It’s easy to choose gifts for new moms. Most moms have a favorite go-to “mom” book, swaddle blanket or post-partum recovery trick to gift and share with her new mommy friends. But what about Dad? He’s welcoming a new person into the household, too, but often gifts for new dads fall to the wayside. If you’re headed to a co-ed shower, or just want to show a new dad some TLC, check out these great gift ideas!
Pro Tip: For even more gifting ideas, there are over 300,000 gifts to choose from using Zazzle’s Dad Gift Guide!
Restaurant Gift Cards
Usually, the first couple of weeks after a baby, friends, and family line up with homemade meals for dinner. (This is a favorite and popular “new parent” gift.) But soon, the meals trickle down and new parents are left to figure out how to do dinner with a tiny human. Local restaurant gift cards are great gifts for new dads (and moms). This way, if Dad has gone back to work, he can stop and pick up food on the way home, the take-out bills aren’t piling up like diapers. Restaurant gift cards are also great to let new parents get out by themselves (if paired with an offer of babysitting).
Home Brewing Kit
This is a great pre-baby gift for new dads who love their beer. If given as a shower gift, Dad can start the brewing process before the little one arrives and have a stash to celebrate post-arrival. Why for New Dad? When New Dad is sleep-deprived and just wants to relax with a beer, he doesn’t have to think about going to the store. This also opens the door to new hobbies that allow parents to stay home with their new addition – no babysitter required!
Pro Tip: Beer lover gifts for Dad can be found using Zazzle’s gift guide!
Dad Coffee Mug
What better way to remind Dad of his new baby’s love and gratitude every morning than to emblazon it on a custom coffee mug? Because Dad will need extra caffeine, too. A classic dad mug typically shows off a cool superhero design or a funny dad joke. Or get the larger insulated coffee mug because any parent will tell you how often they get to enjoy hot — even warm — coffee.
Pro Tip: Find the best coffee lover gifts for Dad using Zazzle’s gift guide!
Books to Read With Little Ones
So often, we focus on baby gear and clothing that books get left behind. There are some great “Daddy and Me” books out there for every age/stage. A few favorites: Your Baby’s First Word Will be ‘Dada’, I Love You, Daddy and Guess How Much I Love You. The latter isn’t billed as a “Daddy and Me” book, but the two characters are a Dad and baby bunny, and it doesn’t get more heartwarming than that.
Dad T-Shirts
The new dad will need something quick and easy to throw on when he’s too sleep-deprived, and the newborn will be spitting up constantly, so get them both a gift that will help – matching t-shirts. A unique t-shirt is an easy way to match the dad-to-be’s personality – whether he’s sweet, smart, or silly. You can even go the extra mile by customizing a shirt for his new role.
Baby Carrier
Just because you’re a dad doesn’t mean you can’t wear your newborn baby! Most new moms will have selected a favorite wrap or carrier and registered for it, but many of the ones on the market aren’t built for taller, broad-shouldered dudes. Carriers that work for men, as well as women, allow Dad to shoulder some of the responsibility. Many of them will actually hold a toddler so Dad can spend some quality time with the little one while still having his hands free.
The greatest gift, for every new parent, is uninterrupted sleep. There can be no gift more precious than giving some of your time to be with the new baby for an hour (or two!) while Mom and Dad can catch some zzzs. Please reassure them that you will not judge the state of disarray of their home or appearance. Becoming a parent is a real mind trip, but also one of the greatest things in the world.
Whatever you decide to get him when his newborn arrives should spark joy, for sure, while also serving a practical purpose and making his life a little bit easier.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
From Weddings to Tech, our Zazzle Contributors are experts on a wide variety of topics and information. We hope their advice and ideas will help you be inspired!
