Becoming a parent is hard and to be rudely frank, getting unwanted stuff in your house makes it harder. I know women become new moms all year round, but if anyone in your life will be welcoming a baby into their home this holiday season, here are some recommendations for practical and indulgent gifts.
Cribsheet by Emily Oster
This book calmed me the heck down after having Luke. It offers data on all the controversial things that are thrown your way as a new parent and makes you feel like less of a failure in the meantime.
This book calmed me the heck down after having Luke. It offers data on all the controversial things that are thrown your way as a new parent and makes you feel like less of a failure in the meantime.
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
I love Kendra’s podcast and have yet to get into her book yet, but I’m sure it is great and full of tips and tricks to make life easier for the new mom in your life.
I love Kendra’s podcast and have yet to get into her book yet, but I’m sure it is great and full of tips and tricks to make life easier for the new mom in your life.
How to Talk So Little Kids Listen by Julie King and Joanna Faber
This is my guiding light through the terrible 2s right now. It’s hard stuff, but I wish I’d read it before Luke could talk back to me.
As you will read in a second, I have a lot of feelings about post-partum hair. I don’t have great hair or even know how to style my hair regularly, but the feelings are big and I will now project them onto you, dear reader. Welcome to Motherhood: Hair Edition.
This is my guiding light through the terrible 2s right now. It’s hard stuff, but I wish I’d read it before Luke could talk back to me.
As you will read in a second, I have a lot of feelings about post-partum hair. I don’t have great hair or even know how to style my hair regularly, but the feelings are big and I will now project them onto you, dear reader. Welcome to Motherhood: Hair Edition.
Ponytail Hat
If your new mom has ponytail length hair, it will now live in a ponytail. It will get greasy from all those times she doesn't wash it; so, get a comfortable hat that accommodates any actual ponytail.
If your new mom has ponytail length hair, it will now live in a ponytail. It will get greasy from all those times she doesn't wash it; so, get a comfortable hat that accommodates any actual ponytail.
Hair Drying Towel (Black-owned business)
If your new mom has time to blow dry her hair, her baby will probably be afraid of the loud sound and she won’t do it anyway. Find a great towel to keep wet hair in place and helps it dry without breakage.
If your new mom has time to blow dry her hair, her baby will probably be afraid of the loud sound and she won’t do it anyway. Find a great towel to keep wet hair in place and helps it dry without breakage.
Kerastase Genesis Hair Strengthening Serum
That breakage I just mentioned is really detrimental because if your new mom has hair of any length, it is about to fall out. This serum has actually seemed to help my post-partum hair loss. It is $$$ and I am embarrassed that I purchased it, but it would make a great gift.
That breakage I just mentioned is really detrimental because if your new mom has hair of any length, it is about to fall out. This serum has actually seemed to help my post-partum hair loss. It is $$$ and I am embarrassed that I purchased it, but it would make a great gift.
Living Proof Dry Shampoo
I mentioned the unwashed hair getting greasy, this will combat the grease. I’m throwing another expensive haircare product your way, but consider this an indulgent gift. And advise your new mom to put this in before bed, total game changer in the fight against dirty looking hair.
I could do a whole post on my take on the mom uniform — which has changed since child number 2 came onto the scene. Here are some gift ideas for keeping your new mom’s bod contained and comfortable!
I mentioned the unwashed hair getting greasy, this will combat the grease. I’m throwing another expensive haircare product your way, but consider this an indulgent gift. And advise your new mom to put this in before bed, total game changer in the fight against dirty looking hair.
I could do a whole post on my take on the mom uniform — which has changed since child number 2 came onto the scene. Here are some gift ideas for keeping your new mom’s bod contained and comfortable!
High Rise Leggings with Pockets
These are my leggings of choice. I am an Eddie Bauer fangirl and love that these leggings keep my stomach under control and my phone at the ready. I feel the company has done a great job with its commitment to anti-racism and diversity this year too.
These are my leggings of choice. I am an Eddie Bauer fangirl and love that these leggings keep my stomach under control and my phone at the ready. I feel the company has done a great job with its commitment to anti-racism and diversity this year too.
Trailblazer T-Shirt
Momming is hard work. These t-shirts are fun, colorful, and can be great reminders of all the awesome women (and mothers) that have led the way.
Momming is hard work. These t-shirts are fun, colorful, and can be great reminders of all the awesome women (and mothers) that have led the way.
