The Best New Dad Gifts for Any First-Time or Expectant Father
Feb 2021
During pregnancy, first-time moms-to-be get most of the attention, including a literal shower of gifts. Then when baby arrives, they’re pretty much the star of the show. Dads, despite the obviously essential part they played in all this, are often forgotten in the excitement. So take a moment to congratulate a new or expectant father in your life with thoughtful new dad gifts. Whether you’re looking to celebrate your own baby’s daddy or a friend or other family member, we’ve rounded up the best gifts for new dads that are sure to hit the right note.
Help a new dad remember what day—or even month it is—with a calendar that doubles as a picture frame. He’ll never get tired of looking at pictures of baby, and you can order a new refill pack each year.
Buy it: Artifact Uprising Wood Calendar, $25, ArtifactUprising.com
Coffee is the elixir of life for sleep-deprived new parents, so any new dad gifts that make it easy to comfortably consume it are pure genius. Case in point: This stainless steel, dishwasher-safe travel mug, which uses double wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks warm. So even if he gets distracted by baby’s cries, a warm cup of joe will always be waiting for him.
Buy it: YETI Rambler Mug, starting at $25, Backcountry.com
New dad gifts that capture the joyful journey of becoming a father are sure to tug at the heartstrings. These customizable maps (available for every state) are a perfect way to showcase favorite family photos. Add a frame of your choice for a personal present he can’t help but love.
Buy it: Love Location Print, starting at $29, Minted.com
We’re all guilty of taking photos on our phone that we never do anything with. A printer that can whip out high-quality photos straight from a smartphone is one of the most thoughtful first-time dad gifts. And since it can fit in his pocket, he can also send any visitors home with a souvenir of baby.
Buy it: HP Sprocket 200 Photo Printer, $130, BHPhotoVideo.com
We’re not gonna lie and say life with a newborn can’t be stressful. The odds of Dad not being tense are on par with getting all the laundry into the dryer before it starts to smell musty. Thankfully, a total body massage roller is one of the best gifts for new dads that’ll help him work out all his kinks.
Buy it: Gaiam Restore Total Body Massage Roller, $20, Gaiam.com
For first-time dad gifts with a sense of humor (and style), you can’t go wrong with a funny daddy and me shirt set. These battery charged, battery drained T-shirts say it all. Made of 100 percent cotton, they’ll keep Dad and baby comfy, even when the little one is raring to go and Dad’s ready for bed.
Buy it: Threadrock Full and Low Battery Infant Bodysuit & Men’s T-Shirt Matching Set, $25, Etsy.com
Allbirds are known for their super comfortable shoes, and their latest style is no exception. The Wool Piper sneaker is a classic silhouette made with natural materials in the brand’s signature merino wool fabric. Best of all, the versatile sneakers are machine-washable, which is a major plus when it comes to dad-to-be gifts that’ll be used around baby.
Buy it: Allbirds Men’s Wool Pipers, $95, Allbirds.com
One of the best new dad gifts is one that keeps on giving, and Trade Coffee’s awesome subscription program is a fun way for new parents to get their caffeine fix delivered straight to their home. They have 400 types of coffee from across the US, and Dad can take a short quiz to figure out his order based on his java preferences. And since orders can be adjusted at any time, dad can go bold with his coffee picks just in time for baby’s next sleep regression.
Buy it: Trade Coffee Subscription, starting at $40, TradeCoffee.com
Some of the best new father gifts are ones they won’t want to stop using, and loungewear definitely fits the bill. After all, having a new baby means spending way more time at home. We’ll bet Dad won’t even want to change out of these comfy pants to toss them in the laundry.
Buy it: Tommy John Second Skin Lounge Pants, $68, Nordstorm.com
Now more than ever, it’s important to keep surfaces and objects clean and sanitized. And while we won’t go into just how many germs are lingering on phones, we’ll simply suggest this innovative and compact smartphone charger as a great gift for new dads. It zaps away 99.99 percent of germs while charging the phone, and also works as an amplifier.
Buy it: PhoneSoap 3 Smartphone UV Sanitizer, $80, PhoneSoap.com
Every father needs something to haul baby stuff in, making a diaper backpack a go-to for dad-to-be gifts. This one-shoulder sling has plenty of space to carry the essentials while still traveling light, with a diaper changing pad, easy-to-clean fabric and insulated pockets for bottles. And with a look this sharp, no one will guess he’s packing baby gear.
