As the popularity of couples' baby showers and expectant daddy showers increase, more people are wondering "What's a great gift for a dad-to-be?" The answer lies in simplicity; what does the daddy love, what does the daddy need, and what makes the daddy's life with a newborn easier?

Becoming a dad doesn't mean a man stops loving all the activities he loved before fatherhood. A new trend in men's baby showers is to hold a male-only poker tournament for which the entrance fee is a case of diapers, wipes, or a can of formula for the dad-to-be. The guys enjoy an evening of fun and relaxation while helping their buddy stockpile supplies for the doody wars ahead. The same idea could be translated into a golf or bowling tournament.

The involved dads of today's generation require dad gear that isn't smattered with pink flowers or fuzzy teddy bears. A quality hip pack or shoulder bag in brown or black, called a Man Bag, can be found on websites catering to dads. These bags provide men with all the prerequisite pockets and compartments needed in a simple diaper bag without sacrificing his integrity on the altar of satin butterflies. Stocking the diaper bag before presenting the gift will tip him off to what, exactly, is supposed to be in a diaper bag to begin with.

Making a new dad's life easier with a well-timed and thoughtful gift when his newborn arrives will always garner appreciation and gratitude in the recipient. A large assortment of batteries will save the day on several occasions, preventing those late-night mad dashes to the convenience store when the swing won't swing or the music won't play or the seat won't bounce. First time dads, in particular, will be grateful for the "Emergency Diaper Change Kit" you created out of a Ziploc bag (to hold stuff and then to dispose of the dirty diaper), and single-use sizes of wipes, powder or lotion, disposable changing pad, and a diaper when he find himself at the grocery store with a diaper disaster and mom nowhere in sight.

Consider a gift of a "Cater to the New Mom" kit. It's easy, in the bleary-eyed exhaustion of new fatherhood, for him to forget that his partner is just as tired and still trying to heal from the physical trauma of the birth. Think of how great he'll look in his mate's eyes when he whips out some aromatherapy candles and foot massage oil to treat her with, and then leads her to the bathtub to soak in luxurious bubbles with a good book, and says, "I'll take the next shift, babe. You just relax for a while, and when you're good and ready for bed, come on out and we'll cuddle til we fall asleep."

The best gifts you can give to a dad-to-be are those things that acknowledge his new role, encourage his sufficiency to fulfill it, and help him remember to recognize and appreciate that he and his partner are in this together.