Father's Day: Gift Ideas for New Dads

Father's Day is coming up. And there you are, with a baby in one arm and your phone in the other, looking for something that truly reflects what your partner has been going through since this little one arrived.

Not a tie. Not a generic gift set. Something that really says: I see you. I know what you do. And it matters.

At 23 Mai Paris, we think of families as a whole—not just moms. Here’s our selection of gifts designed for real new dads, in their everyday lives.

Before making a choice: think about what he really needs

The first few weeks and months of fatherhood are intense—physically, emotionally, and logistically. New dads often lack three essential things: time for themselves, recognition, and sleep.

A great Father's Day gift addresses one of these three aspects—or all three at once.

It’s not the monetary value that matters. It’s the thoughtfulness. A gift that shows you’ve really looked at him, really thought about him—not just the dad he’s become, but the man he used to be and still is.

Category 1: Experience gifts for couples

A romantic dinner

Perhaps the simplest and most powerful gift of all. Planning a real date night for the two of you—a restaurant, a movie, or a nighttime stroll through a neighborhood they used to love—says something essential: we’re still a couple, not just parents.

Logistically, breastfeeding requires a bit of planning: a bottle of milk pumped in advance, a trusted friend to help out for the evening—but the results are immediate and real. For you, too.

A weekend or a night away from home

More ambitious, but life-changing. Even just one night in a hotel for two is enough to recharge batteries you didn’t even know you had left. It’s a gift for him—and, honestly, for both of you.

A workshop or an activity he's always wanted to try

Cooking classes, an introduction to wine tasting, a pottery workshop, a rock-climbing session, a photography course—something that’s all his own, that has nothing to do with the baby, and that reminds him he has his own interests. This gift says: You’re still you, beyond being a dad.

Category 2: Wellness gifts to help you truly recharge

A massage or treatment at a spa

Sleepless nights take their toll on the back, shoulders, and neck. A good professional massage is often just what new dads need—even if they never ask for it. Treat him to one, and make sure he actually takes the time to enjoy it without feeling guilty.

A subscription to a meditation or sleep app

Headspace, Calm, and Petit Bambou—these tools have become true allies in getting through periods of intense fatigue. A free subscription sends a message: take care of yourself, too.

A workout session or gym access

If your partner was active before the baby came along but hasn’t had time for it since, give them a way out. A month’s gym membership, a few sessions with a trainer, or simply the explicit permission to reclaim that part of themselves. Sometimes, all we need is to feel like it’s okay to take some time for ourselves.

Category 3: Practical gifts to make a dad's daily life easier

A baby carrier or a baby sling

If you don't have one yet, this is one of the most life-changing gifts you can give a new dad. Babywearing creates a direct physical bond between him and the baby—something that's especially valuable when you're the one breastfeeding and he's looking for his own way to be close. And walking around with the baby in a carrier, hands-free, is a freedom that dads love.

A high-quality coffee or tea set

Because endless nights are often best spent with a few good cups of something. A beautiful coffee grinder, specialty coffees, a teapot, and rare teas—this gift says: I know you’re an early riser too, and you deserve something special to start your day.

A book that really speaks to him

Not a book about fatherhood if he doesn't feel like it. The latest novel by an author he loves. A beautiful photo book on a subject that fascinates him. A comic book he's been waiting for. Something to remind him that he still reads, that he still thinks, that he exists beyond diapers and bottles.

Category 4: Souvenirs to commemorate the occasion

A photo book of the first few months

The first few weeks fly by faster than we ever imagined. A photo book made with pictures taken since birth—even if they’re shaky, blurry, or taken at 3 a.m.—becomes a priceless treasure. Platforms like Cheerz, Fizzer, or Rosemood make it easy to create one in just a few hours.

A frame with a baby's handprint

A timeless classic. A frame featuring your baby’s handprint or footprint, along with their birth date, sitting on their desk, in their office, or on their nightstand. A daily reminder of what matters most to them.

A video montage of the first few months

If you have photos and videos piling up on your phone, putting together a simple video montage with music they love makes for a gift with rare emotional impact. Apps like iMovie, Canva, or Splice let you create one in less than an hour.

A framed letter

As we mentioned in our article on Father’s Day, a handwritten letter remains one of the most precious gifts you can give. When framed, it becomes a lasting keepsake—a message he can read again and again.

Category 5: Gifts for Dad and Baby Together

A subscription to cultural events

The zoo, the museum, the aquarium, puppet shows—our baby is still little, but the passes are good for a whole year. It’s a gift for him now, and a promise of time together later on.

A hiking baby carrier

For dads who love nature and adventure, a hiking baby carrier lets you take your baby out on the trails from the very first months. It’s a gift for him—and an invitation to create memories together (or as a family of three).

A professional family photo shoot

Selfies are nice, but a real professional outdoor photo shoot in natural light is a gift that will last a lifetime. There are many photographers who specialize in newborn family photo shoots, and they’re easy to find. And the photos you get have a completely different energy than those snapped in a hurry between feedings.

Summary table

What if the best gift is time?

Sometimes the most precious gift you can give a new dad is some real free time—free of guilt and without him having to make any plans.

Tell him: This Sunday, I’ll take care of everything. You can do whatever you want, on your own, without having to worry about a thing. Sometimes that’s more powerful than any object or experience.

Free time is the scarcest commodity in parenting, and making a point of giving it is a concrete and immediate act of love.

The 23 Mai Paris Event 23 Mai Paris We’re Thinking of You, Too

Father's Day is all about him. But you're going through a huge change too, and you deserve to feel good in your clothes during this time.

Our Breastfeeding t-shirts for festive mornings. Our Breastfeeding dressesfor romantic dinners when you’re still breastfeeding. Our nursing tank tops for family photo shoots when you want to feel both beautiful and free.

Because families are made up of two people, and both deserve to feel comfortable in their clothes. Discover our Moms & Dads collection for gift ideas designed for both of them.

The last word

No matter what gift you choose, what matters most is the thought behind it. The fact that you really thought about him—specifically—seeing him for who he is.

A new dad who feels seen, valued, and celebrated is a dad who wants to be there even more—for the baby, for you, and for the family you’re building together, day by day, feeding by feeding, night by night.

Check out our new collection and our affordable basics, and treat yourself to something that suits your style.