aHaving 5 kids, I know about babies and how to care for them 🙂 I also know how tiring a new baby can be – especially for people who are learning who to do the practical things as well as coping with the physical and emotional aspects of new parenthood.
As cute as babies are, remember their parents at Christmas time, too!
So after reading Marissa’s story of loving the babysitting voucher, I thought I would share some ideas for gifts for new parents as family and friends often want to help but have no idea how…
There are 2 concepts – one is to give them some pampering to refresh them and remind them they are people beyond parents – but I’m just going to give ideas for helping them as new parents.
- a bag of nappies – most cloth using parents will still use disposables for holidays or big outings, or you can give cloth nappies (they can turn into doll blankets and cleaning cloths later!)
- a subscription to a nappy wash service
- a basket of items such as baby wipes, baby shampoo, laundry detergent, clothes pegs, baby socks/tights and cleaning cloths
- vouchers – think of babysitting, cooking a meal, cleaning the house, doing some clothes washing, buying groceries, mowing the lawn and weeding. For an even bigger gift, give them a collection of vouchers…
- photo frames and albums are always good – but modern alternatives may be gift vouchers from a
photo printing service
or spending some time putting their photos into folders (on their computer, a USB stick or an online service) - look ahead and give the baby gifts for winter – not only does it save them going out in the cold, I always found that I got so many summer clothes many weren’t used much and winter was expensive
- find a way to help them communicate with the outside world – top up their prepaid phone credit, pay for membership at an online parenting site or a play group, teach them how to use Facebook, advice on a good phone plan, etc
- for very new parents, maybe get with some others and buy a high chair or booster seat (like a high chair for when they’re out) – or give them money/voucher towards it
- ask what they need! Radical idea really to ask but it’s better to ask before giving more singlets (despite what many say, you can have too many singlets!), grosuits and bottles. If they have everything practical they want, look to the child’s next stage and maybe give some infant/child cutlery and crockery, car organisers or training pants
- money or store vouchers may not seem an exciting gift but it is a practical way to help new parents who may be struggling with the extra expenses and less income
- give some music – it can make life easier (such as music that calms a baby), provide enjoyment for parents and child (and music is good for baby’s development), and it’s something that is often left off new parents’ shopping list
Thanks for all those great ideas Charmaine – I could relate to them all and would enjoy each and everyone myself as a Mum of four. I hope a lot of these ideas came from you having experienced them…
Two things I like to do for new parents – one is provide some prepared meals to save them having to cook when they’re exhausted or baby is having a bad day. Usully I do this for a new born but doing it for Christmas sounds just as good really.
The other is to give the gift of time – new parents get lonely and overwhelmed and often don’t have someone they can talk with openly. SO spend an afternoon with them or take them on a drive or out for lunch and let them talk, enjoy adult company and perhaps get some stress release by having a comforting ear available.
Inexpensive but priceless.
They’re great ideas, too, Suz 🙂 Everyone is so busy that the gift of time to new parents is valuable indeed.
Even though it’s not Christmastime right now, this post was so helpful to me! I’m at a point in my life now where I don’t have kids yet, but a lot of my friends are starting to settle down, and it’s useful to know some things that can be done to lighten the load.
I especially love the suggestion about music, since I think somethnig that simple would be easy to overlook but is still so important. Thanks again!
Glad to be of help, tulosai. Not just to you, but all those new parents around you – a thoughtful gift can go a very long way for new parents. WHen you’re tired and emotional, simple gifts like music shwo real care nad udnerstanding so you will be lvoed for it.
The prepared meals are fantastic. We do them often, they are especially nice for senior citizens who are bed bound.
Prepared meals are such a help to some people and not really that hard to arrange – not surprised you do this, pocs!
Great ideas! One idea that I have done is to offer to babysit over night and give the parents a date night. It helps them keep connected and gives them a night off. I love kids so this is fun for me. The parents always return refreshed and happy.
I bet the parents return refreshed and happy, Lisa! Asking someone to babysit overnight seems like a big imposition to many parents so you are offering a real treat. You know, even though I love kids and also used to enjoy doing such things, as a parent, I still think of it as doing me a favour rather than a two -way thing so offers like yours are precious.