Forget sea salt body scrub and aromatherapy candles. New moms need help before they can even consider new modes of relaxation. If you want to choose practical, helpful gifts for a new mom, consider the following:
CARDS: New moms need to write a lot of thank you notes. Give her a head start with some baby-themed thank you cards. My favorite are from mom-owned Designed by Erinn, featuring a baby carriage with the new baby’s name and a caricature that looks like mom. In addition, pick up a few generic birthday, congratulations and thank you cards from a local gift shop. Include a book or two of Forever Stamps from the post office, and you’ve saved her a trip to the post office and the need to keep track of the ever-increasing postal rates.
NETFLIX: The best gift I got after my second baby was born was a subscription to Netflix (3 movies at a time). I had a portable DVD player in the nursery and I would watch old TV series during night feedings. The return process – throw it in the mail – is so simple, and the web page is easy to navigate. Plus, I was able to try different shows before getting locked into the big price tag of purchasing a box set. I even tried a couple of fitness videos when the time came around…
FILE FOLDER: One thing I did not anticipate at the hospital was paperwork. We got a lot of it, some important and some not. Regardless, it all got brought home in a disheveled pile between the maternity shirt and dirty underwear in my suitcase. Help keep a new mom organized with a baby documentation folder. I like the Baby Briefcase for being sturdy and naming the folders for you.
TIME SAVING BEAUTY ITEMS:New moms have a stigma for not getting enough sleep and not getting enough showers. Both are true! It may be the rare moment a mom can indulge in a lavish body wash. But every morning, she’d love to have some pre-moistened facial cloths to quickly wash at least her face! I have not tried dry shampoo, which is meant to keep hair clean between washings. But I would have if someone bought it for me! Here is a review of 10 dry shampoos from The Beauty Brains.
CLOTHING GIFT CERTIFICATES: Like it or not, every new mom is going to need some “in between” clothing when the maternity pants are too big and her old jeans are nowhere near being buttoned. If you know the new mom well enough, a few trendy shirts in size “Large” are good to tide her over. I love gift cards to Old Navy since the clothes are stylish and you can get more for your buck. Their online shopping is easy, and returns can be done through the mail or at a store. And, if she wants to use just a little bit for a new baby outfit, she can do that there too!