Life with a new baby isn’t always easy: There are sleepless nights, poopy diapers, and lots of unexplained crying even under the best of circumstances. But ask most new dads if they’d trade it, and they wouldn’t for the world. So we think these guys deserve something nice for Father’s Day, or just because.
For our list of gifts for new dads, we’ve tried to come up with gifts that acknowledge his new role — things that make dadding it up easier, or help him lean into the fact that he might just have a newfound interest in making bad jokes. We also included gifts that let him know that while his title may have changed, he’s still the same guy and his own person — he’s just rocking a little bit more spit-up than usual on the shoulders of his T-shirts these days. Here are some of our very favorite gifts for our very favorite guys!
New dads often have to haul a lot of baby gear. But one thing that doesn’t have to be clunky? His wallet. The ultra slim Parliament comes with a built-in aluminum cardholder that fans out up to six cards. Add the tracker card so even if he does misplace his wallet, he’ll always be able to find it.
This is a perfect gift for new dads because beverages — whether water, coffee, beer, or something stronger — are going to be essential to getting through these trying days. Yeti keeps drinks piping hot or icy cold. Personalize with the year his little one was born for an extra touch of charm.
Now that he’s a dad, he’s going to have to gain an appreciation for dad-joke T-shirts (we don’t make the rules). This is an ideal gift for the new dad who can’t wait until his baby is old enough to hold their first controller.
He’s always wanted a nice cocktail set and we think, now that he’s a dad, he’s earned it. This set comes with everything he’ll need to make the perfect martini (or Manhattan, or whatever else he likes), and some luxurious and convenient extras, like a handsome bamboo stand and cocktail recipe book.
Yes, he’s new at this, but we think he has what it takes to be one of the greats. This hoodie is a great gift for new dads who maybe need a reminder every now and then (or who, reasonably, want to brag about their superb dadding skills).
A perfect gift for new dads in need of a coffee maker upgrade (he certainly makes enough coffee these days!). Whether he wants a pot or a cup, the FlexBrew Trio has him covered. A single cup, made with either a K-cup pod or reusable cup and his own coffee, can be ready in just 90 seconds.
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7
Because They Don’t Come With Instruction Manuals
Bantam ‘The Happiest Baby on the Block’ by Harvey Karp
7
Because They Don’t Come With Instruction Manuals
Bantam ‘The Happiest Baby on the Block’ by Harvey Karp
Some people refer to this book as a “baby bible,” and with good reason. Dr. Harvey Karp gives invaluable insights on life with newborns by discussing “the fourth trimester,” an infant’s calming reflex, the magical “5 Ss” to turn on the baby’s calming reflex, and how to combine this knowledge to soothe and calm even colicky babies.
Look, dads love gadgets, and men of dad age generally love Star Wars. Is it practical? Not especially. But it’s so cool. And it’s the perfect gift for new dads that will bring their geeky hearts a level of breakfast joy they didn’t know existed until now.
A portrait of his new family — done in a vibrantly colored rotoscope style — is the perfect gift for new dads. Just choose the number of people in the picture (up to 10), check out, then send the artist a reference image. This gift is the digital file only, so you can have it printed and framed however you like!
Just because the baby is sleeping doesn’t mean the house has to go silent! These headphones have excellent sound quality, are Bluetooth-compatible, and are noise-canceling, so it’s the perfect gift for new dads who want to keep listening to music (or gaming) at a normal volume during nap time.
His family already has the key to his heart, so why not put them on his keychain as well? This leather key fob with a photo of your choice is a sweet, daily reminder that wherever he is, there are people who love him when he gets home. Just submit the customized text and photo to the seller.
Whether he wants to take his family to the beach, water park, or lake (or just needs to take the garbage out and doesn’t feel like tying his shoes) these hydro mocs are perfect. Comfortable and designed for those lazy (or adventurous), in-and-out-of-the-water kinds of days, it’s an ideal recreation shoe for the new family man.
For those days when all he wants to do is chill in the backyard and snuggle with — or momentarily escape — the baby, this is the perfect chair to do it in. The adjustable umbrella keeps the sun out of your eyes for a truly carefree day.
The best gifts for new dads are those that recognize his new number-one priority (aside from the baby, of course!): Sleep! This weighted blanket from Brooklinen is made from breathable cotton with a quilted layer of tiny glass beads that feels like a hug any time he lies down.
Family trips to the park just got an upgrade! This cute, highly portable outdoor blanket is waterproof, washable, and big enough so that everyone can come to the picnic or playdate. And with a lifetime warranty (even past Amazon’s return window), he’ll enjoy it for years to come.
Becoming a new dad is a huge reason to celebrate, but it shouldn’t be a surprise that there are always challenges at every turn. This sport-centric playbook is filled with quotes and insights from some of the greatest coaches about staying focused, being a leader, and scoring under pressure.
He’ll be amazed at how much he can store on the inside of this Dad Hoodie: phone, wallet, diapers, a bottle, a pacifier, and even diaper wipes. He’ll be both comfy and prepared at all times.
Late-night television show host and proud papa Jimmy Fallon wrote this story, which can only be described as “heartfelt.” It’s a sweet story with adorable illustrations and the perfect gift for a new dad. In a board-book form, Dad and baby can read this before bed, and baby won’t accidentally destroy it.
Do we have a comic book geek in the house? Your little one’s name will be incorporated throughout this heroic Mega Dad comic book story. It’ll become a storytime staple from the moment they’re born.
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20
The Best New Dad Gag Gift
BigDotOfHappiness Daddy's First Milestone Beer Labels
20
The Best New Dad Gag Gift
BigDotOfHappiness Daddy's First Milestone Beer Labels
This six-pack and set of labels are fairly hilarious. The “milestones” printed upon them are things like, “You got peed on, you're now officially a dad.” and “You and your child are both in mismatched clothing.” It’s a lighthearted, silly way to commemorate the holiday.
Jamie Kenney is a freelance writer for BestProducts.com; Her other work has appeared on Bustle, Parents, Playboy, McSweeny's Internet Tendency, the Takeout, and Romper, where she covers parenting, news, entertainment, and likes to help readers see the ridiculous (and hilarious) side of motherhood.
Cat Bowen has been writing about all things parenting for well over a decade. She spends her days researching, reviewing, and testing everything from strollers to breast pumps to changing tables. Her work has been featured in Romper, Bustle, and franchised across dozens of media outlets. In her spare time she loves volunteering at her kids' schools, reading everything she can get her hands on, running, and cooking for her family.
Brian is the former lifestyle editor at BestProducts.com, and his work has been featured on Popular Mechanics and Good Housekeeping; He covers everything from the latest viral product trends to the coolest things in pop culture. When Brian’s not at the office, you can find him at a Barry’s class, watching Bravo, or binging the latest Netflix craze.