Here’s what new parents will appreciate this Christmas
ALL parents deserve gifts all year round, but it would be a shame to let the holidays pass without treating them. Lucky parents of older children might get cute Christmas cards and macaroni necklaces, but the only thing that Santa will bring for new parents is the regularly scheduled pile of dirty diapers.
That’s where you come in! Read on for a few gift ideas for new parents that they will surely appreciate.
Time off
This is the number one item on every mom’s wish list, we discovered. Perhaps you could make arrangements to babysit the little one(s) for a few days while mommy and daddy catch up on some sleep, and whatever else might need catching up on.
“I’d like someone to take her for a weekend so I can do something nice for myself and sleep.”
— Nadine, mom to a six-month-old
A spa day
This is also a great pick for expecting couples. Mom’s body will be eternally grateful for the relaxation. And let’s not forget dad. He deserves a spa day too. It’s not easy making sure mom and baby are taken care of all the time.
“I would appreciate maybe a nanny during the holidays or a gift certificate to a spa to go pamper myself just this once.”
— Chevelle, mom to a two-month-old
“A long stay at hotel. Make that all inclusive.”
— Lasine, mom to a one-year-old
Baby accessories
Christmas presents the perfect opportunity to get a gift that nobody got for the baby shower. Even if someone did, there are some baby essentials that new parents can’t have too much of. Clothes are outgrown; receivers get soiled; pacifiers get lost; and diapers, wipes and formula disappear faster than you can say “happy holidays”. Find out what your new family needs for the baby and get it for them.
“A baby bottle warmer for faster food; electric bottle steriliser so baby has a sterile bottle always; tonnes of wipes because you know babies just flash through the packs; and a spacious, well-organised diaper bag.”
— Sam and Jae, parents to a one-year-old
Baby gear and furniture
Things like high chairs, car seats, cribs, play-yards and carriers can be a bit expensive, but they definitely make the lives of new parents a lot easier. If you decide on one of these items, ensure that it meets the latest safety requirements and is one that can ‘grow’ with the baby as he/she gets older.
“I’d appreciate a baby seat and a crib, and all the diapers I can get.”
— Ajay, expecting dad
Christmas food
Making sorrel, baking fruit cakes, seasoning chicken, glazing ham, and shelling gungo peas is a whole lot of work. New parents might not have the time or energy to get any of this done, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t have a proper Christmas dinner. You can invite them over for some of yours or drop off dinner by their house. They don’t even have to know that you got everything from the supermarket.
“I would just like somebody to say, ‘You can come live with me for Christmas and I’ll do all the work’. As long as they don’t put too much rum in the sorrel or the cake.”
— Lisan, mom to a one-year-old
Cold, hard cash
You can’t go wrong with the good ol’ Christmas card with money it. New parents sometimes have a hard time balancing the books, especially if they were not exactly ready for a baby just yet. Because they will not necessarily tell you the areas where they need the most help, it might be tricky for you to guess. The money you give might help to buy a gift for the baby or even pay the Christmas light bill.
“I’m not really celebrating Christmas. The baby is too young to know what it is about, and I can’t afford the excitement with my rent due on the 28th. Maybe next year.”
— Shantel, mom to a seven-month-old.
— Candiece Knight
