Many parents want just two things: sleep and time.
Unfortunately, a friend can't easily purchase either of those things as a gift for a bleary-eyed mom.
There are sweet gestures, however, that give mothers the opportunity to not only enjoy the adventure of parenting, but also feel a little more like their pre-baby selves.
Keep in mind that the most important part of treating the new mom in your life to something special for the holidays is to follow two basic rules. First, don't choose a gift that creates work for her. Second, be sure to consider the logistics of her suddenly changed life.
If she's breastfeeding an infant, for example, don't expect her to feel thrilled about those concert tickets or a girls night out, unless she can pump or synchronize her nursing schedule. And if your gift amounts to time away from her baby, make sure childcare is part of your present.
With those simple guidelines in mind, you can give the new mom you love and adore the perfect gift. Here are 10 ideas to inspire you.
1. Make her a memento.
The snuggle is real. #pillowtalk #relax A photo posted by @shutterfly on Oct 7, 2015 at 5:34pm PDT
Companies like Snapfish and Shutterfly, along with big retailers like Target and Costco, make it easy to turn any beautiful moment into keepsakes, such as personalized coffee mugs, iPhone cases, magnets and pillows. If you really want to make a mom smile, take her baby photos from Facebook, Instagram, Flickr or Picasa and turn them into a hardcover photo book, which is a wonderful memento, but often time-consuming to edit and assemble.
2. Serve up dinner.
Next up in exciting twists on the classic burger, hoisin pork patties steal the show. A photo posted by Blue Apron (@blueapron) on Sep 6, 2015 at 3:30pm PDT
A new mom has to eat well, but grocery shopping and cooking are often tough to coordinate when there's an infant to feed and comfort. If mealtime has special significance for the mom you know, help her maintain that ritual by gifting a meal or cooking service like Blue Apron or Kitchit, or a grocery delivery service like Instacart or FreshDirect.
3. Tackle her to-do list.
I think it's time for the childproof door lock thingies. #childproofing #getsintoeverything A photo posted by Kristie Cromie (@kristiecromie) on Oct 16, 2015 at 3:27pm PDT
If you hear a mom talking about her to-do list more often than not, try easing the load by connecting her with services to get the job done. Talk to her spouse or partner about what nags at her the most — maybe it's the overgrown garden, the endless childproofing or the never-cleaned oven. A TaskRabbit gift certificate, which covers the hourly rate for services, is a good place to start. Make sure she knows this present is meant to give her more time to do the things she truly loves.
4. Treat her to a styling service.
Say YES to NOvember! Pin your monthly must-haves to let your Stylist know what you’re coveting on our “Trending Now” board at Pinterest.com/stitchfix. A photo posted by Stitch Fix (@stitchfix) on Nov 5, 2015 at 3:40pm PST
Nothing can prepare a mom for how her body will change following the arrival of a child. She may want clothes that fit differently or to try a new style all together. If you suspect that's the case, spoil her with a clothing service like StichFix, Le Tote or Gwynnie Bee that lets her indulge in fashion without having to leave the house.
5. Give her some alone time.
Remember what your loved one enjoyed doing before having a baby? Find a way to get her out of the house so she can attend her favorite mediation class or barroom quiz night. Cover any necessary fees and then promise to provide childcare personally or in coordination with her partner. Sometimes all a new mom needs is to part with her baby once, even if briefly, just to see it's possible.
6. Send her to the spa.
There's a reason why treating a mom to a day at the spa is practically a cliche at this point: Feeling pampered even for a few hours can be a much-needed break from the exhaustion of motherhood. A gift certificate to her favorite spa is a great go-to, but also consider a service like Glamsquad, which sends stylists to do at-home hair styling, makeup and manicures/pedicures. It currently operates in New York, Miami and Los Angeles, and if you're not local to the company, try searching for a similar nearby option.
7. Help her capture special moments.
Faced with a room full of cameras #photographingbabies @aspirecpt A photo posted by Kay Young (@kayyoungphoto) on Jun 17, 2015 at 11:47am PDT
Many new parents can't help but photograph a lot of their child's waking (and sleeping) moments. Now isn't the time for a photography class, but it is a great opportunity to gift a fun camera that isn't a smartphone. Try the Fuji Instax 8, a compact camera that prints images on the spot.
8. Help her get active.
If your new mom is eager to return to working out and isn't worried about lingering discomfort or completing physical therapy, help her find the right opportunity to get active and offer to do it together. This could mean buying a pass to her favorite yoga studio, signing up for a 5k or bringing her to a pickup soccer game. Childcare, of course, is essential.
9. Surprise her with a special care package.
Our You Pampered Thing, You is served best with wine on the couch after a long week if you're asking Raise your hand if you're with us #stayingin #couchparty #partyforone #youpamperedthingyou #treatyoself #cozy #spanight #partypackage #bestgiftever #tgif #justbecause #PackedParty A photo posted by Packed Party® (@packedparty) on Nov 13, 2015 at 3:29pm PST
The daily work of caring for a baby — sleep, eat, poop — can get repetitive. Bring a little whimsy into your loved one's life by sending her a themed care package. Packed Party delivers boxes of goodies to recipients, and the gift giver has no clue what's inside until it arrives. Themes include pampering, praise and comfort.
10. Make a donation in her name
Did you know that goats discovered coffee beans! A goat herder in the Ethiopian highlands found that his goats were very “spirited” after they ate a berry from a particular tree native to those lands. Soon after it was made into a drink by locals and the rest is history. Be sure to thank a #goat when having your next “cup of joe.” A photo posted by Heifer International (@heiferinternational) on Aug 3, 2015 at 8:56am PDT
For the mom who volunteered regularly before her baby arrived, consider giving a donation in her name to a favorite charity or nonprofit. An organization like Heifer International specifically helps women and their children thrive by providing income-generating resources, including farm animals, knitting materials and business training. Your gift comes with an "honor card" sent to the recipient to recognize the donation made in her name.