Gifting New Parents
I originally wrote this list in 2020 for gifting new parents after our friends had a new baby during COVID and then three years later, I realized, new parents are in their own form of quarantine - with or without a global pandemic. As a new parent myself, I feel so lucky that were were gifted so many incredible items from friends and family, especially living far away from them. This list has some fun ideas with ways to take care of the newest parents in your life. The most important thing to give is love and check-ins - even if those texts go unanswered for days!
Keep them fed and caffeinated
Coffee Subscription like Trade
DoorDash, UberEats or Postmates Gift Card
Spoonful of Comfort has the most incredible new parents soup meals that you can customize and send straight to their door. I just recently discovered Boarderie, which allows you to send cheese and charcuterie boards to people! We also loved getting Harry & David and Omaha Steaks have great pre-packaged items you can order
Cold brew concentrate to bring the barista into their homes
Total Wine gift cards because they do delivery too!
Be their personal Instacart - Instruct them to text you their grocery list, so you can go shopping for them. They can venmo you for whatever you spend and not have to worry about leaving the house or paying any additional fees or waiting too long for their groceries.
photo from Trade.com
Meal Train - This is a great way to show your love for the new parents! While we want to ensure they are fed, we also do not want to overwhelm them with food and leave them with no room in the fridge. Alongside an entree, maybe think of delivering them some bread or items that do not need to be refrigerated. My brother recently made some meals for his daughter’s friend and included some encouraging words with the meals for when the parents opened up the food. Depending on their living situation, you might have to get a little creative with drop off/storage. I write that because our friends who are expecting live on the 5th floor of an apartment building in San Francisco, so logistics will look slightly different for them.
Help Them Document
Baby’s First Year Album can help you keep track of all the fun photos and milestones for their first year!
Mom’s Five Minute Memory Journal for mom (and dad!) to jot down all sorts of quick memories being made
iPhone/iPad Tripod Stand - In order to get a non-selfie family photo of three, this phone tripod would allow for some impromptu photo shoots at home. They are likely going to be on a lot of video calls as everyone gets their chance to virtually meet their newest family member!
Turn Their Home Into a Sanctuary
Keep them cozy with super comfortable socks and a heated blanket heated blanket
I am such a sucker for candles, but with a new baby, new parents do not need anything else to think about. This floral bouquet diffuser will allow them to enjoy a beautiful fragrance without worrying if they blew out the candle or not.
photo from Anthropologie
Bring the Spa Home
Bath robe - UGG has the most comfortable bath robes
Under Eye Masks are easy to throw on doing anything at home while feeling a little more refreshed
Enable them to have a little escape and enjoy bath time with postpartum bath salts, all-natural bath fizz, and bubble bath
Just For Dad
New Dad Socks on Etsy
New cigars so he can look forward to a celebratory smoke with everyone when they are able to be together
Help him embrace his new title with this #dadlife mug
Get ready for… dad jokes! Help keep them in line with this Dad Joke button
Jimmy Fallon’s book Your Baby’s First Name Will Be DADA is definitely a favorite for the new dads
Just For Mom
Pipette Belly Oil or BurtsBees Mama Bee Belly Butter to keep her skin feeling nourished
Adorable eye mask like this this one from Antho
Postpartum Support Tea can provide her some comfort
Lactation Cookies are a delicious treat to help with milk production
Start Spoiling Her with Special Jewelry! I love the idea of initial necklace to celebrate her new favorite letter of the alphabet or there are a lot of name necklaces on Etsy
New Mama Box - BoxFox does it for you! Get this prepackaged box or put together a custom mix of goodies for her!
photo from Anthropologie
I hope these ideas help you as you think of what to get the newest parents in your life! They are experiencing a wild and special time in their life where they feel so much love for this new baby, but also a whole different level of support and loneliness wrapped together. Never underestimate the power of dropping off or ordering some essentials such as diapers, wipes or formula to their house.
There are links in this post that allow me to get a commission should you choose to purchase through them. I only post about products I love and trust. This site contains affiliate links to products.