What To Get a Dad-To-Be For Father’s Day

Dad’s first Father’s Day

As it will be their first Father’s Day, you probably want to do something a little special, especially at a time when the focus will have been on the mother and her bundle of joy. That isn’t to say that it has to be something expensive however. The best gift will always be one that comes from genuine feelings, and which aligns with his personality and interests. Something that you have taken the time to think about will always mean a lot more than a generic token of affection, whatever the price tag. Having a new baby and becoming a parent for the first time is one of the most exciting times in your life - and one that is happening close to home. My brother Tom and his partner Barbara, who live in Barbara's home town in Portugal, are expecting their first child later this month and I couldn’t be happier for them, or more excited to meet my niece. Along with the usual excitement (that can be equal parts terror and elation/wonderment), there is also the built-in acceptance into a new celebration: Father’s Day - which is always held on the third Sunday in June. The fact that my brother is expecting so close to Father’s Day got me thinking this year…. For whatever reason, Father’s Day just doesn’t get the same attention as Mother’s Day. Yet it can be a chance to celebrate the amazing work that any men in your child’s life are doing, as well as a chance to honour the new role that a dad-to-be will soon be stepping into. Do you have someone in your life that is soon to be a father, and you are in need of ideas for Father's Day gifts? Here’s our guide on what to get a dad-to-be for Father’s Day.

What to get a dad-to-be for Father’s Day: from the newborn and from you

Personalised items for his new identity As well as the literal life change, the welcoming of a new baby also means a huge shift in how dad sees themselves and the role they now inhabit. Celebrate the transition by gifting them some personalised desk stationery - a physical celebration of the new identity that comes from such a life-changing transition, and one that will bring pleasure every time they put pen to paper. Keepsakes of this time As stressful as a newborn can be, the early days are over in a blink of an eye, so giving him something to connect back to those days could be just the thing he wants. Ideally, you’ll want something to crystallise this unique time that’s more tangible than a memory. Consider gifts such as a plaster cast of your newborn’s feet; a framed newspaper from the day the child was born; or a photobook of candid images, detailing the experiences that you three shared. A gift from baby They may not be able to hold eye-contact yet, let alone pen their name in a card, but that doesn’t mean that dad can’t receive a gift from his new baby. Gifts of this nature tend to either be funny or sentimental - a canvas print of the two of them together, or a baby-grow with a comedic graphic or slogan that links to the dad’s pastimes, or ‘honours’ his performance as a father. ‘World’s best dad items’ fall under this category, and make for classic gifts. Subscription boxes We all know that as soon as the baby arrives, extravagance and luxuries go out the window. Give dad a gift that keeps on giving by indulging in a subscription that is all about him. He may not have the spare cash or time to keep up with his hobbies, but a beer/magazine/coffee/vinyl subscription that drops through the letterbox each month can be the perfect way to carve out a little bit of him-time, and a connection to the person he was before being ‘dad.’ Baby gear for dads Nine times out of ten, it is the mother-to-be who buys all of the accessories that come with a new baby (pushchair, car seat, travel cot, changing bag, endless clothes in a variety of sizes…). As a result, if they’re not based on the child themselves, the designs can have a somewhat feminine bent to them. While there is nothing wrong with a dad toting around super-soft baby gear covered in pink flowers or cartoon characters, it can be a wonderful gesture to give him something he can carry nappies in that won’t make a dent in his street cred. It doesn’t even have to be primarily for baby care. An upgrade to his usual bag of choice that now allows space for milk bottles can be a wonderfully sentimental gesture, as well as a practical one. Experiences you can share Once a baby arrives at home, many aspects of socialising goes out of the window. You can remedy this by choosing a gift that’s an experience you can do together, either with the baby or by yourselves. Popular options include family photo shoots, a night away at a local hotel or spa, or simply a meal cooked by someone else that doesn’t involve warming up milk first.

Don’t forget the Father’s Day card

Once you’ve chosen the perfect gift, finish it off with a meaningful card. We’ve got a wonderful range of hand-printed cards, such as the beautifully sentimental ‘From great oaks, little acorns grow’ Father’s Day card.

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Dads are our first superheroes, and deserve the attention that Father’s Day affords them. Let them know how much you appreciate them, whether they are new to the job, a novice nappy changer or an old timer with grandkids. There’s a card and gift for everyone: here’s our Father’s Day edit if you are in search of more ideas.