Holiday gift ideas for pregnant women – and some presents to avoid
December 4, 2018
Special holidays often become more exciting when a friend or loved one is expecting a new baby. But before you rush to buy cute newborn outfits or fancy toys, think about a gift that will be useful for the new mom after the baby arrives.
Especially toward the end of pregnancy, the focus tends to shift to the new baby, and the needs of moms-to-be get lost in the holiday hustle and bustle. This year, I visited with my Ob/Gyn colleagues to compile a list of perfect presents for new and expecting moms – and a few gifts to avoid altogether.
Perfect presents
- Bath and body products: Lotions and bath gels can help a pregnant friend relax and feel beautiful. Consider giving her a favorite scent or brand, or splurge for one that you know she wants to try but has held back.
- Experiences: Rather than more stuff, many women like activities with loved ones, such as nice dinners or fun getaways. Consider planning a weekend or day trip with a few low-key activities that are appropriate for pregnancy and match her preferences.
- Help at home: More than 75 percent of U.S. moms with children under 18 work full-time, so gifts to help a new mother take a load off are likely to be appreciated. Offer to watch her older children (or the new baby) or cook meals for the family, or purchase a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant or grocery store. Many new moms also appreciate short-term housekeeping services.
- Pampering: Make her holiday special with spa treatment gift certificates for massages, pedicures, or hair styling at her favorite salon. Individual yoga instruction might be a fun and unique idea as well, if your friend is into wellness.
- Pregnancy photography session: Many women feel uncomfortable and not particularly picture-worthy in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. But maternity photographers can capture precious memories that an expecting mom can cherish long after the baby arrives.
- Wardrobe accessories: Soft, colorful scarves and wraps can spice up a friend’s go-to maternity ensemble, and stylish pieces such as bags and gloves can add a pop of glamour for a girl’s night out.
“Special holidays often become more exciting when a friend or loved one is expecting a new baby. But before you rush to buy cute newborn outfits or fancy toys, think about a gift that will be useful for the new mom after the baby arrives.”
Potentially awkward purchases
- Alcohol: A nice bottle of wine or champagne might sound like a fun, celebratory gift, but alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix, so please wait to bust out the bubbly until after the baby arrives.
- Clothing, shoes, and slippers: Pregnancy changes a woman’s body, and some changes, such as shoe size, might last long after the baby arrives. If you want to go this route, opt for flowing lounge clothes she can wear when she just wants to be comfy.
- Fitness gifts: You know your friend is lovely, but she might be concerned about how she looks now or whether she can lose the weight she gained during pregnancy. Avoid adding to any self-image anxiety by skipping this gift idea.
- Gift certificates for placenta encapsulation: Enough said.
- Jewelry: We have good reasons for bypassing bling. Hand swelling can make rings and bracelets a little snug, and necklaces can easily be broken by the flailing hands of babies. These are among the many reasons we are not fans of trendy umbilical cord jewelry.
The pregnant woman in your life deserves to enjoy a fun holiday. We hope this list will help you choose a gift that helps express how much you care about her and says you’ll be there for her when her new addition arrives.
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