This morning, I posted a little gift guide on the main page, but thought it would be fun to do a smaller one for moms-to-be and new mamas.
Here are some of the ideas I came up with:
1.) A chic diaper bag or tote
This Kate Spade one is on sale today for $179.. I think I need it…
2.) A pedicure gift certificate. These are always oh so appreciated… but even more so when you can’t reach your toes.
Another option: prenatal massage….
3.) A Snoogle pillow. This may seem like a weird gift idea, but I promise that it’s a lifesaver for a pregnant chica. I even took mine to hotels with me and it helped my hip pain immensely. Tom will always hate it, but I will always love it.
4.) A For Two Fitness tank. I ordered two (a purple and a pink) during the first trimester, and have worn them countless times. They’re a fun conversation starter –so many people will come up and say “I love your shirt!”- and early on, it helped to make it more obvious that I was indeed “with child”, instead of “with food baby.”
5.) Jewelry! It always fits 
Go for a unique bangle, long necklace (which helps create an elongating effect with a baby belly) or gorgeous earrings.
Express always has amazing inexpensive finds:
My maxi dress cuff- I wear it all the time
or even a more sentimental piece of jewelry, like this beautiful mama and baby pearl necklace my friend Jenna sent when we first found out we were expecting.
It made me cry when I opened it and I love wearing it- you can find them on Etsy
6.) A Kindle. Word on the street is that you’re a 24-hour restaurant for quite a while, so having something to read and easy to update with new books is going to be amazing. I’ve had a Kindle for a little over a year, and it goes pretty much everywhere with me.
7. Help! I really think that this is going to be the best gift of all. Bringing over a hot meal, offering to watch the baby while mom takes a shower or runs an errand, company so that you don’t go crazy from speaking in baby talk all day seem like they’ll be pretty much priceless.
Cyber Monday deals:
-Aden + Anais: 25% off entire site (code: cyber2011)
-Babysteals: New steal every 2 hours!
-Baby Gap: 30% off (Code: hugecyber)
-Gymboree: 25% off everything
-Pea in a Pod: 30% off all redlines
-Rosie Pope: 30% off + free shipping (Code: THANKYOU11)
Any other gift ideas for new moms or moms-to-be?
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
I mean, duh, you need the Kate Spade bag. #prioritiespeople
twist my arm…
I was just looking at this gift idea today- baby hand and foot print ornament kit (clay molds)! I wish I had it when she was born (four months ago) and will buy it for myself. I just told my husband this would be the best baby shower idea b/c everyone wants a keepsake that you really will keep! They outgrow the cute little outfits WAY too fast.
http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=clay+handprint&category=0|All|matchallany|all+categories
Hey Gina,
you know what is really weird?! Although I’ve never met you, I C-A-N-N-O-T wait to “meet” your little one…Thanks for being so open/creative/relaxed during your pregnancy!
thank you, julia!
it’s been such an amazing, fun, weird, exciting time… i’ve loved blogging about it so far
xoxo
nail polish for a mother to be? all of those nasty chemicals are really not the best thing for someone carrying a developing baby, not to be a party pooper…
Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you need to have funky toes. There are a lot of options that have less chemicals, or you could just get the dead skin off and nails trimmed without getting them painted.
agreed with you pretty miss Gina. Now they have a brands of nail polish without the awful chemicals
Today, OPI advertisements proudly proclaim its nail polishes to be free of DBP, toluene and formaldehyde. Also, Sally Hansen advertises that they don’t use any harsh chemicals as well! I also heard Butter’s nail polishes are completely harmless. #imdoneisaidtoomuch
I think you’re probably fine no matter what nail polish you go for… It’s not like you’re snorting it. Maybe if you were mixing up a nail polish cocktail there would be some issues, but I think you’re fine with some polish on your toes!
i think so, too. it’s not like i’m drinking it, and usually use sally hansen or opi anyway
Adorable! My hubby got me a necklace with my baby’s birthstone in it for my first mother’s day! Another great idea!
