The third Sunday in June is such a special day. It's a time for the entire family to let dad know just how great he really is.

On the next few pages, you'll find ideas for a clever centerpiece that borrows items from a gentleman's wardrobe; we also include instructions for debonair pillows packed with personality. Combine a few of our other ideas with this fabulous menu, and you'll have a celebration that everyone--including dad--will always remember.

You're sure to get all dressed up for dad this Father's Day. Why shouldn't your table do the same? Rummage through dad's duds for outdated shirts, vintage ties, and other well-loved articles of clothing, and find interesting ways to incorporate them into table decor. Make use of bow ties and shirt cuffs by wrapping them around napkins. You can use a hat as a centerpiece, a tie as a package topper--even surprise him with a pillow made from a favorite shirt.

Can't find any clothing he's willing to part with? Simply launder or dry-clean shirts and ties purchased from a local bargain boutique. Either way, dad (or that special man in your life) is sure to love the result.

Sittin' Pretty
Take the shirt off his back--and put it on his chair. To dress up your father's favorite spot, simply slip a button-down shirt over the back of his chair. Knot a tie around the collar, and place a handkerchief and fresh flower in one pocket.

Off the Cuff
Wrap your napkins in style by using a man's shirt cuff or a bow tie to surround napkins or silverware. Add a cuff link to hold the shirt cuff in place. You can even write the guest's name or a special message on the cuff face.

Hat Check
Here's a heady idea. Incorporate a man's hat into your tablescape as a centerpiece. Combine interesting items from your cabinet, such as this wicker cake stand lined with a baking pan. Add florist foam and colorful flowers. For the crowning glory, place a hat or two on top of the arrangement. Or purchase an inexpensive but terrific topper; cut a hole in the crown, and drop in a vase filled with beautiful blooms.

The Missing Link
It's his special day, and you wouldn't want dad to lose track of his beverage. In place of a wineglass marker, tie a ribbon through a cuff link, and attach it to the stem of the glass. Consider adding a handwritten note to the ribbon.

Button-Down Pillow
Make good use of dad's timeworn togs by turning them into pillows. Choose striped, solid, or even checked shirts, and match them up to ties. The following directions are for 18-inch-square pillows. You can easily vary them by attaching matching or contrasting welting along the seam of each one.

COLLARED SHIRT PILLOW PROJECT
Tools & Materials freshly laundered man's button-down shirt yardstick straight pins sewing machine 18-inch-square pillow form necktie needle and thread

1. Lay the buttoned shirt on a tabletop, and smooth down the fabric at the shoulders. Measure and mark points on the left and right shoulders that are each 9 1/2 inches from the center of the shirt. Measure 19 inches down from the points on the shoulders, and mark a second set of points. Using a yardstick as a straightedge, draw a line connecting the points on the left and right shoulders to the ones below. Connect the lower pair of points. Pin the shirt front to the back. Cut through both layers of fabric, using lines as a guide. (The shirt will stay intact along the shoulders.) From the remaining fabric, cut a 10-inch-square piece; set aside.

2. Remove the pins. Open out the fabric, and refold so that the shirt is inside out. Match the lower corners, and pin the front and back of the shirt together. Machine-stitch along the left and right sides 1/2 inch from the edges. Turn the shirt right side out. On all edges of the fabric square, press 1 inch of fabric to the underside.

3. Insert an 18-inch-square pillow form through the opening at the bottom of the shirt. Unbutton the collar, then place the necktie around the collar and knot it so that the wide end of the tie is 2 inches above the pillow's lower edge. Rebutton the collar, and place the 10-inch fabric square inside the collar, right side up, to cover the pillow form. Handstitch the square to the shirt at the base of the collar band, at the shoulders, and to the area under the collar.

4. Cut off the portion of the skinny end of the tie that extends below the fabric's lower edges. At the edges, turn the cut end of the tie and 1/2 inch of the fabric on the front and back to the inside, and pin. Handstitch the opening closed.

Tie Pillow
If your father has some neckties that he loves but doesn't wear anymore, this project will allow him to enjoy them in a different way. Try to choose ties that have coordinating colors and somewhat uniform widths.

FIVE-TIE PILLOW PROJECT
Tools & Materials freshly laundered man's shirt 5 neckties straight pins needle and thread or fabric glue sewing machine 18-inch-square pillow form

1. Lay shirt flat. To make the pillow back, cut a 19-inch square from the front of the shirt, centering the placket. To make the front of the pillow, cut a 19-inch square from the back of the shirt.

2. Choose five coordinating neckties. Measure 18 inches from the wide end of each tie, and cut away the rest. Pin one tie along the center of the pillow front. Pin additional ties (with their points turned in the same direction) about an inch from the left and right edges of the pillow front. Pin the remaining ties in the open spaces on the fabric, turning the points in the opposite direction. Handstitch the ties to the shirt fabric, or attach them with fabric glue, following the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Pin the shirt front to the shirt back, right sides together, and machine-stitch on all four sides, keeping the stitching 1/2 inch from the fabric edges. Unbutton the pillow cover, turn it right side out, and press. Insert the pillow form, and rebutton the cover.

4. Give the pillow to dad. Make sure to wish him happy Father's Day.

Menu Fit For A King
Breakfast is always fun, especially if it's a family affair with many cooks and helpers in the kitchen. These hearty recipes received our highest ratings and don't require too many hours in the kitchen, allowing more one-on-one time with dad.

Breakfast Menu:
1. Old Southern Biscuits
2. Shrimp and Grits

Cranberry Juice Sparkle
Thread 8 to 10 fresh cranberries through wooden skewers the day before the brunch. Wrap skewers in a damp paper towel, and place in a zip-top plastic bag. Refrigerate until ready to serve with juice. You can also use frozen cranberries. These help to keep the beverage cold, and the skewer acts as a stirrer.

Decorative Grapefruit
These can be made a day in advance also. Mark a zigzag design around the top of each grapefruit with a pencil as a guideline. Follow the pencil marking with a paring knife. Remove top, and discard. Hollow out the grapefruit with a grapefruit knife. Cover the rinds with damp paper towels, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Combine dad's favorite fresh fruits in a bowl; cover and refrigerate. (If adding bananas, slice just before serving to prevent browning.) To serve, spoon the fruit into the prepared rinds. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.

For great decorating ideas incorporating common garden containers, see "Clever Clay Pots," beginning on page 72 of the summer 2003 issue of Decorating Step-by-Step.