Mazal Tov, its a new baby! Every birth is a miracle and such a joyful time for everyone, though of course bringing a tiny new baby home, and then caring for that baby, can be a very great challenge, especially with the first born, when the whole process is brand new. Family and friends will run to buy gifts for the baby, or even ask what they can contribute, so in most cases the needs of the baby are covered. I propose focusing your attention on the new parents and anything that they might need to help them transition into the joy of parenting a new addition to the family. There are so many things the new parents could use, from actual help, to gifts or gift certificates you can send from afar. If you have a close and trusting relationship with the new parents, ask them if they need any help regarding financial advice, filing taxes or government forms, or moves they might want to make to financially protect their child meaning even considering life insurance. (Do wait until the parents are not totally sleep deprived to have this kind of discussion!) Okay, there really are so many ways to help new parents, lets take a closer look!
Food Gift Ideas
Exhausted parents of a newborn are not likely to have the energy to prepare meals for themselves, so arranging either home cooked or delivered meals for at least a few weeks would be a huge help and so very appreciated. In my community we cook meals for the whole family for 2 weeks after birth! Most people are not living in a community that provides this kind of service so consider the following alternatives:
- Stalk up their freezer with ready made meals that just need to be defrosted and re-heated
- Bake them a big batch of nourishing spelt oatmeal rolls, some to enjoy now, and some to freeze, using this great recipe
- Find a restaurant or caterer that will deliver meals for a certain number of days
- Give them a gift certificate for a specific restaurant or a food delivery service that allows them to choose from a range of restaurants
- Go to their home, with everything you need, and cook them a meal as well as a few extras to have on hand
- Order food basics online or do a shopping run to fill the fridge and freezer with items for breakfast and lunch
Making Memories
Parents always appreciate looking back on the special memories they otherwise might have forgotten due to sleep deprivation during baby's first year. New parents might be so overwhelmed and exhausted that they forget to capture the experience and the preciousness of a new baby! Any gift that helps them make memories will be greatly appreciated, such as:
- Gift them a newborn photo session, something that must be done within the first 2 weeks of birth for the best results.
- Gift them a whole series of photos sessions for baby's first year, including the newborn session, wow!
- Give them a foot print kit, or a kit to make a plaster imprint of baby's foot
- Give them a "baby's first year" album, together with the foot print kit. Jotting down moments to savor won't feel difficult when it is all organized and spelled out!
Sibling Gifts
Sometimes one of the greatest gifts you can give parents who already have one or more older children is help with those children so they can focus on the newborn. It may be something as simple as a gift for the sibling, or possibly something a bit more involved and thoughtful, such as:
- Coupons for babysitting by yourself and other family members/friends
- Treating the siblings to a sleep over at your house, or take them on a vacation of some kind
- Buy a gift that could keep the siblings busy for hours at a time, like a large building set or if the children are older even something like a ping pong table could be great
- Offering to cover school delivery and/or pick up for an extended period of time
- Offering to take the child/children to the park several times at week, or even on a dinner picnic
Pampering Gifts
Feel like pampering the new parents with something special? Here are a few ideas:
- A fancy coffee machine and a coffee subscription
- A farm fresh organic produce subscription
- Weekly fresh flowers delivered to their home
- A weekly or twice weekly maid service
- A massage session by someone that will come to their home
Okay, now that you have thought about the parents, sure go ahead and crochet that adorable bunny for baby or maybe a blanket or two using this pattern from The Spruce Crafts. Or check out the great variety of free knit and crochet patterns on ravelry if you feel like browsing a great range of projects, so much fun!
I hope this guide has been helpful!
