Father's Day: Eight Gifts & Gadgets for New Dads

By Reena Jana
June 9, 2011

Gifts for Dad

Becoming a new dad means that there’s a holiday to add to the family’s calendar of annual celebrations: Father’s Day, of course. Luckily for both gift-givers and receivers alike, there are a number of cool gadgets and gear out there to make newbie dads (and dads welcoming newborns to the brood) more comfortable in the early days and months of parenthood.

These range from slick-looking, messenger-style diaper bags to elegant strollers that can pack easily and quickly into a car or cab. And what new dad wouldn’t love an iPhone 4, with its built-in still and video cameras and video-call capabilities (how perfect for showing off the baby)? Better yet, surprise the proud papa with a 51-inch flat-screen TV, which is not only great for treating him to leisure time when the little one is napping, but for presenting large-scale, living-room slide show of munchkin photos or videos in glorious high-definition color.

This year, most moms and other relatives are gearing up to show dads how much they appreciate them by spending more on Father’s Day gifts in 2011 than they did last year, according to the newly released National Research Federation Consumer Intentions and Actions Father’s Day survey, conducted by BIGresearch. The survey found that Americans will spend an average of $106.49 this Father’s Day—that’s up from last year ($94.32), and more than in any year in the survey’s history. Traditional items such as clothing (yes, including the classic necktie) will still be popular, but so will electronics. Perhaps most enlightening, most shoppers surveyed plan on providing dads with activities and experiences (an outing, such as a meal or a movie) as gifts, suggesting that making memories is a huge goal for gift-givers this Father’s Day.

On eBay, both sales and listings for items tagged with the term "Father's Day" have tripled in a recent 30-day period (5/4-6/2) compared to the prior period, as shoppers gear up for the holiday.

Of course, welcoming a new family addition is a monumental memory-making event on its own for a new dad. And let's face it: it's also often a challenging one, too, filled with exhausting sleep-deprived nights and days filled with first-time experiences that can be as daunting as they can be beautiful. This list of must-haves is guaranteed to make not only Father’s Day, but also every day a happy one.

Gifts for the New Dad

Orbit Baby Stroller Travel System

Getting home from the hospital with a newborn requires a sturdy and safe car seat. This sleek system from Orbit Baby includes a seat that snaps into a fashionable, folding stroller frame—thus minimizing the gear that dad’s got to cart around from day one.
Apple iPhone 4

Dad will love the easy-to-use iPhone 4, especially in its new, handsome white color. The mobile phone includes a camera, video camera, and Facetime, a built-in video calling system that connects with other iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPad 2s—all ideal for sharing the news of the baby’s first milestones with family and friends.
Kalencom Urban Sling Baby Messenger Bag

Dad doesn’t have to borrow mom’s girly diaper bag when taking the little one out. This masculine messenger bag was made for new fathers with a sense of style: it has numerous pockets, including an insulated pouch for milk bottles. It also comes with a matching cell-phone case and diaper pad.
BabyPro Infant Bottle Warming System

When dad gets up in the middle of the night every few hours to help feed a newborn, he doesn’t have to stumble to the kitchen to warm up milk or formula. This system, which can be kept bedside, keeps two 8-ounce baby bottles cool for up to 8 hours and includes a heating mechanism to to warm a bottle to a safe temperature in about 5 minutes. It also has a nightlight—so dad doesn’t have to struggle when he’s prepping milk at 3 AM.
Philips Avent Digital Video Baby Monitor

When baby is asleep in his or her crib, daddy can keep an eye on the infant with this video baby monitor.
Samsung Flat panel HDTV/3D 51-inch TV

In many ways, this is perhaps the ultimate surprise gift for a new dad: a 51-inch flat screen TV. Not only does it provide a great way for him to unwind by watching sports or catching up with his favorite shows when the baby’s asleep, but it’s also a wonderful, giant screen for showing off slideshows of baby photos or adorable videos of the newborn when guests come over.
Baby Bjorn Comfort Carrier

When the little one is sturdy enough for a carrier (at about 3 months), this new model from Baby Bjorn is sure to be one of dad’s favorite pieces of baby gear. The design features an ergonomic waistband that distributes weight across the hips, alleviating back strain. Best of all, it can be used for kids up to the age of two.
MacLaren Techno Twin Stroller

Some new dads will be new dads of twins. Others will be bringing home an infant when there's already a toddler in the house. This folding twin stroller from MacLaren has fully reclining seats, so it can be used from birth, and it's balanced so that dads can also stroll with a newborn as well as a one- or two- year- old in the other seat. Added Bonus: designed to fit through a standard door frame.