Whats the perfect gift for a new dad?

[adamstorm]

Hi Guys...

Just a quick question really, my best mate is about to be a dad, and I would really like to get him an awesome dad present. Its his first child and we don't know if it will be a boy or a girl, but really I'd like to get a gift that the dad can use with the kid together, or something that will be really useful.

I don't want to get clothes or teddies or any of that typically "girlie" junk, I need MAN GIFTS!

So my question is what are the products that Dads just cant love without? What products do dads love? no matter the budget I want to hear your ideas!

Thanks
Adamstorm

[vintageteacups]

So do you want something he can use with a newborn or something, like a kids gardening set they can use when the child is older?

Bit of a strange one really.

You would usually get something for the baby and something for the dad - what about a hamper of luxury stuff blokes like and include a nice magazine he'd like.

Or what about a track day the baby will appreciate the happy hormones generated by the thrilling day the father has had

Oh - just seen it's dadnet - no wonder you said "Hi Guys" - bye bye

[Meglet]

I think a baby is enough of a gift .

[adamstorm]

Thanks for your ideas Vintageteacups!

Meglet, you are right, a baby is enough of a gift, but perhaps I didnt explain it right, its not MY baby, its my friend who is about to be a dad, not me!

They had LOTS of problems conceiving, and the baby was a sort of "one in a million" type thing. HOWEVER they were super supportive when my wife was pregnant, even though they thought they would never be able to have kids themselves.

so I want to get the dad something epic.... any ideas?

[MotherPanda]

My brother would say beer.

He was very upset that everybody brought presents for his partner and the baby - so its very thoughtful of you to think of the man!

Erm... something epic? does he like music/games/sport? Something he can do whilst looking after baby ( my husband wants an xbox... sigh)

[janx]

A coffee machine - best thing we ever got!

[DancingWind]

I'm not a man but how about a nice bottle of champagne or wine? If thats too girly then maybe vodka or whisky The men I know would love it

[sm2k]

If they don't have one already, a Baby Bjorn sling to take the little'un out for a walk. Much better than taking the pram out, the only problem is the inevitable granny-muggings (them mugging him, not the other way round! They say slings are unisex, but its simply not true - a Baby Bjorn type one (not the crappy Tomy ones) are clearly Dad Slings, while those endless-piece-of-fabric-in-a-tangle ones are clearly Mum Slings. Fact.

[sm2k]

Others:

• earplugs (excellent option for the cheapskate gift-giver)
  
• power screwdriver for all the bloody furniture that creeps in
  
• a camera that actually takes good indoor pictures (rare indeed! Look through all your friends' online photos you can find, if on e.g. Picasa it notes the camera model. Most compacts are crap indoors, but that's where a lot of the photos will suddenly be taken)
  
• Decent small digital radio - important for sanity in the months after when pacing around with baby on shoulder late at night. I was lucky enough to be given a Roberts one that runs on 4 AA batteries, its really good.
  
• Offer to write thank-you notes for him to his mother's friends who have sent cute-but-useless gifts...........
  

Sorry, not very exciting but these are real practical things I could have done with first time round.

[Kiwiinkits]

A bottle of brandy or whiskey or pinot noir bottled in 2011, for him to stow away until the little one's 21st birthday.

Or one of these rad backpacks (that my DH loves): shop.philandteds.com/carry/escape-baby-carrier-phil-and-teds

[ThumbsNoseAtSnapewitch]

I was goingo to say a baby carrier of some kind - gives Dad the opportunity to get closer to the baby when out and about. We had a Tomy to start with, if a sling seems a bit too "girly" - and then moved onto a backpack-style carrier that stands up on its own (with careful watching!)

If he likes reading, or is any kind of IT person, then this book might provide a laugh or two.
DH found this one quite good.
If he's into cars, this one might suit him better.

Second the idea of a decent camera, if you're feeling generous.

[adamstorm]

Thanks, these are all great ideas, but I need a few more. Any more suggestions?

