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Justin Galster, a 35-year-old expecting father in Oakland, California, didn’t expect to receive any dad-to-be gifts as his wife’s due date approached. “It really never crossed my mind,” he told Mom.com. So, each gift that has arrived — from college friends, or from his wife, the mom-to-be — was a true surprise.
In part, that’s because dad-to-be gifts are still a relatively new phenomenon. (Consider that co-ed baby showers are still somehow headline-worthy; dadchelor parties, even moreso). Parenthood — and fatherhood — is changing. Men are more involved. And as such, we, as a culture, are more accustomed to celebrating their transition from dude to dad.
Chris Pegula, author of From Dude to Dad: The Diaper Dude Guide to Pregnancy, is all about the shift. When his children were born — his youngest is 16 — there were no real dad-to-be gifts (which is one reason why he developed the Diaper Dude diaper bag brand). Now, Pegula sees gifts that really celebrate a man’s transition to parenthood. “You want to give inspiration and confidence,” he told Mom.com. “It’s about giving dads respect for being a more equal parent and encouraging them to raise the bar.”
Of course, dads do it differently — and the best kind of gifts for them are less receiving blankets and bottle warmers, more tools, tech and dad jokes.
Bonus: All of these gifts can be safely delivered or given virtually, in case you are honoring the dad-to-be with a socially distant, virtual, or drive-by celebration during COVID-19.
Funny dad-to-be gifts
1. A dad-to-be shirt
Graphic shirts give the dad-to-be an opportunity to wear his new identity with pride — and there’s no shortage of punny, funny options. “I've got a handful of new dad-related t-shirts with catchy slogans ranging from ‘Girl Dad’ to ‘It's not a Dad-bod, it’s a Father Figure’ — which is already too small to fit, ironically,” says Galster.
2. A dad-to-be pint glass
While most dads-to-be have to wait a few years for their first “World’s Best Dad” Father’s Day mug, there’s a pint glass with his name on it right now. Because, apparently, dads like beer.
3. Anything by Jim Gaffigan
Jim Gaffigan, the comedian, acclaimed author book likes of Dad Is Fat, and, yes, father of five, is the patron saint of dad bod — and relatable dad humor that goes far beyond the traditional “dad joke.” (If dad jokes are his thing, though, there are plenty of books to go around).
Techy dad-to-be gifts
For a lot of guys, there isn’t a problem that a new piece of tech can’t fix — and that goes double for parenthood.
4. A multi-pack of Tiles
Chronic sleep deprivation means the new dad will probably have no idea where his keys are — again! The 200-foot Bluetooth range means he can find just about anything lost in the home, and Tile’s Community Find feature means you’re not totally screwed if something fell while stollering. If only they made them binky-sized.
5. A desktop photo printer__
In a lot of new families, dad is the unofficial documentarian — especially in the newborn days, when a breastfeeding mom’s hands are literally full. A simple desktop photo printer makes sure the best images on the camera roll make it to the wall of fame.
6. Wireless earbuds
For those long walks in the carrier, praying the baby finally goes to sleep — earbuds, specifically, wireless ones that you won’t get tangled in. Earbuds are one of the top non-baby gifts for new parents, per Mom.com contributor Gretchen Bossio, who wrote, “these little things are the technology every parent will put to use on the daily!”
Truly unique dad-to-be gifts
Because new dad-to-be gifts are a relatively recent trend, the “rules” and common practices — if there are any — are still in flux. The best dad-to-be gifts are the ones that keep that specific dad in mind.
7. Caffeine, on demand
“But first, coffee” takes on a whole new meaning when you become a parent. “My amazing wife went all out with what might be the nicest gift I've received in my life … an espresso machine,” says Galster.
8. A new toy for an old hobby
Some of the best new dad-to-be gifts honor the person he was before having a child. Galster’s college friends pitched in to get him an upgraded BBQ, for instance.
9. A monthly subscription
Truly, the gift that keeps on giving. Is the dad-to-be into premium meats? Craft beer? Mind-altering hot sauce? Whatever his particular interest, there is surely a monthly subscription to suit it. It’s a regular reminder that he has an identity beyond dad. And if you’re lucky enough, you’ll get a delicious steak dinner out of it, to boot.
10. A memento
“I love to encourage men to defy the stereo of what it means to be a man,” says Pegula. And that includes being emotional. One of his favorite ideas for new dads is a journal, meant to be shared with the child when they’re of age. “It harkens back to when my wife and I got married,” Pegula explains. “Our rabbi suggested putting together a book, with the title ‘I love you because…’ which was essentially a journal you fill up.” It encourage a new father to share his thoughts about this truly special time of life, and to give a child the gift of reading those words when they're of age.
