Gifting First-Time Fathers
As any new parent will tell you, being a dad can be the hardest and the most gratifying job in the world. From changing diapers to nighttime feedings, first-time fathers take on a variety of roles—so what better way to appreciate these efforts than only-in-NOLA gifts within the family budget?
To help you find the perfect gift for his first Father's Day, Where Y'at has curated a selection of New Orleans-inspired items from local shops—all under $100—to show how truly special every new and expectant father is.
"Being a new parent is most difficult and, yet, most rewarding," said Beverly Rafferty Caldwell, a mother of an 8-month-old son. "The house definitely got louder, and we do not always sleep through the night. But, it is fun." Caldwell plans to make her husband's first Father's Day truly unforgettable with a NOLA-themed gift from local clothing store Perlis.
Local Father's Day Gifts
Caldwell, who is director of marketing for perlis.com, revealed that the $20 Louisiana recipe apron, displaying New Orleans' iconic recipes, is the ideal gift for her husband, who enjoys grilling and making gumbo.
Another recommendation by Caldwell is the popular Mexican wedding shirt, or guayabera, for new or expecting fathers. This shirt, which costs $85, is embroidered with different designs and made of 50% cotton, 50% linen. "The guayabera shirt is super light and a popular gift item for fathers who like to go to Jazz Fest," Caldwell said. Perlis has four locations, including the Magazine Street store, a shop in Jax Brewery, in Mandeville, and in Baton Rouge.
The first year of fatherhood is filled with memories and milestones, and regular storytime sessions can help dads build a connection with their baby. "We carry a variety of dad-themed children's books that would be perfect for dads to read to young readers," Betsy Becker, owner of Zukababy at 701 Metairie Rd., said.
Becker highlighted the Babies Love Daddy: Lift-A-Flap Book at $7.99. "This charming book uses animals to play the parts of the families," Becker said. "The sturdy flaps will last for years of daddy 'n' me storytime."
If you're buying for a first-time father who is active and likes to exercise, Darlene Yetta, owner of Once Upon A Child in Metairie, suggests the jog stroller, currently priced at $90. First-time dads can maintain their fast-paced schedule while keeping their baby comfortable in this jog stroller. Other memorable gifts for Father's Day include the Men's Backpack Diaper Bag at $20, Front Baby Carrier at $15, or the assortment of dad-themed apparel ranging in price from $1.50 to $6.50. Owned and operated by local business owners, Once Upon A Child, located at 3122 Severn Ave., is your budget-friendly, one-stop shop for growing families.
For the new dad who is a weekend reveler, The Baby's Room, located at 1217 N. Causeway Blvd. in Metairie, showcases the Bevvy Stroller Basket Cooler, priced at $69. This little ice chest fits in a stroller basket, which is ideal for transporting drinks to outdoor events, parades, and parties. The Baby's Room, a local small business offering all things baby, also sells customized beer mugs for expecting fathers at $24.99.
For the new dad who celebrates New Orleans and everything jazz, the $52 Fest Shirt Door Hanger from local art and gift store Home Malone ranks at the top of the list. This door hanger, featuring festival shirt patterns and designed by local artist Kristin Malone, is waterproof and ready to hang indoors or outdoors. Another especially thoughtful dad gift from Home Malone includes custom-designed, leather-wrapped lowball glasses for just $29. Home Malone has two locations—629 N. Carrollton Ave. in Mid-City and 4610 Magazine St. in the Uptown area.
For the first-time father who loves history, the WWII Bombers Planes Aloha Shirt, priced at $60, is a wise choice available at the National WWII Museum Store at 945 Magazine St. The museum's $75 individual membership for Father's Day can also be the ultimate gift that keeps on giving.
For the stylish new dad, check out the Red Lantern, a small business at 824 Royal St. that collaborates with local designers. Appealing to new and expecting fathers who are fashionable and funky, their wide range of funny and witty socks will provide comic relief to any first-time dad. Reasonably priced at $14.95, you can browse their dad-themed socks, including the "Here Comes Cool Dad" and "The Rad Dad" designs, for your Father's Day gift.
Comfort is the name of the game for the sporty first-time dad who is elbow-deep in spit-up and dirty diapers. Virtually every item at Dirty Coast, located at 5415 Magazine St. and in the French Quarter at 630 Chartres St., offers a variety of casual apparel for new dads. Owned by locals, Dirty Coast takes pride in their stand-out NOLA X DAD Hat by 47' Brands at $28, as well as their World's Best Jazz Dad Koozie at $8.
Of course, after rocking the baby for hours and handling their portable crib, a new father may be in need of some R&R. Suggested by Matt Brown, general manager of Canal Place, consider a cozy pajama set in cotton herringbone priced at $98 from J.Crew in Canal Place. He added that new dads and dads-to-be may also enjoy something to make them smell good, such as the Royall Rugby cologne priced at $55 from Brooks Brothers.
With Father's Day approaching, first-time fathers will appreciate gifts that offer a moment of respite in their busy, hands-on lives. Whether it's a thoughtful book, a festive shirt, or a pair of funny socks, these gifts under $100 provide a chance to celebrate the day dedicated to new and expecting fathers.
