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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Xmas gift for my wife a new mum

60 replies

dharpernz · 22/11/2016 13:45

Hi,

I'm new to the site, so apologies if this has been asked.

My wife is just about to give birth to our first child, and I'd like to know what a new Mum would appreciate for Christmas? We have a cleaner and I've made food for the freezer which will last until about February, so I'd like something for her, (she's not really into shopping). As I have no idea what she will feel like, if she's only given birth a month ago I thought I'd ask the experts.

Any help apprciated
Thanks

OP posts:
Artandco · 22/11/2016 13:47

Nice long wool coat to wear whilst outside with baby

Artandco · 22/11/2016 13:47

Or jewellery

theITgirl · 22/11/2016 13:49

An eternity ring

Stickerrocks · 22/11/2016 13:52

My colleague gave his new mum wife an expensive new bin. What would you have bought her before the baby? She's still the same person with the same hates & likes.

Twogoats · 22/11/2016 13:54

A big big, but nice, handbag. Mums need big bags!

Congrats btw Flowers

roarityroar · 22/11/2016 13:54

And a token gift/card from the baby. Seems a big thing on here.

NapQueen · 22/11/2016 13:54

A thick fluffy dressing gown

PotatoIsSoHandsome · 22/11/2016 13:57

An appointment for a manicure/haircut?

Tickets to the theatre in a couple of months?

A nice evening out possible?

Nice gloves, hat and scarf for when out with baby.

Nice bubbles for the bath/cream to put on afterwards

Fizz

A wearable but nice watch

And don't forget to get something from the baby too...

BertieBotts · 22/11/2016 14:07

She's still your wife, buy her something you'd normally buy, just with the appreciation that she might be off alcohol if she's breastfeeding, she's likely to be tired, she might be feeling self conscious about her body and she won't have much free time for fiddly things.

That said a netflix subscription would be a great investment for night feeds and cluster feeding! But that's not much of a present, more of a family thing.

Yes something cheesy from the baby would probably be a nice keepsake. Maybe a Christmas bauble with "My first Christmas", that kind of thing?

Original poster
dharpernz · 22/11/2016 14:17

I normally buy her art, or we go on holiday scuba diving, last year got her Adele tickets none of which are that appropriate now.

I've bought her a new fluffy dressing gown which I gave her yesterday for the hospital bag

She doesn't wear jewelry much.

I was thinking of a hotel weekend next year some time does anyone know of any in the North West of England that has a creche and good reputation?

I like the idea of something from the baby, i hadn't thought of that so I've got find two presents now ;-)

OP posts:
Artandco · 22/11/2016 14:27

Why isn't art or music tickets appropriate anymore?

SatsukiKusakabe · 22/11/2016 14:29

I think he knows she is still his wife, he just wants some ideas.

My dh got me a Kindle after our first, so I could read with one hand while stuck feeding on the sofa. It got me through some long nights and I still love it and use it now, if she's a reader that might be good. The Paperwhite with the inbuilt light is cheap now on Amazon.

After our second I got a bracelet with dcs initials and birthstones on. Chambers & Beau have some lovely jewellery which you can personalise however you wish.

Does she like cheese? A selection of the food and drink I had to do without whilst pregnant was nice.

I would be wary of booking any days or nights out - you don't know how she's going to feel about leaving the baby and it might be an added pressure. Best to leave it until further along and see how she feels.

Hobnobhobbit · 22/11/2016 14:32

Maybe a holiday cottage some where just you two and the baby where you can both relax with out any body else potter around loacal town with baby get some nice food and snuggle on a sofa with a log fire with baby

Hobnobhobbit · 22/11/2016 14:32

Just escape from friends family and the outside world just space for you too

FV45 · 22/11/2016 14:33

I'm a bit Shock that you are stating that you have a cleaner and a full freezer as if those might have been suitable presents!

I would get something that isn't at all baby-related, but something just for her.

Why have you ruled out some art?

oompaloompaland · 22/11/2016 14:40

A book of promises - a lie in while you take baby out, a bubble bath, a lovely meal (although you seem to have that one covered), basically anything that gives her time which will be in short supply once little one arrives. And huge congratulations by the way.

Dozer · 22/11/2016 14:44

Do your fair share of domestic work and parenting, including nights! Hopefully that's a given.

My favourite ever gift when had small babies was an ipad!

I wouldn't do anything involving nights out or lots of time away from the DC in case she decides to exclusively bf, she's exhausted, the baby has reflux of or something and/or she doesn't wish to be away from your newborn for some reason.

Original poster
dharpernz · 22/11/2016 14:51

Thanks for all the ideas, I obviously know cleaning and food isn't a present but I've seen them suggested as a break for a new mother previously.

I've bought some art as a birthing present of an animal family, to be honest not got a great deal of room for any more art and we usual buy together as our tastes aren't always the same.

I bought her a kindle paper white as a birthday present for exactly that reason so at least I'm thinking in the right way.

I like the food idea, I'll have to have a think what she's not been able to eat

I kind of want to have an opportunity for her to have a break without it being a break as I'm not sure whether she will want to leave him alone for long...

She's into horse's which she has with her dad, but I don't really known anything about them.

I'm usually creative but the change in circumstances has me at a loss.

OP posts:
PhilODox · 22/11/2016 14:52

A backlit kindle is a great idea, for night feeds so she doesn't need to put a big light on.
Don't book a hotel until you know how baby is- she may well not be ready to leave an infant in a crèche for a while yet.
Present should be something you'd usually get her - she's the same person! Art or music are great. Maybe baby could buy her a new CD? Something small, but shows you thought about it.

PhilODox · 22/11/2016 14:53

Blast- x-post re kindle!

Moonshine86 · 22/11/2016 14:54

Perhaps a pandora bracelet? You could purchase some sentimental charms to go with it. They have lovely family charms some that represent babies x

Moonshine86 · 22/11/2016 14:55

You can also purchase equestrian charms x

CozumelFox · 22/11/2016 14:58

Ah come on FV45, you know someone would have come along and mentioned it before long :)

My husband tries hard not to get me things that are all about "being a mum" or "being a SAHM." I'm dropping major hints for a Spicery subscription and he's all "But I don't want you to feel you're defined by being in the kitchen!" He prefers to get things unrelated to my parenting or career status.

Um, so I guess other than the spices, I'm kind of with him on that. Some people love embracing the whole mum thing and would love a bunch of mum-related items - jewellery with baby's name on it, diaper bag, books to read with the baby, day trips for babies, things about babies - aaaand some women would not like that, and would like gifts for them, about them, and who they are.

I guess what I'm trying to say is maybe just focus on her. I like getting jewellery and clothes because I find it hard to focus on myself, so for him to remind me I am still worth nice jewellery is really special (but then, I do not have much. For those who have lots, perhaps it is not as special.) I like books. Make-up and skincare from brands a little pricier than that I can afford myself. It's a lovely reminder to take time for myself and remember my own likes and dislikes. Other successful gifts have been related to my hobbies and interests at that time.

Original poster
dharpernz · 22/11/2016 14:59

She hate's Pandora's...not really a girly girly!

A book of promises is a good idea, any ideas for that would be good too

Thanks

OP posts:
jobrum · 22/11/2016 14:59

Dh bought me an ipad for xmas a few weeks before I gave birth. He figured that there would be a lot of sitting around and he was right! It was great when stuck in a chair feeding. Fabourite box sets etc are always good.