What gift would you have loved as a first time parent?

[violetbunny]

My sister who lives abroad is about to have her first child in early February. I don't have kids so would love to know from anyone who does, what gifts would you have loved as a soon-to-be first time mother? Not for the baby, but for you!

I was thinking either something she can use to enjoy her last month or so of freedom (pregnancy massage?) or else something that will be practical and/or time-saving for her once baby is here (no idea what though.... heeeelp!)

If it helps - my sister is 31, works in a very corporate job, and will be at home with the baby in the first 6 months. Budget would be about 60 quid.

Any suggestions most welcome!!!

A decent coffee maker.

Probably too specific but a friend had my nan's old rocking chair re-upholstered for me for upstairs. That was easily my most used gift

Agree with the good quality coffee machine.

It was lovely to have the house full of flowers after I gave birth and I'd have liked a flower subscription that kept coming a few months afterwards.

Also, a lovely lpungewear and dressing gown set was lovely

New underwear that for correctly a few months PP

Home cooked food eg casseroles, cottage pie etc in individual foil trays, frozen.

My mum's gift to us was a month's supply including lots of cake and sponge puddings! ❤️

Thanks, these are great!!

I second a new, snuggly dressing gown. And pyjamas (with buttons if breast feeding). Very important for night feeds in February!

I second lounge wear. Both my parents and inlaws got me a set each (it was the mums) DS is 4 months old and I still have days where I don't want to leave the house so have a quick shower and put them on.
Both sets basically lool like co-ords so if I need to go to the shop I don't like like I'm in my pj's.

My friends got me a few boxes of Tesco red label tea (I drink a lot and red label is the best)

You could also do her a voucher scheme for when she visits or you go to see her, i.e "dinner of your choice cooked by xyz/2 hours uninterrupted baby free time"

Lounge wear is good. Basically a co-ord set that you can wear around the house and still feel like you got dressed today and easily breastfeed in too.

If she’s into massages a pregnancy massage was very welcome for me and would probably be about £60.

And a pair of cosy slippers and an insulated spill proof mug to go with the loungewear/dressing gown. I'd go for a long fleece robe that can be washed and dried quickly.

I would have loved a book club subscription. Willoughby has been the best for me.

Or a hotel chocolat velvetiser, but that's a bit out of budget.

I had to get rid of my long dressing gown when I had DS as I couldn't carry him up and downstairs without risking tripping on it so I'd say no longer than mid calf length if you are doing a dressing gown. Soft PJs are nice, I personally don't like button brushed cotton types as they don't have enough give, soft jersey tops can easily be lifted for feeding.

Check whether they've got freezer space before doing frozen meals - we wouldn't have room for more than a couple of things.

Massage etc vouchers - again check, some love it, some hate it.

If I'm honest though, I really only wanted baby stuff at that point in my life.

A mug to keep hot drinks hot
An audiobook subscription
Kindle paper white
Nice coffee

I used those travel coffee mugs whilst breastfeeding so I had no accidents spilling it. Also kept my coffee hot whilst I was chained to the sofa feeding.
My mum's friend got me 3 pairs of pyjamas which were great because I lived in them.
MIL gave us freezer meals.

Oh my mum also gave me a plastic jug, thought she was mental until I had to go for a wee after giving birth, used it to pour water on myself whilst I went for a wee.

My mum paid for me to have my hair done with both children. Made me feel slightly human again!

If she's abroad I'm guessing there's no Cook, but something similar.

Decent quality handcream would be great, and a kindle if she doesn't have one- lifesaver for reading during feeding and far easier to hold one handed than a book.

Massage voucher or pedicure would be great too.

If you know what clothes she likes, a luxurious card could be nice to be a step up from a dressing gown but still very comfortable?

Magazine subscription
Tesco/ food shop voucher

I loved those when it felt like i was stuck in the house! And booking a Tesco delivery was mega helpful lol.

One of best things I got was an insulated mug that keeps your drink warm. It meant I actually got to drink my coffee when it was still hot! :)

Insulated mug to keep drinks warm. I used to fill the dishwasher every night with mugs that I’d had a mouthful from and abandoned.

Kindle would have been nice.

Voucher for hairdresser- hair can change so much after a pregnancy.

I was terrible with cooking smells so a lovely jo malone diffuser or candle

I loved cheap cotton nighties. The breast milk spillage would dry out in no time, meaning I could sleep without changing every night feed.
Microwave for those not drunk coffees.
Libby Purves book on babies. Anachronistic but the bit about babies babies being like the weather kept me sane...they are meant to be delightful for days and then for no reason at all...absolutely horrid.
Nipple cream. Expensive but so necessary.
Magazines. No time to read a book .

If she isn’t breastfeeding, get her a perfect prep machine- best invention ever for a formula fed baby

I loved my Tuppance and crumble star blanket for my baby

You know your sister, and her likes etc. Personally, I spent very little time at home in pj's, and both my husband and I carried on cooking fine, so meal vouchers would have been a waste (and given me the impression thst my husband couldn't cook).

For me, an amazon dot along with a Spotify or audible subscription would have been useful. That way sue can listen to music or audibooks, play white noise for the baby and make phone calls whilst on the sofa. Or a sling to carry the baby in so she isn't trapped on the sofa in the first place.

She can listen. Not sue. Unless your sister happens to be called sue. Then it's fine.