RTA Outdoor Living Says Fathers Want Time, Not Ties, This Father’s Day

With Father’s Day spending expected to hit a record $24 billion, RTA Outdoor Living is highlighting a shift from material gifts to shared experiences, including an outdoor kitchen build for the Gronkowski family. The company says outdoor spaces are increasingly becoming the place where families gather, cook and celebrate together. Why it matters: - Father’s Day spending is projected to reach a record $24 billion this year, but surveys suggest many dads value time together more than traditional gifts. - The trend favors experiences and home spaces that support family gatherings, which has implications for retailers and home improvement brands. - Outdoor kitchens are emerging as a lasting gift category because they can change how families use their homes year-round. What happened: - RTA Outdoor Living framed its Father’s Day message around the idea that dads want shared experiences, not more novelty gifts. - Rob Gronkowski and his brother Dan spent Father’s Day installing an outdoor kitchen at their father Gordon’s home in Boca Raton, Florida. - The family turned the project into a day of building, cooking and celebrating together. - RTA Outdoor Living also pointed to planning and design tools for homeowners looking to create outdoor spaces that fit different spaces, climates and budgets. - More information: Watch the Gronkowski family’s Father’s Day outdoor kitchen build The details: - A YouGov survey of 500 U.S. fathers found that nearly one-third do not want gifts for Father’s Day at all. - Another survey found that more than one-third of dads have faked enthusiasm for disappointing gifts such as ties, socks and novelty mugs. - The National Retail Federation says special outings are now the largest Father’s Day spending category at $4.8 billion. - The NRF says 30% of consumers plan to give an experience this year, up from 23% in 2019. - RTA Outdoor Living designs and manufactures custom prefabricated outdoor kitchen systems engineered for durability across all climates. - The company says thousands of installations show that projects often become the center of family gatherings, holiday celebrations and everyday outdoor living. - The U.S. outdoor kitchen market is valued at about $9.5 billion and is projected to more than double by 2033. - A 2025 International Casual Furnishings Association survey found that 77% of Americans wish they spent more time outside at home. - After improving outdoor spaces, people most want to relax, spend time with family and friends, eat together and entertain more often. Between the lines: - The Father’s Day pitch is really about a broader consumer shift from objects to shared time. - Outdoor kitchens fit that shift because they combine home improvement with a social setting that can be used long after the holiday. - RTA Outdoor Living is positioning itself as a lifestyle and planning solution, not just a product seller. - Rob Gronkowski’s family example gives the message a familiar, emotional anchor. What’s next: - Families looking for longer-lasting Father’s Day gifts are likely to keep favoring experiences and outdoor living upgrades. - RTA Outdoor Living is continuing to market systems that aim to make outdoor spaces more functional for everyday use. - The company’s broader bet is that outdoor kitchens will keep gaining share as homeowners invest in gathering spaces that work across seasons and budgets. The bottom line: - For a growing number of families, the best Father’s Day gift is not another item. It is a place to spend more time together.