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Original poster

Christmas present suggestions for my wife (due in mid-Feb)

33 replies

FrozenTundra · 12/12/2007 23:32

My wife is pregnant with our first child, and she's due in mid-February.
For those of you mumsnetters who've been there, what would you want for Christmas in her shoes?
This dh would appreciate any advice.

OP posts:
VVVExcitedAboutChristmasQV · 12/12/2007 23:33

Something not baby related

choosyfloosy · 12/12/2007 23:36

Opera tickets. We went loads when I was pregnant (it's relatively cheap in Oxford) and we finally managed to go again a couple of weeks ago, after over 4 years! - the trouble being that it tends to start at 7 or 7.30 which is early for babysitters.

Maybe not opera, but some form of experience that she loves but will be hard to do with kids. Not eating out IMO - that's actually the easiest thing to do with kids. it's a cliche but we also had a weekend at a hotel at 7 months gone, with massages and all that, plus an enormous bed, lots of sleep etc.

S1ur · 12/12/2007 23:37

seconded vvv! something that assures she is stil more than just a mother

And therefore, you know better than us! she'll have lots of baby-related things soon enough and from others, but you are her partner so get to give her something just for her

Ozymandius · 12/12/2007 23:40

I - when in similar position to your wife, really wanted a beautiful slinky maternity nightie that I could wear now, in hospital and afterwards for breastfeeding. Like the ones at www.seraphine.com. Plus perfume, pedicure/manicure voucher, anything pampering.

www.seraphine.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=151&idCategory=3&akey=&curpage=

Original poster
FrozenTundra · 12/12/2007 23:43

Wow - such quick responses...thanks very much

OP posts:
gigglewitchyouamerrychristmas · 12/12/2007 23:47

awww, aren't you thoughtful?! well done nearly-daddy.

anything involving pampering, nails done, foot spa, reflexology (all these safe whilst pg) and then a night at the theatre, or a concert, as long as the seats are well spaced (I sat in some at only 5 mths pg and it nearly crippled me cos the seats were so close to those in front that there was no room to move...)

something good to read - and as you say, not baby related. or book vouchers and a trip to spend them in Borders or somewhere with a nice cafe in bookshop

my DH bought me some lovely maternity p-j's when i was having -erm, think the second of ours, as i wore all manner of awful t-shirts and baggy pants for bed, never really got to grips with the idea of nice mat. nightwear. I really appreciated him getting me nice stuff.

PortAndLemonaid · 12/12/2007 23:47

I wanted (and got) a nice digital camera. But theatre tickets also good -- we did go a lot when I was 8 months pregnant with DS on a "won't be able to go for some time" basis.

jennypenguin · 13/12/2007 03:06

My friend gave me a very sexy pair of strappy high heeled sandals that were incredibly beautiful and incredibly innappropriate for xmas when i was due mid february, and they were the best present i could've had! I was so fed up with flat shoes all the time and wearing them out made me feel fab.
However if i'd had swollen ankles or anything like that i probably would've hated them and cried for days

slim22 · 13/12/2007 05:23

something to make her feel sexy will definitely go down well + a day spa voucher for immediate relief (clarins do a great head to toe mummy pampering pack)

Or a little piece of jewellery that can be passed on to baby one day (if it's a DD).

livysmum · 13/12/2007 05:34

i'd have loved one of thoes glider chairs and stool to go in either bedroom or nursery.
or yah maybe a day in the spa. help her relax and rejuvinate after all that hard work

JetPeanut · 13/12/2007 05:57

Champneys do a range of products for mothers-to-be - you can get them in Sainsburys. I got some bath stuff and bodywash for xmas when I was pregnant and loved them. I loved being pregnant though, and couldn't get anough of pregnancy "stuff"!

JetPeanut · 13/12/2007 05:58

"enough" I meant to say, obviously.

Coolchristmasfairy · 13/12/2007 07:17

A stockpile of "babysitting vouchers" either from you or that you will be able to organise so that she can get out after baby is born or the two of you can go for a quiet dinner or something like that.
IF you don't have a cleaner, maybe find someone who will come in once a week and blitz your house so she doesn't have to worry about housework, if you have enough clean shirts etc.

warthog · 13/12/2007 08:03

my dh took me to a spa for pampering, massages etc. and i HATED it! i couldn't stand people touching me. i even had to stop a session half way through. so i wouldn't go down that route unless you're sure she would like it.

give her something appropriate to her hobbies or a good book. she won't get much chance when the baby's there!

TenLordsaLapin · 13/12/2007 08:09

DEFINITELY not baby related!

My mum bought me a beautiful silk dress that I had been eyeing but obviously couldn't fit into because I had a ginormous bump, I ended up wearing it to DS's christening. But that's not a good idea if you think she'd think it was a "get back into shape pronto!" hint.

I'd go for jewellery, to be honest. A lovely necklace or earrings? Ring might be tricky if her fingers are swollen. Jewellery is always special and also it doesn't matter how large you are .

Any idea of budget?

CharlieAndLolasMummy · 13/12/2007 08:11

agree no baby gifts.

a. she gets those ANYWAY

b. she needs something for her

disagree re babysitting vouchers. This is something you do ANYWAY.

Cleaner very good idea but do that ANYWAY, not as an xmas present.

TenLordsaLapin · 13/12/2007 08:13

Ooh! OR some really gorgeous lounging pyjamas. Isabella Oliver do lovely soft separates (I still wear mine and DS is 20m now!) or M&S have got the most scrumptious set with cashmere - I was fondling them yesterday in the store but couldn't justify buying them for myself

dingdongmerrilyonFLIER · 13/12/2007 08:17

definately a prenatal massage, I know clarins do them.

merryberry · 13/12/2007 08:22

i got some teeny but sparkly diamond studs with ds1. very, very welcome.

TheCatInTheHatBert · 13/12/2007 08:29

all of that and card which promises her a years worth of a cleaner (at least!!) from then the baby is due

WaynettALotOfMincePies · 13/12/2007 08:30

A gorgeous handbag - what's your budget and we can find some!

SantaBeClausImWorthIt · 13/12/2007 08:38

Definitely nothing to do with the baby - it's her Christmas.

Equally, whilst giving the 'gift' of a cleaner it sort of implies that cleaning is her job that you are kindly (patronisingly!) helping her out with!

I would treat it like any other Christmas to be honest - no need to go overboard just because you have a baby coming (congratulations, btw!).

But think about what you're going to give her when the baby arrives - that's a good opportunity for jewellery.

(Well, it's always a good opportunity for jewellery! )

TenLordsaLapin · 13/12/2007 08:40

So:

A cleaner
A silk nightdress
Opera tickets
Cashmere PJs
Some pretty shoes
A nice dress
Diamond earrings
A spa day

That should do it!

(I'm giving this list to my husband and I'm not even pregnant!)

Ozymandius · 13/12/2007 08:47

I wouldn't have wanted a silk or cashmere nightie or pyjamas - lovely though they are, because of the washing horror. The great thing about the Seraphine nighties - this is another nice thing - www.seraphine.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=409&idCategory=3&akey=&curpage=isthat you can breastfeed in them, sling them in the washing machine and they have lycra so look good pregnant or not pregnant and dont' need IRONING. Which is v v v important when you have a new baby!
Jewellery and books also nice.

TenLordsaLapin · 13/12/2007 08:52

That's the point though Ozymandius - it's so nice to have one thing that doesn't have to resist baby vom, it makes me feel human again

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