What’s the loveliest present you’ve received as a new parent?

[Olderandboulder]

I’m very excited about the imminent arrival of my DS and his DP’s first baby. We are going to do the decent thing and stay away until they’re ready for visitors, but when we do go, I’d like to take something special for the new mum. She’s been so brilliant through quite a stressful pregnancy, and deserves something lovely. They’ve already got a stack of baby stuff from various friends and family, so I don’t want to add anything else to that.
Does anyone have anything, practical or frivolous, that they were given as a first time parent that really hit the spot? TIA

A wooden rocking chair, for the night feeds. It was a lovely gift that far outlasted the baby years.

Aw you sound lovely! This isn’t from experience as no one brought me anything after the birth of either of my children 😂 (actually I tell a lie - my family bought me a bunch of flowers after my first) anyway, I would’ve loved a hamper of some of my favourite things (maybe you could ask your son for suggestions?) I remember both times thinking I would’ve loved that!

When my last GDD was born I took my DIL a pair of comfy pjs and a bath set - bubble bath shampoo etc. after I’d had a baby cuddle and she had fed her exchanged news and what have you, I sent her upstairs with a cup of tea and told her not to come down until she felt ready. My DS crashed out whilst I minded the baby and cooked some dinner, tidied up put some laundry on and what have you, basically just do a quick rest. When they both came down in time for the next feed I left them to it. In a nice clean house with clean clothes and a nice meal.

they have since said that they were so grateful for that, just a couple of hours to take a breath.

My BFF, gave me a bottle of perfume, I still wear the same scent now.
I was so touched that I got given something, not just more baby clothes

Meals.

Hoemmade Cakes / biscuits such as flapjacks that would stand being kept until needed without going off.

What a lovely MIL you are! A hamper sounds wonderful. If you want to make it special, maybe a treat in there from somewhere more fancy like White Company (lovely pjs,
dressing gowns and blankets there) or Occitane (nice hand creams or shower gels). And then you can pop in some cookies, chocolates and fizz for her to dip into when she needs a sweet treat!

Cook meals.

https://www.cookfood.net/?&utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=google&utm_term=cook%20meals&campaignid=21343748353&adgroupid=163847350980&utm_campaign=Brand%20-%20National&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21343748353&gbraid=0AAAAAD_P-4iD4rYBkxkuXasG2xRpSl6N7&gclid=CjwKCAiAqKbMBhBmEiwAZ3UboIFPq1nHTFX-cLuPYcJZ48eOG76t4LE0TmC6d7mlCVC0MFeimAHFohoCV_YQAvD_BwE

When my DS was born over 32 years ago, my lovely MIL gave me a stack of old towels which she had cut down and hemmed the loose edges. I was a bit nonplussed but thanked her for her time and effort. This turned out to be the most useful gift I received! It was before muslins were available and I remember thinking that someone should make a commercial version of them.

I loved the bunches of flowers. I wouldn’t have appreciated lasagne as I like my own food and how is that a present for her? There is an underlying assumption with the home cooked stuff that a woman who has a baby is in some way responsible for the cooking! Poor her if she’s stuck with a useless lump who can’t put a bit of dinner together or have the baby while she arranges a few flowers.

I think the idea of a cozy wrap or breastfeeding top.

MIL handed me a bottle of baileys and wedge of Brie. I’d been dreaming about it for months

My Aunt brought a pile of Donnybrook fair (if you’re Irish you’re probably familiar) ready meals and sides. Enough for 3/4 dinners and just so thoughtful

I was given some lovely hand and face creams as a ‘just for you’ gift. I really loved them but I love unguents anyway. Perhaps a voucher for a massage or facial also? Something treaty and relaxing.

The offer to babysit any time
Loungewear sets (make sure easy to breastfeed ones if she is)
recording of the babies heartbeat in a stuffed teddy

takeaway vouchers !

offering to come over whenever convenient so she can sleep and you will clean the house (if she’s happy with you going around the house)

mini fridge and mini kettle for upstairs ! Absolutly game changer if making bottles or fancy a snack, drink for herself while up with the baby on the night. This was the best idea I ever had !

With DD2 I loved having dinners made for us, but for DD1 that wasn't such a big deal as we didn't have a toddler to wrangle too.

My favourite things for each were baby blankets, cardigans, and hats: we had several of each handmade by friends and family. My youngest is 9 and we still have a couple of their baby blankets in the car to go over their knees on cold days.

A large slab of homemade chocolate brownie!

My usual comment on these threads is if you buy food/vouchers to make sure it doesn't add more work. My friend bought me a Cook voucher but the nearest shop was a 40 minute drive away and I didn't have enough freezer space for the minimum delivery. I ended up saving the voucher for a few months and it was wonderful during teething, but not at the time it was intended for! I had batch cooked in advance so the freezer was already full and I would have struggled with being given food to freeze.

My best present was a joke from a friend - a pack of mince pies (completely out of season) and a few other very personal small silly things. It was for me and not the baby and hugely appreciated.

A homemade Christmas cake (ds was a Christmas baby). It was such a treat while breastfeeding.

If your DIL is a reader, then maybe a kindle paperwhite if she doesn't have one - I found mine really useful for reading in the dark while getting the babies to sleep. Or good headphones if she likes listening to podcasts/music.

Food and Cook vouchers. It was so nice not to have to make any dinners for a few weeks.

Cook vouchers were favourite - yummy food I didn’t have to faff around with was a game changer in the difficult newborn stage!

Love this idea. Something with their birthstone could be nice too.

Like many pps, I particularly enjoyed the food! My friend bought me a cake from the Hummingbird Bakery and DB baked banana bread, which was so thoughtful. A nice big water bottle could also be useful?

Meant to quote the post suggesting jewellery with DC’s name!

Blue, smelly cheese for my DH and COOK voucher from family.

A brand new pair of pjs for when I got back from hospital!
also got cook vouchers and a hamper of snacks for the middle of the night! I also got a new water bottle which was invaluable when nap trapped or again for the middle of the night!

Posh hand cream for mum
massage voucher for her for when she is ready
pre prepped healthy food that can go in the freezer

I’ve bought the cook vouchers before they’ve been well received

The best thing we got was food! The clothes, muslins and nappies were great but I can’t remember who bought what, it was such a blur. However I do remember the friend who turned up with an M&S dine in for two meal. I remember the friend who text me one morning saying to expect a Chinese takeaway to arrive around 7pm. I remember the friend who brought a huge home made lasagne. I remember the friend who sent a batch of fresh cookies in the post. Those honestly were the best “gifts”!