Gift Ideas for the Expectant Mother

Don't know what to get the expectant mother in your family or your friend who will be delivering soon? There are many more great gift ideas for a baby shower or new mom than the usual baby clothing, bibs, and bottles. Take a look at the five we have come up with.

New moms are typically overwhelmed and exhausted. Sleep can be scarce and she may be too tired or not have much time to clean or make meals. By ordering a house cleaning service to drop by and make the rounds a few times a week, or even once a week to do deep cleaning, you can really take the load off a new moms shoulders.

Another great gift idea is a gift card to a spa or beauty salon. A new mom who just completed nine long months of pregnancy would probably love some pampering and maybe even a new look. If you are a close friend or relative then go with her and make it into a girls day out with lunch, a shopping trip, or a movie to round off your day. You can still use this as a baby shower gift just make sure she knows of your plans when you give her the gift card.

If a day at the spa or a house cleaning service are a bit out of your price range then a gift card to a nice restaurant and an offer to baby sit will most likely be just a refreshing when the time comes to use it. Many new moms have so little time to themselves or time alone with their spouse. After the baby is a few months old a nice quite night out together might be just what they need.

A lawn stork is a wonderful way to announce the arrival of a new little bundle of joy. Lawn storks are wooden storks that are about 4 to 5 feet tall that announce the joyous occasion with a sign that may include the baby's name, birth day, and birth weight. You can have in adorned in pink or blue bows or both for boy/girl twins. All you have to do is order the sign and the company will drive over, post it in the yard, and take it back down after you rental period has expired. The actual cost varies from company, place of residence, and how far the company representative has to travel, but will usually run you between $50-$70 for a week long rental. You will need to go with a local company and can usually find one in the yellow pages.

Gift baskets can be better than you think if you choose the right one. The ideal would be a custom made basket, you can put one together yourself or search for one online. If your only choice is a pre-made basket then try and choose one that strays from the traditional baby gift items.

A recent spin on the traditional gift baskets are diaper cakes. Just in case you haven't seen one, diaper cakes are individual diapers stacked in the form of a layered cake (think wedding cake) with goodies such as pacifiers, shampoo, and mini packages of wipes hidden throughout. They are adorable and usually include essential newborn items that a parent may not necessarily receive at their shower. As with traditional gift baskets, diaper cakes can be found online or you can try making one yourself.

No matter what type of gift you choose there are few important guidelines to keep in mind when looking for gifts online. First, look at shipping prices and remember to include them when determining your total cost, sometimes they can be higher then you would expect. Also, don't forget online auction sites. Many times by going through these sites you can get more for your dollar. You also need to check each company's policy on lost items and shipping insurance. A lot of online retailers will not claim responsibility for lost items nor provide shipping insurance. If the company does not provide insurance then always purchase it yourself and be sure to add it into your total cost. And last but definitely not least remember to protect yourself against fraud! Never send cash, ask around or check with the Better Business Bureau to find out more about the companies reputation, and use the safest methods of payment such as a credit card with fraud protection or a US Postal Service money order.