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Christmas

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Original poster

Christmas present for new mum? Am I overthinking this?!

26 replies

askmeagainin5 · 18/12/2019 09:48

SIL has a newborn baby. For her birthday just after baby was born people bought her things that were essentially for the baby as she had a newborn, so for Christmas I’d really like to get her something for her.

But everything I’d normally get her doesn’t really apply anymore. She’s really into gins so I’d get her that sort of thing but she’s not drinking whilst BFing. Clothes would be a normal gift for her but I’m not sure what size she is now and wouldn’t want to appear rude by asking. She has a crafty hobby I could buy bits for but she hasn’t had time to do any since the baby!

DP says I’m massively overthinking and that we should get her any of the above and she will be very grateful and use it when the time comes. But I’m not convinced... Any ideas?!

OP posts:
hiredandsqueak · 18/12/2019 09:51

Some luxury bath products. I bought dd some Elemis after she had dgs and she loved being able to have a long soak in the bath.

littleduckeggblue · 18/12/2019 09:52

Maybe a voucher for clothes so that she has something to wear in the "in between stage" when maternity clothes are too big and her usual clothes are too small?

littleduckeggblue · 18/12/2019 09:53

Chocolate
Dvd
Bubble bath
Dressing gown
Pj's
Hamper

firstimemamma · 18/12/2019 09:54

You sound very thoughtful Smile

It was my 30th recently and my friends bought me a beautiful bracelet engraved with my name, my fiancé's name and our baby's name. I love it and wear it most days, is that something she'd appreciate? There are some nice ones on not on the High st.

Does she like food presents? E.g. cheese board.

A nice scarf (not my thing but at least if she does like them you know you can't buy the wrong size).

Toiletries if she's into that kind of thing?

Whittard's do some lovely hot chocolate sets.

maryberryslayers · 18/12/2019 09:55

A couple of moths subscription to gusto? She could pick the 10 min meals.

Some lovely bath bits would also be nice and some goodies to munch on whilst bf'ing.

If you have that kind of relationship, make a little voucher for time from you to sit downstairs with the baby whilst she goes for a nap or bath upstairs. I really appreciated when people did that for me (thanks MIL!) it's better than an offer to 'babysit' as there's no way I could or would have left him at that age.

A new dressing gown and slippers? Go a size up as it doesn't matter with a dressing gown so much, I prefer huge ones anyway.

Teachermaths · 18/12/2019 09:58

Clothes voucher would be so welcome here. I'll be in a very similar position.

Means no pressure to use it straight away but if she did want things quickly she can always use it.

Bath stuff was not very welcome due to having a section and not using any fragranced stuff. Check before you buy if you go for this.

Changinforaflamin · 18/12/2019 10:07

I’d have loved bath stuff or a takeaway voucher

sirmione16 · 18/12/2019 10:08

Agree with bath stuff, I took and still do take loads of baths after having ds. Also, I got gifted a lovely large comfy jumper - a really good quality knit one that was perfect to chuck on over leggings, but still looked nice, and hid all my baby tum and wobbly bits.

WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 18/12/2019 10:09

Clothes voucher or massage/facial/pedicure voucher with a long expiry date.

BonnieSeptember · 18/12/2019 10:09

Is she aware she can drink while BF? Asking as you're safe to look after the baby you're safe to Bf.

Obvisouly if she's choosing to not drink that's fine. Agree with other posters - clothes vouchers, snacks that are easy to eat one handed! And bath stuff if she's into her baths (although as BF new mum myself I can tell you finding time for a relaxing bath is rare haha!)

Welcometoparadise · 18/12/2019 10:11

Im sure she will appreciate any gift but my preference when i had a newborn would have been:

  • a voucher for clothes (but maybe not for somewhere she can spend it on baby clothes instead!) - even if she is wearing her 'normal' size already she might find her shape has changed or she needs a different style for feeding.
-luxury bath products, pyjamas/loungewear
  • subscription to magazine either related to hobby or general interest (I found this better than books in the early days)
  • a posh travel mug and hamper of treats (I loved having little flapjacks and healthy snacks as i was always hungry but posh chocs would work too!)
MerryGrinch · 18/12/2019 10:11

I'd buy the gin. Gin was the best present I was bought as a gift after I gave birth. I breastfed, I didn't drink during the early cluster feeding days but once dd was going a few hours between feeds I'd have a tipple.

