With Mother’s Day coming up, I’ve been reflecting on my own experience becoming a mom just over two years ago. Much of those early days is a blur, but a few super thoughtful gifts from friends and family really stuck with me—both in terms of gestures to make my life easier and the occasional self care goodies to make me feel comfortable with all this time spent at home with all my energy going toward baby. Below, I’m sharing some of the best gifts for new moms (in my opinion). And not the typical baby registry items (which are totally important!), but gifts that feel personal and more focused on her. We love color and boldness, so this guide is perfect for the maximalist mom who deserves a little extra joy.
17 gifts for new moms that don’t have to do with baby
ResortPass Gift Card, Striped Linen Pajama Set, Nécessaire Body Essentials Set, Lemon Rose Bath Bomb, Striped Hommey Robe, Ember Mug, Large Silk Scrunchie Set, Drowsy Silk Sleep Eye Mask, Apéritif in Bloom 500 Piece Puzzle, Counter Culture Coffee (pro tip: gift a subscription!), Bathing Culture Body Wash, MÆGEN Orange Blossom & Basil Candle, Hatch Sound Machine, How About Now Poetry Book by Kate Baer
Sometimes experiences or gestures can be the most thoughtful kind of gift for new moms. A week after I gave birth, my best friend and her family brought over brunch, including the most delicious vanilla & cardamom rolls from Sparrow Bakery. My husband Brett and I didn’t have much energy to socialize, but being with close friends (who also understood what we were going through) was just what we needed. A few weeks later, on my birthday, that same bestie came by with wine and pasta. It was a perfect little break before my middle-of-the-night shift with baby. Someone told me that adult interaction keeps you sane in early motherhood and they weren’t kidding. 🙂
For Christmas that year when baby was just two months old, my sister-in-law Kelly gifted Brett and me two vouchers for *overnight* childcare that we could redeem anytime. Losing sleep was the toughest part about becoming parents, so having someone come over to watch the baby monitor for us was extremely generous.
Aside from sleep and food (which I deem the absolute bests gifts for a new mom hehe), another exciting gift is offering her a trip to a day spa! With ResortPass, you can buy a day pass to a luxury hotel and enjoy amenities without booking a room. Once a new mom is ready to spend a few hours apart from the baby, a little self-care and time away from the house can make a huge difference in energy and mental wellness.
I love puzzles and I even run a puzzle business, but after giving birth, I had no time for them. Once my baby was asleep, I usually had to sneak in a nap myself (although “sleeping while the baby sleeps” is never enough). My solution was mini puzzles or a 500-piece puzzle like Apéritif in Bloom by artist Elsa Eleni. Jigsaw puzzles are perfect for a little quiet, restorative “me time” whenever it’s possible.
Until recently, we lived in a house with bedrooms all really close to the living room so it was hard to get a quiet nap. I ended up stealing my baby’s Hatch sound machine for my own naps, and eventually I bought my own. We have an older version but the Hatch Restore 3 looks amazing.
I never knew I could love a pillow so much! During pregnancy, I bought Casper Backrest Pillow and dare I say it changed my life. You can use it for extra support while sleeping or as a backrest while sitting up in bed, reading, working (sometimes working from bed is a must), or breastfeeding if you choose. We are such fans of this pillow, Brett ended up getting one for himself.
Baby carriers like the Tushbaby Hip Carrier are technically for the baby but truly life-changing for moms (and dads too). I bought mine when my kiddo turned one, but I wish I would’ve purchased it a lot sooner. It saved my back especially on long walks in the airport and at outings like the zoo, when we didn’t want to keep getting him in and out of his stroller.
Becoming a mom is full of surprises and challenges, and thoughtful gifts (big or small) and make these earlier days feel more joyful and manageable. These gift ideas are all about giving a new mom a moment to rest, recharge, and feel celebrated. Looking for a pretty mother’s day card too? Shop our mother’s day card favorites here!
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