Dads may have been joking about it for years, but the numbers suggest they have a point.
According to business analyst Mark Rosa, Americans spend significantly more celebrating Mother's Day than Father's Day each year, with the difference totaling nearly $12 billion.
"Mother's Day spending is around $36 billion annually, while Father's Day comes in closer to $24 billion," Rosa said. "That's a pretty substantial gap."
Rosa points to both marketing and consumer behavior as reasons for the disparity.
Gifts purchased for mothers often include jewelry, spa packages, luxury items, and other higher-ticket purchases. Father's Day gifts, meanwhile, tend to be more practical and hobby-driven.
"Dads are often getting things like grilling accessories, tools, sporting goods, or hobby-related items," Rosa said. "The gifts tend to be simpler and generally less expensive."
That doesn't mean fathers are any less appreciated.
Rosa says many dads value gifts that support activities they already enjoy, whether that's woodworking, home improvement projects, golf, fishing, grilling, or other hobbies. In many cases, the thought behind the gift matters more than the price tag.
Still, the spending difference has remained consistent for years and reflects how consumers approach the two holidays differently.
As families prepare to celebrate Father's Day this weekend, Rosa says those looking to make an impression may want to think beyond the traditional tie or pair of socks and focus on what Dad truly enjoys.
Whether it's a new tool for the workshop, an upgrade for the grill, a round of golf, or simply spending quality time together, Rosa says the best gifts are often the ones that show appreciation for the role fathers play every day.
And if dads had one request this year?
Rosa jokes that closing that $12 billion gap wouldn't hurt!
