It definitely seems this is a popular time of the year to be having babies. The waiting room at my midwife clinic is always packed, and everyone I seem to meet has a friend/ sister / partner due in the next few weeks. Choosing a Christmas present for someone who’s just had a baby, much like a mum-to-be can be a bit tricky. Chances are a new mum is in a bit of a post baby fuzz, and is struggling a bit with their identity now they have a new little person in their life who takes up pretty much 100% of their time / attention.
My main tips for picking new mum Christmas gifts would be:
- Keep it all about her – it’s so easy to be swayed by adorable baby products and lavish focus on the new arrival, but having even the smallest of treats for herself will make a new mum feel appreciated and more like herself which every woman needs at that moment in her life
- Pick things which make life easier rather than adding logistical challenges. For example if you get a voucher for a treatment, offer to look after the baby while she does it, taking a possible hurdle away from the situation. The hour on her own will be way more appreciated than the treatment itself!
- It’s even less about money than any other year – The below are all gifts but an alternative is to think about how to get her out and about a bit more. Perhaps offer to babysit one evening so she can pop out for an hour or two locally (if she’s breastfeeding especially she won’t want to go far) with her partner, or even offer to start popping over once a fortnight to take her out for a drink while her partner picks up the parenting baton. Trust me this adult time is invaluable, and will be valued way more than any present!!
If you are looking for a more straightforward gift though, here’s my top picks for new mums…
Food glorious food… New mum-hood is bloody exhausting, and to get you through, especially if you’re breastfeeding, you’ll definitely be consuming more calories so a foodie gift is a great idea for a new mum, even if you never would have considered getting something similar before. And if it makes her life easier too, then it’s an even bigger win!
Kids use a lot of stuff, it’s almost impossible to travel light with a little one, and it’s easy to fall in to the purely ‘practical/functional’ trap when you have a new baby. So why not buy her a fabulous bag, or clutch if you’re not looking to spend that much, which helps her feel more like her than the stereotypical mum bag lady.
Memory books are a go-to gift when a baby arrives but there are options which are a bit more exciting for mum, as well as being useful and functional.
What woman doesn’t love jewellery?? It might seem like an obvious choice any year, but if a new mum is stuck in a mum uniform, and not feeling herself, then adding some great jewellery can be the perfect way to make her feel better. You don’t need to spend a fortune either as chances are with a grabby baby she won’t want to wear something too expensive.
Chances are any mum to be is spending a hell of a lot of time at home, possibly in her pyjamas. You can start to feel pretty grotty, so why not treat her to some special nightwear which will make her feel better about that. Being stuck under a newborn can be gruelling, but if you’re in a fabulous robe, you might care a little less.
If your friend / loved one is breastfeeding, then breastfeeding-friendly clothes is a super thoughtful gift this Christmas. Sure she won’t be wearing it forever, but I know from experience she’ll appreciate the thought, and not having to spend money buying herself any more nursing gear. A friend of mine did this for my birthday a few months after my son was born, and it was just the sweetest thing, really showed appreciation for where I was at the time.
Finally always on my list of presents is a gift box. It’s a really great way to choose something thoughtful and personal but someone else has done a lot of the work for you…
