What to buy as a gift for a new mum (or not to buy)

[onesteponepunchoneroundatatime]

My closest friend is having her first baby soon. I live in NZ and she lives in the UK so will be sending a gift to her. I have not got any children and no plans to either so this is not a world I have alot of experience in.

We normally send flowers to each other for our birthdays but I don't really want to giver her another thing to look after. So I am looking for inspiration.

I wanted to know what is a really thoughtful gift that you weren't expecting, or what is something you wished you had been given and weren't. Also, is there anything I should absolutely avoid that may make her feel like shit.

My favourite gifts post childbirth were food related! Had a lovely hamper full of snacky bits and a load of freezer meals from Cook. They were perfect as we were too knackered to make anything healthy ourselves!

Delicious food vouchers or a deli hamper x

Agree with above, the best gift I got was a hamper and one thing in there was white chocolate cookies from marks and Spencer. That was 9 years ago and I can still remember how good they were when you’re up for a 3am feed

To be honest, I was just touched that anyone was thinking of me. Normally it's baby that gets all the gifts!
I agree with food. I was sent a big box of gorgeous chocolates - that was very much appreciated. Another friend sent me some of my favourites smellies, and that's as nice too.

Voucher for a massage or hair cut etc. Something that a month or two down the line she has something to look forward to.

Another vote for food!

As a PP said, 99% of the gifts will be for the baby so anything for the mum is a bonus! Best gifts I had were fancy tea, chocolate and a copy of Nobody Told Me by Hollie McNish. Best thing I'd bought myself was fancy shower gel - definitely enhanced the 5 minutes I got to myself in the shower while DH tried unsuccessfully to placate my velcro baby! Have sent Cook vouchers to friends which have gone down well.

Isabella and Us Wellbeing Zine Subscription. Lovely small magazines fantastic for new mums.
isabellaandus.com/gifts

A friend sent me some of these brownies, they must have ordered them as soon as we told them about the birth and the sugary deliciousness definitely helped us through the first week!

www.gowercottagebrownies.co.uk/

Another vote for any type of food! We were given a tin of Roses chocolates and Giant box of biscuits when DS was born. I was so grateful for them!