[ThumbsNoseAtSnapewitch]

Any idea of what sort of thing you're after? Or perhaps a price guide?

[adamstorm]

Price wise, I dont mind splashing out, I'd sooner get something that lasts rather than something "disposable" if you know what I mean.

What I am after is something really "Manly".

Imagine if Top-gear did baby products.... thats what Im after! Something that says Im an extreme dad hero

does that help?

[ThumbsNoseAtSnapewitch]

you might get more ideas from this page but to be honest, a baby carrier is one of the best "high end" things that make Dads look like superheroes, IMO.

[sm2k]

Think you might be on the wrong track with the 'extreme dad hero' thing. This is the sort of thing he might want when the grind gets tough further down the line. At the moment, spending time with the baby (and not feeling like a spare part if baby is being breastfed) and showing off the baby (ie cool dad by proxy) are about the most important. Hence, cameras for indoor shots, and baby backpacks (but these are no use for more than 6 months yet, better with a front 'from birth' carrier) are by far the better 'toy'.
To be honest, once the in-laws etc have cleared out, about the best thing you could do is either go round for dinner, BRINGING DINNER WITH YOU (say you'll bring a pizza, but turn up with something that you've slaved over for ages, just make sure it's fine being microwaved from cold....), or find out a time you can go round and babysit (while baby is sleeping) while they go out for a quick meal or drink locally. We'd have felt bad leaving a new baby with a babysitter, but if a good friend had offered to keep 'phone watch' (preferably try and get someone with newborn experience in tow!) I think we'd have jumped at the chance.

[timehealsall]

If your friend likes football and his DP doesn't / doesn't support a different team how about a baby grow for the team your friend supports (most clubs seem to do them). However if they both support different teams can be a bit fractious ime. Please note doesn't mean life long allegiance to football or team involved.

Camera and sling all good ideas - with camera and babies think quick shutter speed is most important thing as little ones do not stay still for very long (avoids blur).

And the idea of providing some babysitting time as trusted friend is a brilliant one, though wouldn't push it if there seems to be a little worry (wait for baby number 2 and then watch them bite your arm off over a similar offer!)

[Orbinator]

Not sure if you are still taking suggestions, but my (less than broody) ex used to want EVERYTHING from this site - perhaps it is more what you are thinking about? Not my cup of tea tbh, but depending on your friend may raise a giggle.
www.tshirthell.com/funny-shirts/fuck-the-milk/?trck_&trck_referring_productid=499

[eeore]

A healthy baby/babies

[Lotkinsgonecurly]

DH bought me a pair of lovely earrings after DS was born and I bought him a Lego Milennium Falcon ( was huge) he loved it. Still has it and DS plays with it under supervision though he's now 7!

[moanymandy]

My do was given a Haines manual to babies and children. He is well into his cars and he thought it was funny. But reading through it it's a great book on everything from pregnancy to child development!

[RedDad]

If he's into his football then an easy option is his club shirt with Dad 11 (year of birth) on the back. I got one & loved it. My brother realising that the bloke can very easily be overlooked went totally manly & made me a hamper type thing with a few lagers, some bacon, sausages & eggs - different but thoughtful.

[Pudding2be]

A chance to get some sleep. I know that's what me and DP need right now

[Soundofhiswings]

Best gift I've got so far is matching hats for me and my daughter. And these aren't any old hats, these are hand knitted replica's of Jayne's wooly hat from the TV show Firefly.

Pics for reference:
www.saffasogood.com/wp-[img]content/uploads/2010/09/jayne_hat_1.jpg[/img]

[Soundofhiswings]

[img]www.saffasogood.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/jayne_hat_1.jpg[/img]

Fixed link

[JohnnyRod]

A mate of mine set up cctv for his kid instead of a baby monitor. What's that noise? look on the screen, nah they're just rawnging. Brilliant and gadget-mungous. Spawn-cam.