I had another thought- maybe you could ask him to pick out one very special thing for the baby from him. That is his job to get and then it can become a heirloom of some sort. "My grandpa got this for me when I was a baby and now I'm using it for my child". It doesn't have to be anything big- maybe a special wooden toy, blanket, doll, etc. That might help him feel more involved in the baby-thing (guys get kind of pushed to the side in all the planning) and help with the "baby is getting nothing new" syndrome.

Sirrahned did that for Misha- he made her a beautiful cradle that I am planning on keeping for all the babies. Once we outgrow babies, they have a toy for their dolls. When my kids start having kids, we'll pass the cradle around to be used for my grandbabies.

Misha came home from the hospital in a blanket that her Dad's grandma made for him. I loved the thought and love that went into that one blanket and that her great-grandchild got use out of it.