Ninkanink · 18/12/2019 10:12

A beautiful scarf (cashmere if the budget allows) and a pair of leather gloves to match is a lovely gift.

Youseethethingis · 18/12/2019 10:20

I did the same for my friend when she had her baby. Got her a Chanel body oil, a real luxury which she loved as it made her skin feel lovely and the scent lasted better than perfume.

Pegase · 18/12/2019 10:31

She can drink in moderation while bf so I'd go with the gin

sar302 · 18/12/2019 12:50

My DS was born a few weeks before Christmas and I was so grateful for clothes vouchers. I was NOT ready to tell anyone my measurements at the time! I put them to one side and bought some new stuff for summer - it was perfect.

Cookit · 18/12/2019 13:52

We recently had people over and they didn’t bring any wine as they normally would have and said “oh we didn’t think you were drinking ...”. I assume because of the baby? Not sure. Anyway I was a bit Hmm because breastfeeding a baby doesn’t mean you can’t drink at all and I’m all about a nice wine of an evening. But if she’s choosing not to drink that’s obviously her prerogative.

neverornow · 18/12/2019 15:00

Clothes voucher. She can get some "in between size" clothes in the sales

Something pamper/ beauty related; voucher for a local hair or beauty salon, skincare products, perfume...that kind of thing.

firstimemamma · 18/12/2019 15:00

Re. the drink thing, I chose to be teetotal while breastfeeding (even though I know it's fine to drink - just my personal decision). If someone had bought me booze knowing I'd chosen to not drink I wouldn't have been very happy. I'd have felt pressurised and like my choice to not drink wasn't being respected. I'd check with her first as unless you ask you just can't be sure whether she's like me or like the previous posters who'd have appreciated an alcoholic gift (obviously neither way of thinking is at all wrong, just different). You just can't be sure so why risk offending her?

Worldshohohokayestmum · 18/12/2019 15:04

My favourite gift last year was a cashmere scarf. I was so excited to get it out again this year

Drum2018 · 18/12/2019 15:08

Is she the type to spend time in the bath? I never have a bath and therefore wouldn't thank anyone for bath products.
I wouldn't get the gin either as chances are by the time she feels up to drinking someone else (Dh/visitors) will have drank it. 😫
Is she into jewellery? If not then a voucher for clothes would probably be handiest and offer to go shopping with her so she can try on while you mind the baby.

Original poster
askmeagainin5 · 18/12/2019 15:20

Wow I knew I could count on you all Smile Thanks to all of you for the great ideas. And thank you for the thoughtful comment - I love her very much and she’s been through a lot (partner left her just before birth).

Re the breastfeeding/drinking - yes she has chosen to be tee total while breastfeeding.

For her birthday I went for the dressing gown and slippers as she’d been spending lots of time in them Grin

She loves baths so glad to see the idea of bath stuff is getting a lot of love. Any particular recommendations for luxury brands? And the same goes for the clothes voucher - I think she’d love this. Not sure whereabouts to buy it for. Do they still do those vouchers you can use at multiple shops or is that a thing of the past Grin

OP posts:
firstimemamma · 18/12/2019 20:01

I've seen the multiple shop vouchers on sale while queuing at the post office so you could try there yes I know I'm a granny trapped in a 30 year old's body.

Glad we could help Smile

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 18/12/2019 21:40

Hand cream - your hands suffer in the early days with all the washing, changing, sterilising etc.

How about a voucher for a nice pedicure or something as a treat?

Cosy pull-on /lounge pants. Boden do fab ones.

Notnownotneverever · 18/12/2019 21:52

DVD set or a book
Voucher for cinema which has mum and baby viewings and print out the info about those screenings.
Coffee voucher
M&S voucher with suggestion in a card that they could splash out on the £10 dining offer as a break.