Buy it: Skip Hop Paxwell Easy-Access Diaper Sling, $25, Skiphop.com
As experienced dads can tell you, it’s hard to get uninterrupted time when you have a baby, especially a newborn. But with this lightweight portable speaker, a new dad can keep listening wherever baby’s schedule takes him, whether it’s attached to the stroller for a walk, floating in the tub during bathtime (yes, it’s waterproof!) or outside on the porch while baby’s down for a nap. When it comes to new father gifts, this speaker will be a big hit.
Buy it: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $64, Walmart.com
Some of the best moments with baby are the everyday snuggles. Parachute is known for making some of the softest sheets around, and this oversized, 100 percent Turkish cotton throw feels like being wrapped in a cozy sweater. It’s the perfect gift for new dads to wrap around themselves and baby while getting in that much-needed skin-to-skin time.
Buy it: Parachute Oversized Knit Throw, $99, Parachute.com
Getting out of the house with baby in tow is no walk in the park. You need a lot of gear for any unexpected outfit changes or other mishaps that may arise. That’s why the pocket blanket is one of our favorite new dad gifts: It’ll take up little space in their diaper bag—it’s smaller than their smartphone!—but expands into a water-repellent blanket that’s perfect for outdoor outings.
Buy it: Matador Pocket Blanket, $30, TheGrommet.com
Veteran dads agree: Get caught with a dead phone on the go (which is pretty much a dad’s natural state), and things go downhill fast. After all, he won’t want to miss the latest cute photo, or heaven forbid an emergency call. The iBolt iPro2 Car Dock also connects his iPhone to Apple CarPlay. And since many first-time dads get stuck driving around baby until they fall asleep, this is one of the best new father gifts to give.
Buy it: iBolt iPro2 Car Dock, $40, Amazon.com
Gravity blankets have received a lot of buzz over the last few years for their stress-reducing benefits and how they can help with sleep quality. Less anxiety and more shuteye? No wonder we think the cozy robe version is one of the best gifts for new dads. The weighted collar is designed to reduce stress and boost calmness—just what first-time dads need.
Buy it: Modernist X Gravity Weighted Bathrobe, $130, GravityBlankets.com
It happens to the best of dads: He’s ready to walk out the door, thinking, “we’re going to get to the pediatrician on time for once!” And then…he can’t find his keys. (Or phone. Or wallet). The dilemma is real, but the solution is easy. Clip one of the two Tile Mates to your phone, keys or other objects, and press the other tile’s button to locate its mate. New dad gifts that help him find his stuff? Priceless!
Buy it: Tile Mates, starting at $14, Amazon.com
Babywearing works wonders for lots of families—it keeps baby close and your arms free. For those wanting something more comfy than a structured baby carrier, there’s the Lalabu Dad Shirt. On its own, it’s a sporty T-shirt. But slide baby into the cozy kangaroo-style pouch, and it’s a way for Dad to snuggle with baby while on-the-go. Are there better first-time dad gifts than the chance to bond with baby?
Buy it: Lalabu Dad Shirt, $75, Lalabu.com
Gift ideas for new dads can be tricky. But when in doubt, ones that help him do things with one hand are bound to be prized possessions—especially if it allows him to open a beer bottle without even putting baby down. Enter: the GrabOpener. It’s every brew-loving new dad’s dream.
Buy it: GrabOpener One Handed Grab Opener, $16, TheGrommet.com
Everyone encourages new moms to take time to pamper themselves. Well, new dads deserve a little self-care too. A subscription to a Harry’s Shave Plan is one of the best new dad gifts because it means he’ll always have premium shaving essentials stocked. One less thing to put on the to-do list!
Buy it: Harry’s Shave Plan, starting at $5 for two weeks, Harrys.com
When you have a little kid, one thing is certain: Anything can happen. Guys who pride themselves on being prepared will love having a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife on hand. It’s a multi-purpose tool with seven functions, including tweezers and toenail scissors (hey, you never know). And with all the baby gear to unbox and assemble, it’s a dad-to-be gift that’s sure to get plenty of use.
Buy it: Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife, $17, SwissArmy.com
Sure, the Huawei Watch 2 offers a built-in GPS, workout tracking/coaching and even sleep tracking, for that time in the misty future when sleep is part of his life again. But what makes this smart watch a standout is the inclusion of Near Field Communication Technology and Google Assistant, for a personal voice assistant right on his wrist. So a new dad can be holding baby in one arm and paying bills with this watch on the other. He’ll also be able to download and play the one song that magically lulls baby to sleep via Google Play Music, without putting baby down.
