Bringing a new baby into the world can be incredibly exciting but also very exhausting…
Because brand-new parents are often struggling to meet their basic needs, such as having nutritious meals, finding time to rest, and maintaining personal well-being in general, we’ve put down a blog post with gift ideas that literally every new parent would appreciate.
Gift fast and delicious food:
– Simplify mealtime with a subscription to a meal box that offers nutritious, easy-to-prepare dishes. When our little ones arrived, we opted for a meal box subscription from local products. Not only did this provide more time now that groceries were delivered, but it also just took away the stress around meal planning and the question of “What are we going to eat?”, and it was delicious, quick and healthy! A voucher for one or more meal boxes is something young parents will really appreciate!
– Gift a worry-free dinner out or a cozy night in with takeout from a favorite local restaurant. These kinds of dates are highly valued by new parents. If you’re a family member and feel comfortable with it, offer to take care of the baby while they go out. Going out as a parent often comes with the challenge of finding a babysitter, so your help can make a huge difference!
– If you’re a good cook, consider gifting a homemade meal that you can freeze for later, such as an oven dish, homemade lasagna, mashed potatoes, or their favorite meat from the butcher, a batch of bolognaise sauce, soup… Alternatively, assembling a basket full of their favorite snacks is also a great idea. Include nutritious options like hummus, carrots and small toast. Ideal also as a snack while breastfeeding!
Probably the most necessary gift: rest
– Time and help: Offer an afternoon dedicated to helping with household chores or babysitting. From my own experience as a parent of three, I can’t stress enough how valuable it is to step in and help new parents with daily tasks. You can offer your help to do laundry, prepare meals, or simply hold the baby while the parents take a much-needed nap or enjoy a long, uninterrupted shower. This kind of support is incredibly meaningful during the hectic first weeks with a newborn.
– Sleepovers for siblings: If the family has older children, suggest they stay overnight with you. This gesture can significantly reduce the parents’ load, allowing them to focus solely on the newborn. With one less child in the house for a night, you can provide a breather for tired parents, helping them to recharge.
Gifts for self-care:
– Spa voucher: A day at a spa or a relaxing massage can be a refreshing experience for young parents. I remember how wonderful it was to go to a spa after endless nights. It was like hitting a reset button on my fatigue and some time to myself was so welcome.
– Gift a moment out: Plan an outing for parents so they can take a moment to focus back on each other instead of just being mom and dad. This can be a yoga session, visiting a city, an evening at the movies, anything that allows them to take a break from parenthood and recharge their batteries.
Gestures like these can contribute significantly to the well-being of young parents and help them take a breather during this profound phase of life. By caring for parents, they can be better parents to their little ones. So, you are doing both a gift 😊
Lots of love,
Sarah
