Our series “A Gift for Gifting” walks you through how to show your generosity and thoughtfulness to all the special people in your life. These gifts for new parents include everything they need to stay on their game — from coffee to diapers to gourmet food.
When I was an exhausted, barely functioning new mom, my favorite gifts were the ones that were out of the ordinary, useful, and fun. For example, I got a huge fruit basket that made healthy snacking easy, as well as noise-canceling headphones. I also received a beautifully presented diaper cake — I know, it sounds weird! It looks like a wedding cake and is a clever way to present diapers and other baby goodies. It was unique and practical, and I loved it.
My advice? Leave the ordinary gifts to others and think outside the box when buying a gift for new parents. To make your life easier, I created a shopping guide packed with unique and exciting gift suggestions, from a personalized crate filled with gorgeous organic baby items to everything Mom and Dad need for a date night at home.
Baby essentials bundle
If you’re looking for a memorable gift, you can’t go wrong with this Comfy Baby Newborn Basket. This unique and adorable collection comes with everything a baby needs, including swaddling blankets, cozy booties, a plush bear toy, and a bib. Everything’s nestled in a charming basket, and the set comes in either pink or blue.
Breakfast bagels
When you have a newborn, there’s barely time to do anything — even eat breakfast. The Davidovich Bakery Bagel Assortment is a different type of gift and a treat for an overwhelmed mom, who is sometimes overlooked when baby arrives. It includes 20 gourmet bagels in four popular flavors.
Coffee sampler pack
For weary new parents in need of a caffeine hit, a three-month subscription to a Harry & David Coffee Sampler 6-Pack is probably the best gift you can get. The ground coffee is made from Arabica beans and comes in tantalizing flavors, such as Moose Munch, tiramisu, and caramel pecan. Each bag makes a pot of coffee for two.
Fruit basket
As an exhausted new parent, it’s easy to load up on sugary snacks when you’re tired. I admit, I often found myself reaching for the nearest chocolate bar or cookie. The Premier Orchard Fruit Gift Basket gives parents healthy, delicious treats to munch on. The cute wicker gift basket is filled with apples, oranges, pears, and other fresh fruits direct from California.
Organic baby set
Parents of newborns love gifts tailored to their own baby, such as this Personalized “I’ve Arrived” Organics Baby Crate. The wooden crate has chalkboard sides on which you can write the baby’s name, and is filled with practical organic items, such as alpaca booties, leggings, a teething ring, and a washcloth. You can even choose from a variety of adorable forest-themed designs: honeybees, sloths, lions, or bunnies, for example.
Brunch to go
Looking after a newborn can take up every waking minute, especially in the first few months. Treat new parents who might be struggling to cook with something delicious and easy to eat, such as the Eggs Benedict Brunch. The ready-prepared meal includes muffins, Canadian-style bacon, hollandaise sauce mix, maple-glazed rolls, and even coffee (an essential for the sleepless!).
Ready-to-bake dinner for two
Treat new parents to a decadent dinner that’s ready to stick in the oven. The Filet Mignon Dinner for Two includes two bacon-wrapped filet mignons, plus two sides. It also comes with a delicious chocolate cake and heaps of appetizers, perfect for late-night snacking.
Bath time collection
As a new parent, I loved getting unique gifts, especially ones I could use for years to come. The Farmhouse Friends 4-piece Bath Time Bucket includes a bucket with a pink piggy bath mitt, cow hooded towel, and super-cute spa booties.
Healthy snacks
Sleepless nights can lead to carb cravings…which can put you on the fast track to unhealthy snacks. New parents will love munching on the Copper Canyon Sweet & Savory Nuts Assortment when they need a pick-me-up. It comes with a wooden tray filled with dark-chocolate-covered almonds, roasted pistachios, and more.
Gourmet treats
The best gifts are the ones that keep in mind everyone in the household. This assortment of six gourmet buttercream frosted cookies comes with a teddy bear for the little one. Another version of this set comes with a plush fox. Snacks and toys…two things new parents desperately need.
Diaper cake
Wow someone who’s just had a baby boy with a gift they’ll never forget — a diaper cake! This New Baby Boy Gift Basket Grand Essentials, wrapped in tulle, is as unique as they come. The extravagant three-tier “cake” is overflowing with newborn essentials, such as disposable diapers, socks, washcloths, plush toys, and a whole lot more.
Spa set
It’s important to remind the baby’s mom of just how special she is, and a great way to do that is with the Beekman 1802 Milk Carton Spa Set. This stylish vanilla-scented set contains goat-milk hand cream and cuticle cream to pamper hands, plus two bars of soap.
Wellness set
Self-care is so important for every new mom, but it can be hard to make time for yourself. Make it easier with this Relaxing Self-care Gift Box. It includes mineral bath salts, scented hand cream, a scented candle, a pair of cozy socks. and a sleep mask.
The gift of sleep
Any sleep-deprived new mom will appreciate a gift that helps her catch some Z’s. The Sonoma Eucalyptus Gift Set includes a weighted blanket, an eye mask, and a eucalyptus-scented soy candle. It’s just what she needs to make her feel warm and cozy, and she’ll be drifting off in no time.
Storage tote
Any new parent will tell you that you can never have enough storage for baby clothes and supplies. The Personalized Embroidered Storage Tote is the ideal gift, as it’s functional, looks stylish in any room, and can also be personalized with the baby’s name. It also comes in four colors.
