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
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.
