Top Holiday Gifts for New Mommies

Is someone you know spending this holiday season as a brand new Mom? Do you feel like you should send something, but you're not sure what to get? Here are a few holiday gift ideas for the new mommies...

Pampering Items.

Now that she's got her body back to herself, the new mom may be looking forward to spending a little "me time". Bath salts or bubble bath, or a new lotion in a soothing scent such as lavender give mom an excuse to relax and pamper herself a little while the baby naps. Throw in a good book to read while she soaks (something NOT related to child-care!), or a soothing audiotape or cd to make a nice gift basket

Skinny Clothes.

Well, maybe not as skinny as her pre-pregnancy size, but... Not everyone bounces right back to their pre-baby weight right away, but most will lose 10-20 pounds before they leave the hospital. Get the new mom something cheerful and new to wear when guests come by to admire the new baby.

Nursing-wear.

If your favorite new mom is planning the breastfeed, a supportive nursing bra is a must. You can't shop effectively for this prior to the third trimester, because the fit will be wrong. But, by the last months of pregnancy, many moms-to-be don't feel like shopping, so this item often gets overlooked. Also, look for cute nursing dresses, jumpers, and shirts. These special clothes have hidden zippers, buttons or slits to access the breasts easily and discreetly to make feeding the baby in public more comfortable for mom.

Frozen Food.

This was one of my favorite new mommy gifts! My mom came over the week my son was born, armed with recipe cards and cut outs from magazines for cassaroles and other freezable dinners. She cooked up a bunch of different meals, and packed them in those disposable foil trays. Then she taped the cooking or reheating instructions to the top of each one and put them in my freezer. All through those frazzling early weeks with a baby that knew no schedule, I could just reach in the freezer for a homemade dinner, (and throw away the dish afterwards!). If you're not into cooking, you could do something similar with store-bought frozen dinners. Or, organize some friend to hold a "casserole shower". Everybody bring one favorite dish to freeze for the new mom, and she'll have one less thing to concentrate on while she spends time with the new baby.

Chocolate.

Because chocolate is ALWAYS an appropriate gift. Everyone knows that!

Gift Cards.

Let the new mom pick out something for herself on her own schedule. When all the dust settles, there's likely to be something that's been overlooked, and a gift card at a local general-purpose store always comes in handy. Or, if you know of a store that mom likes but wouldn't normally splurge on something for herself at, a gift certificate there gives her the "permission" to indulge herself.

Babysitting.

She loves the new baby, but it's overwhelming! Give the new mom a hand by volunteering to stay with the baby while she runs errands, takes a long bubble bath, or gets in a much-needed nap. Or, be the extra set of hands around the house for a couple hours. Offer to do the grocery shopping, or to help with the household chores that probably got out of hand during those last weeks of the pregnancy. New moms usually need a little help, but aren't always comfortable asking. Offer your time and support.

These ideas should get you started having some fun finding the perfect gift for your favorite new mommies this holiday season. Happy Shopping!

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