to make it complete.

Funny Father's Day messages for stepdads

If you have a close relationship with your stepdad and they enjoy a bit of banter, here are some funny Father's Day wishes:

• I'm so glad you're my stepdad - I get all of your love, guidance and compassion, but none of your looks!
• What you lack in fashion-sense you make up for in being caring and a great role model!
• Happy Father's Day to one of my favourite stepdads!
• As a reward for being such a great stepdad, I'll give you a day off from your taxi-driving duties.
• Of all of mum's side-pieces, you're definitely my favourite.

Inspiring stepdad quotes

If you're still struggling for the right message in your own words, you could always say what you want through the words of someone else.

Plenty of famous people have grown up with stepdads and have spoken out about how important they are to them, so here is a selection of quotes that could work perfectly for you:

"Any fool can have a child. That doesn't make you a father. It's the courage to raise a child that makes you a father." - Barack Obama

"When someone takes you on as their own when you're not biologically their own, I think is really special....[My stepdad] didn't have to raise me. He wanted to." Jonathan Van Ness

"He adopted a role called being a father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a protector." Tom Wolfe

"Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad." Anne Geddes

"It's not flesh and blood but the heart that makes us father and son." - Johann Schiller

"My stepdad may not have given me life, but he sure has made my life better." - Gerardo Campbell

Father's Day message writing prompts

If you'd like to include a more personal message, here are some ideas to get you started:

• What passions do you share with him? If you've got music, films, sports or something else in common, why not use that as a starting point for what to write about?
• Think about your first impressions of him when you met him. Is there anything you can laugh about now you know him better? Has he completely changed your opinion of him for the better?
• What do you enjoy doing with your stepdad, either when you were younger or now? Do you love playing board games or video games, or watching old movies?
• What are your favourite memories you've made with your stepdad? Nostalgia can be a powerful bond and a great way to show that you remember the great times you've had together because he's important to you.
• Instead of memories, you could even talk about what you're looking forward to doing together in the future. What big plans have you got for a trip or holiday or DIY project?
• What have you learned from your stepdad? What impact has this had on your life? These can be really powerful stories to share!

Picking a gift for your stepdad

If you really want to spoil him, a James Bond Triple Drive gives him the chance to live out his 007 dreams driving three Aston Martins around a race track. An experience sure to leave him shaken, not stirred.

If one of the things you have bonded with him over is old war movies (or Call of Duty) you could even share a Dads & Lads (stepdaughters are also welcome!) Tank Experience, driving a tank around a course and firing paintballs at targets to see who has the best aim!

Another option, especially for older stepdads, is giving them the This Is Your Life experience with a Personalised Your Life in Historic Pictures Book, a great way to share your memories of time spent with them and how much they mean to you.

For younger stepdads who are still happy to get stuck into the action in the back garden, an Inflatable Duel Battle set offers great fun for the whole family, especially anyone who remembers Gladiators!

You can find loads more great gifts for any father in our superb range.

Now you've got some ideas for how to write a Father's Day card for your stepdad that will really show what he means to you, as well as finding the perfect gift to go with it!

Other FAQs

Is there a step fathers day?

There isn't currently a "Step Father's Day" in the UK. In the US, however, there is a "Step Family Day" which was founded by stepparent Christy Tusing-Borgeld in 1997, and is celebrated annually on September 16.

Why are Stepdads called Stepdads?

"Stepdad" originated from Old English with influence from the German word "steop", which meant orphan. This has evolved over time by association, partly due to the increase in the number of divorces.

What are nicknames for Stepdads?

Some of our favourite nicknames for stepdads are:

• Daddy Poppins
• Bonus Dad
• Papa Bear
• Captain
• Pop Tart
• Old Man
• Big Guy
• Alpha Wolf

Should a stepdad be called dad?

A stepdad can be called dad or can be called by their name - this should be something each stepchild decides for themselves. Over time you may become more comfortable with your stepdad and prefer to call them dad, but there is no right or wrong answer to this question.