Pedicures are fabulous!!!! (that minimal nailpolish isn’t going to hurt a thing, sheesh)
I saw a snoogle online while shopping for a mom to be!!
Did you see this? (it’s about airport scanners damaging Kindles, just in case you don’t have time to read, like, everything people send you).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/amazon/8900034/Amazon-Kindles-damaged-by-airport-scanners.html
Having taken my kindle across the world and back (at least 8 airport scans right there), I’m now having palpitations over taking it to Aussie next month. I loves my kindle, probably more than any other device in my life.
Oh, and thanks for this list. My cousins have gone crazy having babies lately (and I’ve got lots of cousins). I like the jewellery idea – I don’t think I can afford to splash out on five kindles (would if I could, though).
I asked for a kindle for Christmas! I have to admit, I’m not even close to a momma, but I am sure excited to (hopefully!) have one!
Love that Kate Spade bag! Every mom needs a chic diaper bag for sure. I finally buckled down and bought a Petunia Pickle Bottom one – couldn’t resist!
I’m adding to my new-mom gift list this year: a cleaning service to come clean the nasty out of my bathrooms once baby arrives, spa gift certificates, and gratis babysitting sessions so that I can get out of the house for a few hours once in a while!
Your guide is great…love the bag. Love ALL The bags you’ve been showing today….I am such a bag ‘collector’…I would love that one too. And I dont need a diaper bag any more. lol
Your #7..help. That WILL be the best gift of all. Just having someone there to watch her so you can go to the bathroom, take a shower, go outside ALONE and walk around the block for 10 mins will be a priceless gift. You are so right about that!
I am not a mother nor am I expecting, but I LOVE the ideas and have hip issues so I definitely want a snoogle… i just wanted to write though and let you know that your “with child”, instead of “with food baby.” comment made me laugh so hard!
<3 Thanks for the great blog! 
hopefully the snoogle will help! it’s AMAZING
haha glad you liked that
Gina. I’m dead serious here, you absolutely NEED that bag. I almost feel that I need the bag too but since I’m not having a baby I’m doubtful J would back up this purchase no matter how awesome it is!
i’m so glad i have all of you to back me up- i bought it this afternoon
Ugh. I need that bag! I have TWO (one I never returned and need to sell on ebay) of the Vera Bradley black baby bags but that one looks so much comfier!
and such a good deal, too……
My heart can now rest happy tonight!
Yay for great deals on awesome designer diaper bags!
Thanks Gina, for featuring our maternity workout tanks – you look great! Glad to know they’ve lasted the duration, and kept up with your serious workouts!
Seriously the best gift anyone gave me right after I had my son was a homecooked meal. With an infant, and even for the first few months (if yours is super colicky like mine was) you just do not have time to cook. Having meals brought to me that just needed to be heated up was awesome! I highly recommend making some freezer meals before you give birth, so that you have some quick options on hand for you and the hubs.
I LOVE the pedicure idea! And Etsy is amazing! I got a pair of harem pants off of there and they are awesome.
I LOVE the pedicure idea! And Etsy is amazing! I got a pair of harem pants off of there and they are awesome.
Funny…my husband always despised my snoogle pillow too…I guess they are jealous! Babysitting is the BEST gift. And there is nothing wrong with a pedicure now and then…especially when they massaged my swollen ankles…no one else would touch them!
i love that sweating for two shirt..is it weird that im not pregnant but when i am (someday) i want that shirt!! that’s such a cute idea!
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/health/research/delay-in-clamping-umbilical-cord-has-benefits-months-later.html?ref=todayspaper
Kind of nifty little piece. It’s something to think about at least.
loved reading this! it’s one of my main reasons i’d like to wait for the cord to stop pulsing instead of banking the cord blood
I’m so glad that you listed Help as one of the gift ideas. A friend of mine who recently had a baby said that the best gift you can give a new mother is bringing a cooked meal to their home
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