Choosing the perfect gift for a new mom isn’t always easy. Often, well-meaning gift-givers deliver gifts that are more for the baby than for the mother herself. While these gifts are certainly appreciated, many moms end up feeling overlooked in the days and weeks following the delivery of their precious little one.
Being a new mom is overwhelming. It’s stressful and scary and downright exhausting. By choosing the right gift for the new mom in your life, you can add a little brightness to her day and maybe even make her life a little bit easier. Most moms will be grateful for nearly anything you give them, but certain gift options are more popular than others. Here are a few of our top picks for the most appreciated gifts for new moms.
The Gift of Self-Care
Ask any new mom when she last indulged in a facial treatment, had a massage or even took a shower, and she’ll probably have to stop and think for a moment before giving you an answer. She may not even remember how long it’s been.
Having a brand-new tiny human who is entirely dependent on you makes it feel like there is no time for self-care. Most mothers dive so fully into their new roles as parents that they completely forget about caring for themselves. Self-care is incredibly important, though, and by encouraging the new mom in your life to take care of herself, you can help her better survive the rigors of motherhood.
There are plenty of ways to give the new mom in your life the gift of self-care. Buy her a gift certificate for a massage or mani-pedi, and offer to watch the new little one while she is out. If you don’t think she would feel comfortable going out for some much-needed pampering, buy her some goodies to help her pamper herself at home. Comfy jammies, an aromatic candle, face masks and fuzzy socks are all great options.
Meal Delivery Kit
Right now, the new mom is probably spending a lot more time in the nursery than she is spending in the kitchen. Even if she’s a bit of a foodie, she probably hasn’t felt like she’s had time to fire up the stove and prepare her favorite meals from scratch. And she might be getting tired of all the casseroles that have been dropped off by well-meaning friends and family members.
Save her some time, reignite her love of cooking and help her enjoy tasty and nutritious home-cooked meals by enrolling her in a meal delivery service. Services like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh deliver pre-measured ingredients and recipes for all sorts of taste bud-tantalizing dishes. The instructions are easy to follow, and these kits are great ways to help new parents enjoy meals other than leftovers and take-out. Many of these services allow you to enroll someone in a gift subscription. If you aren’t sure whether the timing is right, though, you may also be able to order a gift certificate that can be redeemed at the recipient’s convenience.
Gifts that Capture Precious Memories
Right now, the new mom in your life is probably wondering how she is going to make it through the day. She’s likely exhausted and has no idea how she is going to manage to care for another human being for (at least) the next 18 years.
A few months or years from now, though, she’ll be wondering where this time went. When her precious bundle of joy transforms from a helpless infant into a toddler, a child and eventually a teen and adult, she’ll long for those long, sleepless nights and all the joys and sorrows of being a new parent.
While you can’t bring back this time in your loved one’s life, you can give her a gift that will help her preserve the memories. There are all sorts of wonderful and thoughtful gifts that are excellent for new mothers. Something as simple as a photo book filled with images from the baby’s first few weeks or months will certainly be treasured. You could also go with something like a coffee mug with baby’s photo (what new mom doesn’t need coffee?!), a star chart from the day the baby was born or all sorts of creative gifts.
Gifts that Make Her Life Easier
Like we’ve already said, life as a new mom is hard. Anything you can do to make her life even just a tiny bit easier is sure to be appreciated more than you could ever imagine. If your funds are limited, you can simplify her life by offering to come over and do some laundry or housework. You could also prepare a nice homecooked meal.
While the new mom probably received plenty of baby supplies at her shower, it never hurts to give her things like wholesale onesies. Many new parents underestimate just how many outfits a newborn, infant or toddler can go through in a single day. Order baby onesies in bulk in a wide range of sizes and you can significantly reduce the time spent doing laundry throughout the first few years of the child’s life (and save energy!). What mom wouldn’t love that?
Conclusion
When shopping for a gift for a new mom, remember to consider her wants and needs–not just the babies. New mothers often feel overlooked, and while they appreciate toys and trinkets for their little ones, they would love to receive something that is just for them or something that will make their hectic lives a bit easier.
The gift ideas listed above are just a few of the many, many options. Get creative and you are sure to come up with something that is perfect for the special mom in your own life.
