The Best Gifts for New Dads, According to Parents

Getting out of the house with baby in tow is no walk in the park. Apart from toys, snacks and a spare outfit, Dad will need something to transport baby in. While a stroller is best for longer journeys, a baby carrier is great if you want to travel light (relatively speaking, of course). Dad of two, Calvin, received a gift card from his colleagues at an impromptu baby shower, which immediately went towards the Ergobaby OMNI 360 Baby Carrier. “We are a fairly active family and also had a wedding in Italy when my son was 3-months-old, so having something we could strap him into and go was a major key to success,” says Calvin. Talk about a practical gift for new dads!

One of the most popular first-time father gifts has to be a new watch. Equal parts sentimental and practical, a watch is something he can wear everyday to remind him of his child. “I bought a really nice watch for /[my husband] to give to him after the baby is born,” says The Bump forum member KristynLee15. “He never gets anything nice for himself and he has been so incredibly supportive through this pregnancy, so I wanted to do something nice for him,” she continues. This pick by Kenneth Cole has a silver finish with a blue mechanical dial that’s sure to fit the aesthetic of many modern dads.

Some dads choose to celebrate the birth of their child with a toast, so why not treat him to some top-shelf liquor? The Bump forum member ksuli said she bought her partner “a really nice bottle of whisky” in lieu of a new dad gift. This beautifully presented gift set includes a bottle of single barrel select Jack Daniels and a nosing glass specifically designed to bring out the robust and complex flavor of this beverage.

Searching for affordable gift ideas for a new daddy? A personalized keychain is a popular choice. “I got /[my] husband a keychain. I had it made with a picture of him and /[our] little one. It's something small, but he loved it,” says The Bump forum member nicoledyoung7. There are tons of options to choose from but we like this leather option from Etsy. It can be personalized with up to six photos and engraved with the word “Dad” or “Daddy.”

“My man brought it up only a few times that he wanted a picture frame so he could have our baby girl's newborn photo at his desk,” says The Bump forum member kilayla13. While you could go for a standard framed photo, a digital photo frame lets you share precious moments with your partner in an instant. One of the best tech gifts for new dads, this frame is connected to WiFi and lets you send photos and videos directly to it using the free Aura app.

Expecting a little girl? This picture book is the perfect gift for new dads. Charming animal illustrations are paired with rhyming prose that celebrates the special bond between fathers and daughters.

Personalized presents for a new daddy never disappoint. Case in point: These “locket” cufflinks available on Etsy. The silver cufflinks can be customized with Dad’s initials and have space for two small photos to slot inside.

Another top-rated gift for new dads is a diaper bag. We like this stylish diaper bag for men or women by Dagne Dover. It’s made from stretchy neoprene, which is incredibly easy to clean, and has plenty of pockets. Other standout features include how it clips to strollers, comes with a changing mat and has an extra zipper opening for wipes. While the bag alone is plenty, many moms like to take things one step further and fill it up with little treats and parenting essentials. “I got my husband the diaper bag he wanted and filled it with both things for him and baby,” explains The Bump forum member Trgree1712. “Among the things for him were a nice bottle of scotch, cigars and a few snack items he likes. Then I added standard baby items: bibs, binkies, blankets, baby lotion and wash,” she continues.

Next up is a fun new dad gift for Star Wars fans. The graphic novel aptly named Darth Vader and Son is a comic reimagining of Darth Vader as a father like any other. This sweet illustrated book presents the trials and joys of parenting through the lens of a galaxy far, far away.

“You could give a picture frame for his office or something he can fill with a picture later,” says The Bump forum member april172010U. And we agree: A framed picture of your child is one of the best gifts to give a new dad. This wooden frame comes in a few different colors, has a sweet message and can be personalized with your little one’s name.

A cribbage set is a great gift for new dads that love a family board game night. This travel-size set is available with 63 different national park engraving designs, so it’s also a great option for avid hikers.

He’s not a regular dad, he’s a cool dad—at least, he will be with this T-shirt. Made from 100 percent cotton, this tee boasts a slightly oversized fit and bold text. Choose from several colors to find the best fit for your loved one.

Looking for a sweet keepsake for Dad’s home office? Consider this hand-painted sculpture of a father holding his newborn baby. It’s a thoughtful gift to commemorate this special moment in time.

If in doubt, buy Dad some chocolate! Seriously, it’s an edible gift he’s sure to appreciate in those hazy newborn days. “It may seem silly, but my husband loves Reese's and our Walmart has just started stocking giant half-pound Reese's Peanut Butter cups. I picked one up for him today as a little surprise gift for when we're in the hospital,” says The Bump forum member Merbot. Yum!

How about a framed picture for baby’s room? This sweet nursery print reads “te amo,” which means “I love you” in Spanish and Portuguese. It’s an especially nice option for bilingual families.

The best presents for new dads play to his interests. If he’s a sporty guy he may like a new baseball glove, it’s something he can use now and in later life to play catch with your kids. This option by Rawlings has a full-grain oiled leather shell and can be used for a whole host of recreational sports including softball and baseball.

Apple Airpods are an undoubtedly cool present for new dads. They offer high-quality sound and voice-activated Siri for an unparalleled wireless experience.

Make sure baby’s first word is “dada” with the help of this cute board book. The sweet story by Tonight Show host and Saturday Night Live alum Jimmy Fallon features adorable illustrations of daddy and baby cows, sheep, ducks, frogs and more. It’s sure to result in some giggles during storytime!

If you’re looking for a big birthday or holiday gift, this gaming console could be a contender. It has a slim design, so it won’t take up much space on your TV console and is perfect for dads in need of a bit of “me time”.

If you don’t have the budget for a flashy PS5, but still like the idea of a gamer-themed gift, we’ve got you covered. This sweet baby onesie reads “player 3 has joined the game” for a fun nod to your partner’s favorite pastime.

If your baby is due in the run-up to Christmas, you could create a custom advent calendar filled with small gifts for a new dad. This wooden shadow box has 25 drawers ready to be filled with goodies and the exterior can be decorated with paint, markers or other craft supplies.

Enjoy a picture perfect moment with this T-shirt for new dads. He can wear it in the delivery suite or on the day you bring baby home from the hospital. And it’s available in a range of colors.