First Time Dad (FTD) Christmas/Holiday gifts?

Court11152325 · November 2015

I tried searching and couldn't find anything about this related to Christmas (some stuff from father's day)....

Are any of you getting something special for your SO from baby or related to being a first time (or second or third) father? I've tried googling and the ideas just aren't that original to me. My DH is not stereotypical in that he wouldn't like a paint can filled with baby supplies or a tool box. I was thinking about getting a onesie that says "to me my dad is superman" (he's a big superman fan), but I really just want to get *him* something, not something that's really for the baby.

Any suggestions?

cedixon2 · November 2015

If I had the money, I would get something that DH would enjoy maybe along the lines of a hobby? I know my DH loves it when I put the little one in daddy loves me or #1dad onsies/bibs.

cedixon2 · November 2015

Ignore me, I totally didn't answer the question. Thinking is hard.

Bombmom3 · November 2015

With our first, my husband was gone for about six months starting when DD was 4m. This spanned over Christmas. He was bummed about missing her first one. Because he is gone here and there, his gift from her was a small mold of her hand print in that moldable clay that hardens into a cast with the inscription "We may be thousands of miles apart but now my Daddy will always be able to hold my hand." Her print was small enough that the whole thing could fit in a pocket if he wanted to have it on him. He isn't sentimental or sappy but I noticed he has always packed that with him on his longer trips.

Maybe a keepsake like that would be nice? You can scrap the "travel" aspect of it and make it into something personal to your family. Of course, there is always the classic standby of the #1 Dad mug you can customize with foot and hand prints (I think this is what all three kids are getting DH this year lol)

ckenyon82 · November 2015

We got our relatives some cool photos with the baby's heart beat on them. But on etsy there are tons of things you can get with the baby's heartbeat on it, just search "baby heartbeat." Just one idea.

Think about his hobbies and maybe you could get him something that he can use in his hobbies but share with the kid later?

Court11152325 · November 2015

I think the hobby point is a good one, but I want it to be something that is kind of related to fatherhood. I was also thinking like maybe an engraved frame that he could put a newborn photo in and put in his office.

Fdpolla92 · November 2015

I got a Keychain on etsy with a cute saying and our baby's name. There are tons of cute gift ideas on there.

VesperLove · November 2015

For my wedding I gave my dad a handstamped copper wallet insert with a personal message. He loved it. I did a quick etsy search and they have a few for new parents, like one with baby's name, birthdate and footprints. And some other cool ones. Here's the search I did.

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=new+dad+wallet+insert&order=most_relevant&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US

Mother0fDragons · November 2015

This requires more talent than I have, but it's cute..
https://juliegillrie.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-star-trek-quiet-book.html

Here's another idea
https://howtobuildit.org/2015/09/17/15-homemade-christmas-gifts-that-arent-cheesy/5/

GodIsFaithful93 · November 2015

Shutterfly has great deals on photo things (I got DH a photo mug last year) I'm sure you could throw in superman somehow too. They are great gifts

Mizuiro007 · November 2015

Superman diaper bag or I've seen t shirts that have the Superman symbol and "dad". Depending on what he does, my dad always loved things he could keep on his desk at work. He talked about it when he retired and had all the little handmade presents, handprints, pictures from over the years and even some little notes I'd left in his desk once when I was little and went with him to work.

This year we got DS a little backpack he can carry around like Daddy's and a soft blanket for Daddy/kiddo snuggles on the couch. There's also the gift of relaxation. I did it last year and plan to try to do it again this year. To show my appreciation I made breakfast and we had a quiet, relaxing morning as a family. My mom and I would also go out shopping and give hubby a little time where he could relax and do whatever he wanted. Afterwards he always seems a little more relaxed. I know it isn't very Christmasy but he always asked for a day of not going anywhere or doing anything for Christmas and his birthday.

TomekiaB · November 2015

I got my husband a nice "grown up" backpack that can double as a manly diaper bag when he needs it too. Photo gifts are fun, maybe a travel coffee cup with baby in a superman onesie or something would be something your DH would like. I also have made a point to get a couple baby items that are specific to my DH's interests. I ordered "Guess How Much I Love You" in my DH's first language to read to our LO.

By the way have you seen the pictures of dad's and kids wearing superman shirts under button-ups? So cute!!

Our anniversary, Christmas and DH's Birthday are all within a month...if anyone has great "iron anniversary ideas" (6 years) I'm all ears!

EEB88 · November 2015

You guys are so much nicer than I am. I've been so miserable that my gift to him is the gift of life. His, not the baby's.

Cnrwife · November 2015

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151966042/sale-christmas-gift-for-dad-personalized

What about something like this? I had a leather bracelet made for my husband that I'll give him that's been personalized with our kids names. He works in a position where he's gone 6 out of the 7 days - so that's something that he can always have with him. I love etsy for this sort of thing. Searching "dad engraved" brings up all kinds of things.

JackJacktheCat · November 2015

My husband loves craft beer & really wanted a membership to a brewery that specializes in sour beers. Well, I missed the day to sign up & it sold out in hours, so now I'm searching for a special (hard to find) bottle to get him. Since we may be in the hospital for the holiday, I've also packed a few of his favorite treats in his hospital bag with a note as a surprise (this was a suggestion on another post, thanks!). I'd love to get him something that he'd find useful that's related to being a new dad, but I'm finding that harder. His hobbies are woodworking & photography, so maybe a new tool or accessory for his camera that would make taking baby's newborn photos easier....

rockinmathchic · November 2015

I don't know if your SO likes Star Wars or not. I thought he might because he likes Superman. I got my DH the Darth Vader and Son book for our first. He LOVED it! They also have a Vader's Little Princess if you're having a girl.

https://www.amazon.com/Darth-Vader-Son-Jeffrey-Brown/dp/145210655X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1448390233&sr=1-1&keywords=darth+vader+and+son

There is also a great book for dads similar to What to Expect the First Year called Show Dad How that utilizes a lot of pictures and humor. I got this for my brother when he became and father and it is really entertaining to read!!

https://www.amazon.com/Show-Dad-How-Parenting-Magazine/dp/1616281111/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1448390452&sr=1-2&keywords=dad+how+to+baby

momotheflyinglemur · November 2015

This Christmas I am getting him one of those gamer shirts that says: Achievement Unlocked: Fatherhood and then everything else is going to be normal presents that he likes. A Steam controller, a 1987 Rockets basketball pin for his backpack, gift cards for lunch places near the office.

Court11152325 · November 2015

Thanks everyone! These are all great ideas. We're on a budget, but all of these ideas seem like they will work. Now I just have to narrow it down.

Mizuiro007 · November 2015

momotheflyinglemur said:
This Christmas I am getting him one of those gamer shirts that says: Achievement Unlocked: Fatherhood and then everything else is going to be normal presents that he likes. A Steam controller, a 1987 Rockets basketball pin for his backpack, gift cards for lunch places near the office.

I've thought about finding player 3 and player 4 onesies for the kids.

stephaniearthurs · November 2015

For Father's day I got my hubby a book by one of his favorite comedians, Jim Gaffigan, called "dad is fat". It's about his experience raising 5 children, and apparently really funny (my hubby liked it)

yankeebabeme · November 2015

I just got my husband some new sweat pants and fleece zip ups. figured I would bring him something new to wear when he stays with me in hospital. I'm on a budget too! gap is having 50% off right now. thats where I got the sweatpants,shirt and zipup... and socks!