Need a gift for new parents (and their little one)? Unless you’re in the thick of newborn life yourself, it’s not always obvious what will actually be helpful. If they have a Registry, great. But if not, that’s where we come in, with thoughtful gift inspiration to help you show up in a meaningful way during this beautiful but often overwhelming season.
10. Sleep Aid Soft Toys 
As adorable as they are, cuddly toys aren’t the most useful for a new baby. Consider something with a practical function as well, such as a Cloud B toy which also works as a nightlight and sound machine. The Snoogy Bunnies double as a heat pack, so are both cuddly and comforting.
9. Clothing
Parents are often gifted a lot of cute baby clothes. That certainly isn’t a bad thing (it’s great to have options on hand for those frequent messes), but you can help even more by choosing something that doesn't just look stylish. Consider quality fabrics like merino or organic cotton that will hold up through wear and washes (and can be passed down to future little ones), and go for garments with simple closures like zips, drawstrings, and snaps.
Gifting clothes in bigger sizes (3 or 6 months) can also be a good idea as parents may be given a lot of newborn outfits.
8. Just for Mum
Buying for a new baby can be a lot of fun, but don’t forget the mum doing all of the hard work to bring baby into the world. While a gift wrapped perineal wash bottle might be a little too personal, thoughtful gifts like a pregnancy skincare set or moisturising hand gel are both beautiful and practical. Try to avoid doubling up on common items by gifting something unique, like a wearable heating pack.
7. A Self care treat
Sometimes, more stuff isn’t the best option. If the new parents-to-be have already ticked off their registry, a bit of self care can be the perfect treat. Give your friends and family a great excuse to take time for themselves, with a spa day, massage, or mani-pedi. Not only does it help them feel their best, relaxation has a lot of benefits for baby too!
6. The practical essentials
Sometimes you can be most helpful by ticking off some of the everyday essentials. Opt for things you can never have too many of. Think sheets, wraps, and washcloths that need to be cycled through the washing machine, or consumables like nappies and wipes.
5. Toys to grow into
If you want to get something fun for baby, try looking at toys with an educational benefit. Things like stackable blocks and tactile activity books can help with baby’s motor development and senses, while also being lots of fun to play with. Make sure to check the age guidelines, and avoid anything with lots of small pieces. Books are also a great learning tool, and can be treasured for many years as baby grows.
4. Reduce their load
It’s hard to slow down and focus on bub when you have an endless list of things that need to get done. Instead of guessing what they might need, take some things off their plate by putting something on it, with a subscription to a meal kit service, some frozen meals to keep for later, or food delivery vouchers for takeaways. Better yet, you could bring over some delicious homemade dinners during those early weeks with the baby.
3. A memento or keepsake
Through the whirlwind of pregnancy and caring for a newborn, it can be easy to forget how precious this time is. Keepsakes like clay imprint kits, or journals and record books can help parents to save those special memories for years to come.
2. A voucher is always appreciated
If you’re still not sure what to get, a voucher might be the perfect present. With lots of essentials to buy and the pressure of a new addition to the household, your gift can contribute to a larger purchase, help with all of those little necessities, or give the new parents an excuse to splurge on something fun. Make sure it’s one that, like our Dimples vouchers, can be used both in person and online, to give your loved ones a range of options.
1. the gift of time
At the end of the day, what new parents need the most is time. Time to themselves, couple time, and quality time with baby are all incredibly important. Offer to come over and watch the baby while they shower, catch up on sleep, or relax. If you’re visiting, take some time to do the dishes for them or run a load of laundry, or book a cleaning service for them. Showing up for the people you care about is the best gift of all.
If you need help picking out a gift, we’re here to help. Come visit us in store in Auckland or Christchurch, or reach out online.
