Regular readers will know from my last post about how to stay sane in the first six months of motherhood that I have two friends who are expecting babies this month. Which begs the question: what’s the perfect gift for a new mum?
I’ve always been inclined to buy something for the mum, or the mum and the baby, rather than just the baby, because I always think mum deserves something too.
Items I’ve given and received in the past include eye wrinkle cream, tea bags for nursing mums (such a thing does indeed exist!) and the sort of chocolate you wouldn’t buy for yourself, which I think are personal and thoughtful gifts (assuming you’re not offended by someone giving you wrinkle cream, of course!)
I don’t really see the point of more frivolous presents because they’re likely to be put away for ‘another day’ and never see the light of day again. I think it’s far better to go down the practical route and buy something she will really use and need, such as:
1. Skincare. Treat her to something she might not buy herself like luxury face cream or bubble bath. Something that will make her feel pampered and special, like she’s important too.
2. Luxury chocolate. I always think the best gifts are things you wouldn’t buy for yourself, and although luxury chocolate might be seen as frivolous it’s bound to be essential at some point in those first few weeks! Think Godiva or Choccywoccydoodah.
3. A nappy cake. There are some brilliant creations out there, from straight forward nappy cakes to bath time cakes (containing everything for bath time) and wardrobe cakes (containing clothes). Baby Gift Box has a great range and will also put together baskets and hampers.
4. Trumpette socks (for the baby, not the mum!) I adore Trumpette and have bought more boxes of these socks than I care to count. The girls’ ones come in styles including Mary Jane shoes and ballet pumps, and the boys’ ones come in styles including trainers and loafers. They’re just too cute, and what’s more they come in a beautiful little box with inner wrapping.
5. Muslin squares. Forget bog standard white muslins – there are some fabulous designs out there which are pricier than plain white ones and therefore another thing she might not buy herself. JoJo Maman Bebe does some gorgeous ones, as does Faye & Lou.
6. Bubbles. And I don’t mean for the bath. Anyone who walked through the door armed with a bottle of fizz after I had BB and Little B was welcome any time.
What was the best present you received after becoming a parent? Did you appreciate it if someone gave you something for you instead of the baby?
This post is published in partnership with Mediabuzzer.
Linking up with…
These are all great ideas. I would love someone to keep me these when baby number 2 arrives, especially the chocolates and the wine. I think practical things are the best gifts, o was so grateful for all the bath stuff/nappies people bought my when Leo was born, you can never have enough of those things xx #picknmix
I think muslin squares make great gifts, especially all the gorgeous coloured and patterned ones!
What a great collection of ideas. I think the hot hoc is a perfect gift for a new mum and a must have when you are pinned to the sofa. I am trying to think what was the best present I received, I don’t think I was given anything for me *sobs*, they were all for baby. I would have liked a pushing present – haha. For baby it probably was really nice muslin squares #thelist
I’d have loved push presents too. I mentioned it to Misery Guts once and he looked at me blankly…
Lovely ideas here and I totally agree, practical presents are the way forward! #TheList
I’ve always found the practical presents the best!
Great ideas! I received a few vouchers for home delivered meals after my babies came – priceless!!
#thelist
That’s a great idea – I might steal that one too!
Great ideas! I always make a little basket up for my mummy friends that I think are helpful for those first few days/weeks. But I do also but something for their baby too because I just love buying for babies x #TheList
I’ve always loved it when I’ve received baskets or hampers with lots of different things inx
Great ideas. Another fab idea I’ve heard is to give a gift voucher for Costa or Starbucks. That way mum can have an excuse to leave the house in those first weeks and treat herself to a nice hot drink! #TheList
That’s a really good idea – I might steal that one!!
My favourite present was flowers and magazines. I’d love everything on your list here, it’s so thoughtful when people buy something that we will actually use and put a little thought into it. Mum’s deserve a little prezzie too because they bought the wonderful life into the world x #thelist
That’s what I think too – don’t forget the mums!
Two friends bought sheepskin rugs which we still use years later next to bed. My OH first inlaws sent from Canada gorgeous organic baby flannels and little ladybird leather slippers. Will never forget those. Sweet post 🙂 Jo x
They sound like really unique and special gifts! And personal too x
Brilliant choices, I think everyone often forgets the parents and just buys baby clothes, which people end up with stacks of. Lovely to treat the parents as well i reckon.
Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
Exactly – I agree!
I always buy a gift for the mum too. Usually some chocolate and some beauty stuff. Lovely ideas. Thanks for linking to #picknmix
Somehow chocolate tastes so much better when you’ve just given birth – I’ve had chocolate both times and it was divine!
[…] article was written by crummymummy1 from Confessions of a Crummy Mummy and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher […]