As the co-founder of a customized gifting company AND an 8.5 month pregnant mom with a toddler, this is a fun post for me to write. Lots of people ask me for gifting advice - and one of the top questions I get in my Mom Era is "what are the best gifts & care package ideas to send a new mom who just delivered or adopted a baby?"
Here's a curated list of ideas based on our gifting expertise at Happy Box, plus some of my personal momma experience sprinkled in.
1. Self Care Gifts for Mom
The baby gets showered in gifts, literally at the baby shower any beyond. Everyone wants to buy newborn clothes, cute bows, and fun toys over for baby, and sometimes mom is a second-thought. What mom really needs is being cared for herself! Gift her some self care items that she can easily do at home and that don't take a lot of time. For example, you can build a sweet care package full of things like: herbal tea, face sheet masks, lotion, cozy socks, chapstick, some indulgent treats like gourmet candies, and include an encouraging note (all can be done on our Gift Box Builder, by the way!). She'll probably cry happy tears opening this up that you were so intentional and thought of her.
2. Food
Repeat after me: you can never go wrong with gifting food or snacks, no matter if its day 1 or day 30 postpartum. For many families, food and meal prep becomes such a burden when you're in those early days with a new baby at home and truly anything makes a difference. I think traditionally you think of bringing over an entire meal or lasagna, but it can be so easy and simple! For example, I had a friend surprise me with croissants and iced coffee delivered to my door via Doordash a few weeks after giving birth and I literally cried tears of happiness as that random but thoughtful pick-me-up was exactly what I needed that day.
3. A Thoughtful "New Mom" Care Package
This is something we specialize in at Happy Box - custom care packages in a few clicks. Build mom a custom care package built specific for her personality and include things she loves...but don't forget something sweet, something caffeinated, something self-care related (like a candle or lotion), and a sweet card. We have hundreds of gifts to choose from sourced from amazing businesses, and our team will hand-pack your gift box and handwrite your message in a card for mom. This customized sweet gesture will go a long way.
4. Caffeine
Momma will be tired but will need to power through! There are so many ways you can deliver on a caffeine related gift: coffee shop gift cards, gourmet coffee and tea sets, a custom care package filled with caffeinated items you know she'll love, or sending coffee via her local food delivery app. Trust me, this would be a welcome treat.
5. An Encouraging Card
A simple, encouraging card saying you're proud of her, reminding her this is temporary (everything in motherhood is a phase!), and just telling her she's doing GREAT can go a long way, especially on those nights that feel never-ending as a new mom. Hearing from others who believe in you at these vulnerable and exhausted moments in any form actually - via a text, card, phone call - is such a welcome moment of connection, as being a new mom feels quite isolating. I highly recommend surprising a new momma a few weeks in with a check-in and encouraging handwritten note - it will be a welcomed surprise!
Hope this helps inspire your gifting for a new momma in your life!
Written by Hannah Redmond, Co-Founder, Happy Box