First Father's Day Gifts

His first Father’s Day is one he’ll likely never forget. From building the crib to changing diapers, first-time dads deserve to be celebrated. Show your husband how much you appreciate everything he does for you and your little family, send a cute gift from baby or tell your son how proud you are of the dad he’s become with a great first Father’s Day gift.

If you’re wondering, what do new dads want for Father's Day, then you’re in the right place. We’re here to lend some inspiration with our comprehensive list of meaningful Father's Day gift ideas for a first-time dad.

Dad Journal

So maybe he’s not a regular journal-writer, but he might like the idea of having a place to document memories as his child grows and write messages to his son or daughter. (It also makes an excellent keepsake for when the child is older.)

Find a sturdy, well-made notebook or journal and pair it with a nice pen or his favorite writing utensil. In a greeting card or on the cover page, include a message that encourages him to jot down funny moments and happy memories as a first-time dad. He’ll appreciate the thought of having something to look back on and eventually give to the child.

Custom Song

Celebrate a first Father’s Day in a noteworthy way by giving him a custom song from Songfinch! Songfinch creates studio-quality, original songs composed by top musicians, turning your memories and stories into a heartfelt melody. Whether it’s a song that captures the joy of first-time fatherhood, expresses the bond between a dad and his child, or highlights other special moments, Songfinch can bring those emotions to life through music. When you include your custom song in an American Greetings ecard, it will make your first Father’s Day gift even more memorable. Take your gift-giving to the next level and make this first Father’s Day truly unforgettable with Songfinch!

Shadow Box

There’s no better first Father’s Day present than one that brings him back to the very day he became a dad.

Gather mementos from the day of birth, such as the baby’s hospital bracelet, a hat, an ultrasound photo or a photo of dad and baby. Find a way to creatively display the items in a shadow box frame (one with a built-in corkboard makes pinning items easy) and pair with a Father’s Day card.

Celebrity Cameo

Introducing Cameo for an unforgettable first Father’s Day gift! Choose from thousands of stars — actors, influencers, singers and more — to make a video message just for him. You provide the details, and your celeb will create a unique message within days. Then send the surprise in an American Greetings card online! Let a personalized Cameo greeting add a touch of celebrity magic to his day!

Professional Photoshoot

He probably already has a camera roll full of photos of his little one—dad-and-baby selfies included. But no matter how fancy smartphone cameras are these days, nothing quite compares to a professional photo.

This could go one of two ways: you could book a future session with a photographer for a “Dad and son/daughter” shoot. This way he’ll have professional photos of him with his kid. You could also surprise him by shooting child-only photos in advance.

In the latter option, the child can pose with dad-specific signs or items. Think: “I love you, Dad!” signs or wooden blocks. Either of these first Father's Day gift ideas results in a keepsake to treasure. Plus, professionally shot photos are great for creating personalized gifts such as, blankets, mousepads and mugs. Win-win!

“Open When" Cards

Every parent questions themselves and needs a little pick-me-up sometimes — first-time dads are no exception. “Open when” cards are the Father's Day gifts that keep on giving.

Buy at least a handful of greeting cards for different occasions. For example, cards that say “you’re doing great,” “I love you” cards, funny cards and thank you cards. On the inside, write a message that you think he’d love to see.

Perhaps he’s had a bad day and you want to remind him that you appreciate everything he does as a father. What would you say to him? On the envelope, write “open when you’ve had a bad day.”

Repeat this for the remaining cards, labeling the envelopes with a different “open when.” Bind all the cards with a ribbon and place into a gift bag.

Day Off

Whether he’s helped with midnight feedings, been on diaper duty or works hard to provide for the family, we’ll bet there’s a good chance he needs a day off. Give him a day other than Father’s Day to relax, unwind and enjoy time with the little one.

You could even take this one step further by making “vouchers” he can use in the future. Maybe that’s offering to do the laundry, the dishes or another chore that’s usually designated to him. Or maybe it’s letting him have control of the remote for an entire weekend.

Digital Gift Card

In a rush? No time to visit stores in search of the perfect gift? Pair a digital gift card with a personalized Father’s Day ecard, for fast delivery to the recipient. Simply select the retailer you’d like to purchase a gift card from then enter the name and email of the recipient and send. If you’re an American Greetings member you only pay the amount of the egift card. We also have a “checkout as guest” option for a $1.99 fee. Browse our selection of retailers and restaurants to choose from, including Nike, Starbucks, Fandango, Target and more!

No matter what you decide to give dad on his first Father’s Day, remember to tell him how much he matters. Of course, you’ll value him every Father’s Day, but this one he’ll remember for years to come.