Gift Ideas for the New Dad

New moms get a lot of attention, and rightly so. They've just brought a child into the world and are working pretty much non-stop to care for the new little bundle of joy. The new dad kind of gets lost in the shuffle, so it's nice to celebrate him a little too. After all, he's likely very sleep-deprived and a little bewildered as well. Why not perk him up with a gift to celebrate his new role? If you're searching for a special gift for a deserving new dad, then check out this list of father favorites:

Photo mugs - When a new dad returns to work after the birth of his baby, everyone wants to see pictures. If you have any special pictures you've taken of the new baby, then have them put onto a photo mug for him to take to work. That way he'll always have photos at hand to show off and he'll be able look at his baby's sweet face whenever he's missing his little one. Plus it'll be a lot easier to remember to grab on the way out the door than the photo album.  

Daddy diaper bag - Diaper bags are often made in colors, patterns and styles that appeal to women. It probably goes without saying that guys don't usually love carrying around the typical diaper bag. The truth is, though, that there are times when dads do have to carry them. If you want to spare the new dad in your life the diaper bag shame, then look into getting him a diaper bag made especially for dudes. Some companies have begun to create diaper bags in guy-friendly colors and styles. Many of them don't even look like diaper bags at all.

Anything to do with capturing memories - As suggested on BabyCenter.com, new dads are sure to appreciate gifts that help them document the milestones in their new child's life. Gifts like a new camera, video camera, frames, albums or a gift certificate for a photography session are all good choices. Parents (and other family members) love to have pictures of the new baby, so giving dad a way to capture the memories is a great idea.

A night on the town - New parents need a break sometimes. If you're close enough to the parents that you think they'd let you look after their newborn for a couple of hours, then consider giving dad a gift certificate to a local restaurant and a homemade one good for free babysitting while he and mom get out of the house for a bit.      

A classy little reminder - For an extra special gift that adds a touch of class, think about having the new baby's name engraved on a set of cuff links (or money clip or business card holder, etc). While most guys don't wear cuff links on a regular basis, it's nice to have a set or two for dressy occasions and having such a meaningful set may just give him extra incentive to dress up more often.

Becoming a parent is a big adjustment for the whole family. New dads play an important role and it's nice to show that you recognize the contributions they're making. Whatever gift you decide on is sure to be thoroughly appreciated.