I am always amazed by your creativity here, so I'll ask you ladies! My mother-in-law is throwing a small baby shower for me next weekend. She has invited the family, including spouses and children (about 20 people). My husband and son will be there. My son is easy- a new LEGO set and he thinks he's won the lottery. I would like to have a gift for him there too. At my SIL's shower this summer, her husband received a "daddy survival kit" from his mother and my husband commented on how cute and thoughtful that was, so I would like to do something similar... can't remember what was in it, though!
So far, on my list...
Gatorade and snacks for the labor/delivery room
Advil
Magazine
All very boring and very practical... ideas please!
Thank you! Really great ideas... so far it looks like:
- 6 pack of red Gatorade
- Gum
- mini Advil and mini Tums
- Bottle of wine for after delivery (he better share)
- small brag book for photos
- little hand sanitizer
- I love Daddy onesie/outfit
- Clean t-shirt to change into (LOVE this idea!)
- snacks
- chapstick/ lotion
- Roll of quarters
- List of people/numbers
He's going to love this!
one thing that can be useful if he is a worrier at times like this is Tums.. I will think more on this as I walk the evil yelling girls to school!
you can also bring him a deck of cards.. if labor stalls you can play cards :) or he can play alone lol
get a "guy" diaper bag for him to carry when he has the baby alone. a backpack sort of deal with all the diapers, wipes etc he will need. along with a small address book or page that has the doctors number, the sitters number, your work number any numbers he might need. he will like to carry that a whole lot better than a pink teddybear type thing lol
My Step mom made one of these for my husband when both my sons were born-
a "Manly" little diaper bag
matching sports team onsie and t-shirt
Burp clothes made with team logos- or "manly" print
Good Night Moon- because it isnt too girly
and an "I love daddy" picture frame
Not really a survival bag but things that most dad just dont get.
There is a local liquor store here that carries M.'s Time Out Wine and Daddy's Time Out Wine.
The wine is one of my staple baby shower gifts - if the couples drink it. I do it as a little something extra to the regular gift. It has always gotten rave reviews and my friends say it tastes good too. My mom got me a bottle for mother's day a few years ago, but she drank the wine (since I don't drink) and filled it with bath salts and a candle topper.
I can only find it at ONE store where I live, so I'm not sure where all it is sold, but maybe you can find it online - if he drinks wine. The bottles aren't huge and are about $10 each.
We did a tool belt for my BIL at my sister's shower. We used a carpenter's belt (so he could use it later) in/on it we included inexpensive googles, duct tape, baby power, rattle, ear plugs, and a few other misc. items so it was both practical and a bit of a joke too. We also wrapped a box of chocolate "cigars". You can also get bubble gum ones.
Get him a set of scrubs (or a scrub top) to wear at the hospital that says "I'm the Daddy."
A roll of quarters for the vending machine
Camera
extra batteries
lip balm
face-wash towelettes
maybe some of those "Wisps" toothbrush thingys if he spends the night at the hospital with you
www.teethingbling.com - they mostly have women's bracelets/necklaces, but they also have neckties that squeak I think. If not for baby shower, his first Fathers Day.....
My husband loved a family membership to the local zoo. When he was on baby duty, he'd put our son in his carrier and spend a morning at the zoo. Now it's standing Father's Day present!
Amazon has great daddy gifts.
I googled Daddy survival kits:
There was alot of ideas that came up.. but here is one of the links. You can google it and see if you find something you like better.
This is such a neat idea!
http://sawyers-specialties.com/survival-kits/parents/new-...
This is cute also:
http://www.ohbabyshower.com/belt.html
What about gift certificates for Shutterfly or Netflix? Shutterfly to capture the memories on photos or photobooks and Netflix to give him (and you) something to watch at 3 am when the baby won't sleep ;-)
- cute baby t-shirt that says something like "I love Daddy"
- coffee mug and instant coffee (for those early mornings when he lets you sleep in
- restaurant gift cards
- a manly-looking diaper bag/backpack
I think the snacks alone would be enough to make my husband happy. What a nice gesture by you. Enjoy the shower!
Does he act like a kid at times? We enjoyed madlibs during our hospital time. Maybe throw a book of that in?
If you know what you are having get some of those bubble gum cigares for him to give out after the baby is born.
My SIL had a t-shirt made for my husband with our daughter's name on it. So of you know the sex and name of the baby you can do that. (for example, my husband's said "Carly's daddy!" You can also throw in diaper bag essentials like Desirim, diapers, wipes, pacifier holder, etc.
Large print Word Find booklet
Gum (for nerves when he's outside)
List of phone numbers (ppl to call)
Cards
Magazine (2 or 3)
Plaid throw
Writing Notepad
Proud New Dad pin
Crossword book (these are for the waiting)
New Long Sleeve Shirt he can wear in the hospital
#1 Dad keychain
Stainless Steel thermos
Daddy's Little Boy (or Girl) frame
Granola Bars
Hershey Chocolate Bar
Mini bag of pretzels
Dont forget a camera? I know many people have cell phones with cameras but in case the battery goes dead, or missing, or just in case he can have a spare.. get a disposable in there.