Tunic Sweatshirt
New babies are working out days and nights; so, your new mom is right there with them. I like a shirt that I can wear during the day and feel good about sleeping in too. Pair this tunic with the leggings and the uniform is complete.
New babies are working out days and nights; so, your new mom is right there with them. I like a shirt that I can wear during the day and feel good about sleeping in too. Pair this tunic with the leggings and the uniform is complete.
Ankle Grip Socks
New moms walk around a lot and at all hours of the day. Comfortable socks that won’t let you fall on the kitchen floor in the middle of the night are a must. And if you’ve ever listened to a podcast (any podcast, haha), you know that Bombas makes great socks and they give back too.
New moms walk around a lot and at all hours of the day. Comfortable socks that won’t let you fall on the kitchen floor in the middle of the night are a must. And if you’ve ever listened to a podcast (any podcast, haha), you know that Bombas makes great socks and they give back too.
Waist Pack
There is a reason that mom jeans and fanny packs exist…because they make so much sense. I have my eye on this bag to wear around the house and for outings. Maybe someday I will even be cool enough to wear it as a cross-body, but probably not.
There is a reason that mom jeans and fanny packs exist…because they make so much sense. I have my eye on this bag to wear around the house and for outings. Maybe someday I will even be cool enough to wear it as a cross-body, but probably not.
Mesh Laundry Bags
New moms, particularly breastfeeding ones, have new accessories in their lives that get eaten by the washing machine. Help them out with a few (more) mesh laundry bags. These become great diaper bag organizers too.
New moms, particularly breastfeeding ones, have new accessories in their lives that get eaten by the washing machine. Help them out with a few (more) mesh laundry bags. These become great diaper bag organizers too.
Big Straw Cup
When there are little people around it is unlikely that your new mom will get to her drink in time to enjoy it hot or cold as desired. A great insulated cup with a straw is a really helpful gift.
When there are little people around it is unlikely that your new mom will get to her drink in time to enjoy it hot or cold as desired. A great insulated cup with a straw is a really helpful gift.
Multi-Charging Cable
There are phones, e-readers, tablets, breast pumps, and other appliances that never seemed to be juiced up as needed. A few of these cables would make a great gift to keep at the ready.
There are phones, e-readers, tablets, breast pumps, and other appliances that never seemed to be juiced up as needed. A few of these cables would make a great gift to keep at the ready.
Burt’s Bees Overnight Lip Treatment
When self-care seems to be out the window, lip balm is the easy answer. Putting on lip balm feels like a quick luxury and this lip treatment makes me feel like I’m taking self-care seriously.
When self-care seems to be out the window, lip balm is the easy answer. Putting on lip balm feels like a quick luxury and this lip treatment makes me feel like I’m taking self-care seriously.
Lactation Cookies
I’ll be honest, I don’t think that these cookies truly support lactation. I do think they support tired women who want to eat and eat and eat. These were gifted to me and I enjoyed every bite.
I’ll be honest, I don’t think that these cookies truly support lactation. I do think they support tired women who want to eat and eat and eat. These were gifted to me and I enjoyed every bite.
Milestone Baby Photo Cards
The idea of managing a baby book during Luke’s first year still gives me anxiety. My mom got me this great set of cards that I could use to snap a quick photo with Luke (and now JJ) and keep a digital record of firsts.
The idea of managing a baby book during Luke’s first year still gives me anxiety. My mom got me this great set of cards that I could use to snap a quick photo with Luke (and now JJ) and keep a digital record of firsts.
Tayu
We played a lot of board games before having kids. We just don’t now and it’s a true bummer. Our only go-tos are Scrabble and Tayu. We played it with some dear friends years ago and found it to be quick, not too intense, and importantly playable with one hand. Note, it has gone in and out of production; so, it can be pricey.
We played a lot of board games before having kids. We just don’t now and it’s a true bummer. Our only go-tos are Scrabble and Tayu. We played it with some dear friends years ago and found it to be quick, not too intense, and importantly playable with one hand. Note, it has gone in and out of production; so, it can be pricey.
Framebridge Gift Card
We take a million photos and we’ve gotten better about printing some, but we certainly haven’t taken the time to nicely frame kid or family photos. Gifting your new mom a certificate to Framebridge, where she can upload a photo directly for printing and framing makes the task see so much less daunting.
We take a million photos and we’ve gotten better about printing some, but we certainly haven’t taken the time to nicely frame kid or family photos. Gifting your new mom a certificate to Framebridge, where she can upload a photo directly for printing and framing makes the task see so much less daunting.
