2011 Gift Guide: For the mamas

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…

image

2.) A pedicure gift certificate. These are always oh so appreciated… but even more so when you can’t reach your toes.

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.

snoogle

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.”

us

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:

image Source

image 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.

necklace

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.

kindle

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?

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33 Comments

  1. Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn on November 28, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    I mean, duh, you need the Kate Spade bag. #prioritiespeople

    • Fitnessista on November 28, 2011 at 4:42 pm

      twist my arm… 🙂

  2. Georgia on November 28, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    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

  3. Julia on November 28, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    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!

    • Fitnessista on November 28, 2011 at 4:50 pm

      thank you, julia!
      it’s been such an amazing, fun, weird, exciting time… i’ve loved blogging about it so far 🙂
      xoxo

  4. devyn on November 28, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    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… 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 28, 2011 at 5:10 pm

      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.

      • Angie E on November 28, 2011 at 5:51 pm

        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

        • Jill on November 28, 2011 at 9:35 pm

          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!

          • Fitnessista on November 28, 2011 at 9:53 pm

            i think so, too. it’s not like i’m drinking it, and usually use sally hansen or opi anyway 🙂



  5. Lauren on November 28, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Adorable! My hubby got me a necklace with my baby’s birthstone in it for my first mother’s day! Another great idea!

  6. Stacey on November 28, 2011 at 5:32 pm

    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!!

  7. Sara on November 28, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    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.

  8. Sara on November 28, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    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).

  9. Anita on November 28, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    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!

  10. Megan @ On The Road Again on November 28, 2011 at 5:42 pm

    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!

  11. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga on November 28, 2011 at 7:12 pm

    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!

  12. Heather on November 28, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    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! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 28, 2011 at 8:46 pm

      hopefully the snoogle will help! it’s AMAZING
      haha glad you liked that 😉

  13. Suzi @ Confessions of a Fitness Instructor on November 28, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    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! 😉

    • Fitnessista on November 28, 2011 at 8:46 pm

      i’m so glad i have all of you to back me up- i bought it this afternoon 🙂

      • Laury @ thefitnessdish on November 28, 2011 at 9:19 pm

        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!

        • Fitnessista on November 28, 2011 at 9:54 pm

          and such a good deal, too……

      • Suzi @ Confessions of a Fitness Instructor on November 28, 2011 at 10:28 pm

        My heart can now rest happy tonight! 😀 Yay for great deals on awesome designer diaper bags!

  14. Ashley @ For Two Fitness on November 28, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    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! 🙂

  15. Steph on November 28, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    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.

  16. Ali on November 29, 2011 at 10:47 am

    I LOVE the pedicure idea! And Etsy is amazing! I got a pair of harem pants off of there and they are awesome.

  17. Ali on November 29, 2011 at 10:47 am

    I LOVE the pedicure idea! And Etsy is amazing! I got a pair of harem pants off of there and they are awesome.

  18. Debbie on November 29, 2011 at 11:03 am

    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! 🙂

  19. Amy@healthyhungryhappy.com on November 29, 2011 at 11:38 am

    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!

  20. Caroline on November 29, 2011 at 1:29 pm
    • Fitnessista on November 29, 2011 at 5:47 pm

      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

  21. Sarah @ See Sarah Eat on November 30, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    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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