Gifts for New Dads: 7 Ideas for Him and the First Year

The baby will get plenty of presents. These seven are for the new dad and his first year as a father: a sweatshirt with his child's name on the sleeve and a 'Dear Daddy' frame for a photo of him and the baby, a journal of questions to answer for his son, an engraved time capsule to fill for his child, a vintage book of rhymes and stories to read out loud, pancake mixes for weekend mornings, and a waxed-canvas diaper backpack for outings with the baby.

Dad's Legacy Journal, Father-Son Keepsake

1 A Father-to-Son Question Journal

This 6 x 9 inch hardcover journal, Questions You'll Wish You Asked, has more than 100 questions for a father to answer for his son, from favorite concerts to the books he hopes his son will read.

Best for:

A new dad of a baby boy who likes the idea of writing things down now, while they're fresh.

Why choose this:

It gives him a reason to put his own stories on paper, a few questions at a time, for his son to read years from now.

Good to know:

The questions are written for fathers and sons; the shop suggests one journal per child. Returns are accepted within 7 days.

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2 An Engraved Baby Time Capsule

This solid wood time capsule box is engraved with the baby's name and date. It comes in small (about 7 x 6 x 6 inches), medium or large, in three stains, with contemporary or traditional hardware.

Best for:

A new dad who likes the idea of saving letters, photos and first-year keepsakes for his child.

Why choose this:

He fills it during the first months, and his child gets to open it years from now, with his own notes inside.

Good to know:

Double-check the name and date before ordering, since it's engraved and can't be returned. The lock is sold in a separate listing.

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Custom Embroidered Dad Est Sweatshirt, Kids Names on Sleeve

3 An Embroidered 'Dad Est.' Sweatshirt with Names on the Sleeve

The year he became a dad is embroidered on the front of this crewneck sweatshirt or hoodie, and up to four kids' names are stitched inside one sleeve cuff. It's a cotton-polyester midweight fleece in a unisex fit, sizes S to 3XL, in 17 colors.

Best for:

A new dad who lives in a sweatshirt on weekends.

Why choose this:

It's an everyday piece of clothing with the year and his child's name stitched in, there whenever he pulls it on.

Good to know:

Give the year, thread color, names and left or right sleeve in the personalization box, and check the size chart in the photos. Returns are not accepted.

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4 A 'Dear Daddy' Picture Frame

This vegan leather frame with glass holds a vertical 4 x 6 photo and is engraved with a short 'Dear Daddy' poem and the child's name. It has a hanger for the wall and a folding stand for a shelf or desk, and it comes in seven colors.

Best for:

A new dad who'd like a photo of him and the baby where he'll see it every day.

Why choose this:

You pick the photo, so it can be a moment from his first weeks as a dad, framed with a few words from the baby.

Good to know:

The frame in the photo is a sample: it reads 'Happy First Father's Day,' shows a year and holds a stock photo. The seller adds a year automatically and can remove or change it, or adjust the wording, if you ask when ordering. You'll need to print and insert your own photo; the shop doesn't print it. Returns are not accepted.

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5 A Pancake Mix Trio for Weekend Mornings

Three pancake mixes, buttermilk, blueberry and pecan, come in retro cloth bags, with the blueberries and chopped pecans in separate packets. The seller lists soft wheat flour, sugar, buttermilk, butter, blueberries and chopped pecans among the ingredients.

Best for:

A new dad who's up early anyway and likes to cook breakfast for the household.

Why choose this:

It turns a slow weekend morning into pancakes, with three flavors to work through.

Good to know:

The mixes contain wheat and dairy, and one includes pecans. Gift wrap is available. Returns are not accepted.

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6 A Waxed-Canvas Diaper Backpack

This convertible diaper backpack is made from waxed canvas and measures about 34 x 40 x 16 cm. A monogram is optional.

Best for:

A family where the new dad will often be the one carrying the diaper bag on outings.

Why choose this:

It's everyday family gear rather than a personal gift, but in plain waxed canvas instead of a baby print, so it's a bag he won't mind carrying.

Good to know:

It ships from Türkiye; the seller says it covers US duties. A monogrammed bag can't be returned.

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The Little Big Book for Dads, First Edition 2001

7 A Vintage Copy of The Little Big Book for Dads

This pre-owned first edition from 2001 is a 352-page hardcover with a slipcover. It collects nursery rhymes, songs, fairy tales, poetry, essays, recipes, tongue twisters and jokes, and the seller describes its condition as 'Excellent no signs of wear'.

Best for:

A new dad who wants something to read out loud and pass along later.

Why choose this:

It's a big, old-fashioned book of things to read and do together that he can grow into with his child.

Good to know:

It's a single vintage copy, so it may sell. Returns are not accepted.

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Created with AI assistance.