Buy it: Huawei Watch 2, $250, Amazon.com
Looking up baby’s zodiac sign is kind of fun. Seeing exactly how the sky looked on the day his little one was born? Amazing. A My Sky Moment map displays how the stars were aligned overhead at any location, on any date. It comes custom framed or can be created on canvas for a striking new dad gift.
Buy it: My Sky Moment, starting at $50, MySkyMoment.com
If Dad bundled up baby and got to the car only to realize he’s still in his slippers, he wouldn’t be the first—which is why outdoor slippers make for classic new dad gifts. These outdoor UGG slippers are slippers and shoes all in one. He can kick back at home in supple, wool-lined suede slippers and then dip out to run an errand without changing, thanks to the high-traction rubber sole.
Buy it: UGG Scuff Romeo II, $100, Zappos.com
Parents just can’t get enough photos of their little ones, especially first-time dads and moms alike. One of the most innovative gift ideas for new dads is this pocket-sized phone tripod. The size of a credit card, it can slip right into his wallet and he’s sure to never miss photographing baby’s milestones.
Buy it: Pocket Tripod Pro, $25, PocketTripod.com
New dad gifts that make dinner prep a breeze are always a smart choice. The Instant Pot has earned legendary status by making it quicker and more convenient to cook just about anything perfectly. Hot, healthy, economical dinners are not impossible for new parents after all! Plus, the automatic “keep warm” feature keeps your meal at temperature should, say, baby suddenly wake up and need some soothing.
Buy it: Instant Pot Duo EVO Plus, $140, Bloomingdales.com
In the midst of all the joyous first-time dad moments, there are painful times too. And we’re not speaking metaphorically. Baby head butts as you coax crawling, toddler kicks as you carry them off the playground and Sunday morning bed jumps can all pose a risk to the family jewels. So as hilarious as they are, gifts for new dads that are designed to protect their balls are really super practical. Each pair of these FridaBalls boxer briefs is designed with a reinforced protective pouch to soften the blows.
Buy it: Fridababy FridaBalls Boxer Brief, $28, Frida.com
Dad will need his phone more than ever—and protecting it will be harder than ever. (Nothing fascinates an inquisitive baby quite like a phone.) That’s why protective phone cases are great new dad gifts. The Otterbox Defender Series Case protects Dad’s phone in three ways: with an inner shell, an outer cover and a touch-screen protector. Because babies become into-everything toddlers quicker than he can say, “honey, have you seen my phone?”
Buy it: Otterbox Defender Series Case, $60, Otterbox.com
We vote for Isabelle Grace’s Men’s Tall Tags Necklace as one of the best gifts for new dads who are swooning over their newborn. The handmade sterling silver charm is personalized on the front and back with baby’s name and birthday, then texturized for an edgy, modern look. You can order it on a chain or leather cord.
Buy it: Isabelle Grace Men’s Tall Tags Necklace, $90, IsabelleGraceJewelry.com
A new dad is likely using his phone even more these days—as a baby monitor, noise machine, feeding tracker and more—so a strong power bank that fits in his pocket is one of the most practical first-time dad gifts. This one has three ports (two USB and one micro USB), so he can charge multiple devices at once.
Buy it: Anker PowerCore 20100, $59, Amazon.com
Dad’s weekly night out with the guys may be on hiatus, but that doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy a treat now and then. Our new dad gifts of choice: McCrea’s handmade Single Malt Scotch Caramels. They offer a peaty, rich flavor spiked with smoky scotch—meaning Dad can enjoy the intoxicating taste without the accompanying hangover.
Buy it: McCrea’s Single Malt Scotch Caramels, $5, McCreasCandies.com
8 Celeb-Approved Gifts to Buy Moms This Mother’s Day
04/14/2021
The Best Gifts for New Moms to Celebrate and Pamper Her
19 Best Virtual Mother’s Day Gifts (That You Can Buy Last Minute)
Spread the Love With a Heartfelt Mother’s Day Gift for New Moms
One Thing Melissa & Doug’s Co-Founder Wants All Parents to Stop Doing
Mom Opens Up About Shaping a Cultural Identity for Her Kids
The Sleepy Santa Photos You’ll Want To Replicate
‘Paddington’ and 6 Other Kids’ Books-Turned-Movies to Watch This Weekend
What #BlackBoyJoy Is All About
The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Moms, Dads and Their Kids
21 Gifts for a Pregnant Friend That Are Cute and Congratulatory
24 Personalized Baby Gifts for a Special Little Someone
The Perfect Gift for Moms, According to Their Zodiac Sign