Gift(s) For New Mom and Dad?

Question

Hi! I'm pretty close friends with a couple (in their early 30's) that is expecting their first child in a few weeks. It's a boy (as far as everyone knows). I think it would be better to get something for each of them as opposed to one gift for both of them. I was thinking about getting The Dangerous Book For Boys for him, although it probably won't be immediately useful for him/his son, I think it would see use in the future when the kid's older. From what I've seen of it, it seems like a good book for a traditional/outdoors type like my friend. I'm not really sure what to get his wife though, but I feel I should get her something. It's not that I don't know them well, it's just been a long time since anyone I know has had a baby and I don't want to get them something corny and generic. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

*By the way I'm a 22-year old dude, so please keep the suggestions "hetero." :) Thanks again.

Answer 1

for dad, the book is an awesome idea and for mom, gift certificate to a spa or something (as a mother-to-be myself that is def what i would want after i give birth) and for baby education lasts forever, anything educational for baby is a plus!!! (books, music, help start that college fund) good luck!!

Answer 2

Here are some of my favorite ideas:

When I was a new parent I bought a medium weight poncho that I LOVED. It fit my new figure, and was a stylish cover-up for nursing (you won't need to tell her that--being a guy and all--but she will probably find that use for it on her own if she's nursing--make sure to buy one that is NOT see-though and that is washable, for that purpose).

Many people bring over a meal for new parents. You can ask if you can do this for them, and either cook it yourself or find out what their favorite restaurant is and order out for them. Protocal on this is usually that you visit for just a few minutes and then leave it for them to eat by themselves.

Vitamin records ( www.vitaminrecords.com ) has classical instrumental versions of various modern artists (Beach Boys, Madonna, Matchbox 20...almost anything). Since it's supposed to be stimulating for the baby to listen to classical music, this is a way they can listen to their favorite tunes and do something for the baby at the same time.

Hope you don't mind if I suggest a few things that I design as well. I sell printed gifts through several online retailers--and have several good designs for new parents.

This keepsake box is great for little baby keepsakes (like the hospital wrist-bands and first baby cap)--and I can personalize it with the baby name and birthdate (or just about anything else you'ld like):
http://www.cafepress.com/tribaltoes.132032522

If you have a photo of their new baby you can also make one with a picture of their baby at www.cafepress.com ...or search for other designs they might like (lots of artists contribute there).

I have some fun parent designs here--I think the Sleep Deprived Parent would be particularly appropriate (a t-shirt or a mug would make a good gift):
http://galesgifts.windhavenweb.com/giggles.html

I have another shop with a lot of those designs that has cheeper prices, but they ship from overseas so shipping can take up to 3 weeks:
http://www.artscafe.com/scribbleprints

You can also search under new parent, new mom, new dad, or new baby on the following sites and find lots of good stuff:
www.zazzle.com (most on this site can be personalized)
www.printfection.com (mostly t-shirts)
www.cafepress.com

Answer 3

I think the book for the dad is a great idea. Maybe you should get a book for the mom as well, I recommend the book "On Becoming Baby Wise" as it was very helpful to me with my daughter and I as I was a nursing mom who had a cranky baby! or something that I think was a great gift was nice blankets for all seasons, My summer baby didn't have many plain light weight cotton blankets and it stays hot here in MO until October, so those receving blankets were sometimes too hot. Aslo a pacifier pod and matching daiper bag that is trendy.


*I'm a 23 year old mom of 1*

Answer 4

The book sounds great for the Dad, maybe you can also get a book for the Mom too, there are really good books on nutrition for the first couple years of their childs life and there are also books that are geared for raising boys in general. A gift certificate for some kind of pampering like a pedicure is also nice. You sound very sweet for thinking of your friends.

Answer 5

This sounds like a great idea for the father to be.

Hummm, a hetero suggestion. I find that very funny, but I do understand what you mean. A nursing nightgown wouldn't be approperate for you to get the mom to be.

If you wanted to keep up with the books...... Chicken soup for the new mom is a great book.

New moms can use things to pamper themselves, as well as the baby. Maybe you could get her a gift certificate for a pedicure?

A great CD with lullabyes would be great as well. I was given the CD Miracle by Celine Dion. I LOVED it!

Whatever you decide on, She will be happy you though of them. New mom's like corny things. Something about the child birth screws with their mental stability, and that is how it should be! This is why we forget about the pain of labor!

Good Luck

Answer 6

How about going to a store that sells baby items and seeing if they do a gift voucher? You could put a voucher in the card. People usually get wine for the mothers, but if they are breast feeding they usually won't be able to drink any!

Mostly I stick to buying something for the baby, but for my friend when she had her last little arrival I bought her bath stuff, like aromatherapy oils and bubble bath etc. A nice way to unwind after the birth!

Answer 7

Get them gift certificates to a nicer pizza place, or restaurant that delivers. The last thing they will want to be doing with a new baby is cooking and cleaning up, or having much time to read anymore.

Also D and C batteries always come in handy.

That CD post below is good, go on ITunes imix and search on baby songs, kids songs, parent, etc, and make one with fun new bands, one for mom (maybe lullabies), one for dad (fun songs).

Here are some bands (there are much better bands now that do adult music)
Elizabeth Mitchell and Lisa Loeb
Anything from Jacks Big Music Show
Dan Zanes
They Might be Giants
also songs like the beach boys, jimmy buffett, etc are fun for babies

Answer 8

For her get her some vouchers for having her hair done, massages, buy her some beauty products as she will want to be pampered after giving birth.

Him get him some dvds as he will be stuck in the house for a little while looking after mum and baby. Or a magazine subscription. Good luck remember the thought that counts

Answer 9

Purchase them a Professional Photo Package so they can have professional pictures done of them and their newborn.

Anyway, The book is a nice gift. Get the mom a baby bumbo seat. This is the second best gift (besides the photos) that I loved and was very useful.

Or if you wanted to get them both books, you can get mom the Yoga for Babies book. I have this too and we love it.

Answer 10

The greatest gift my husband and I ever got was the gift of "I'll babysit for free for you." After our first child was born, 3 different people simply offered to babysit for free while we went out for some alone time! It was SO nice. If you don't mind babysitting the cute new rugrat, I'm sure the parents would love you for it. Best of luck!