Giving a gift specifically for the mom-to-be is a refreshing way to acknowledge just how special she is, as well as to celebrate the upcoming birth. Maybe you want pregnancy gifts for first-time moms or gift ideas for a mom-to-be that already has kids. From a practical gift that tells an expecting mom you're thinking of her, to something sentimental for the special pregnant woman in your life, there are dozens of great gift ideas.
Pampering Gifts
Pregnancy takes a huge toll on a woman physically, mentally, and emotionally. A pampering gift will be a highly appreciated one. Allowing the soon-to-be-mom to take time to relax and feel refreshed during such a busy phase of her life is a special gift. If you are looking for gift ideas for a pregnant friend, a pampering one makes a great option.
Prenatal Massage Gift Card
A massage gift card can be a welcome pampering gift during the sometimes stressful prenatal period. Look for a certified massage therapist that specializes in prenatal massage.
Spa Gift Card
Give a spa gift card for a facial, manicure, pedicure, or other treatment. A spa gift card for a beauty treatment is a gift any woman would love, but particularly during pregnancy when women can use an extra boost. Look for facilities in your area that cater specifically to pregnant women (such as La Bella Belly Pregnancy Spa), or consider a spa that uses natural or organic products.
Stretch Mark Cream
Consider giving stretch mark cream, oil, or a kit. Stretch marks are common during pregnancy, but using products designed to help soothe and reduce stretch marks can help. Products can be purchased individually or in a kit, such as The Spoiled Mama's Stretch Mark Prevention Kit with vegan Tummy Butter and Bump Oil (about $95), or the Mambino Anti-Stretch and Rebound Skin Duo with oh baby! belly butter and moisture me toning oil (about $30).
Maternity Clothing
Another option is maternity clothing or a gift card. Help the lucky mom to select a cute new outfit to boost her spirits and help her look her best with fashionable maternity clothes. Purchase a versatile item of clothing, like the stylish yet comfortable Black Striped Cami Strap Maternity Dress from Pink Blush (about $60), or give a gift card for a specialty maternity retailer.
Prenatal Yoga
A mom-to-be may love a gift of prenatal yoga classes or DVD. A prenatal yoga class or DVD, such as Shiva Rea's Prenatal Yoga (under $10), which can be modified for each trimester, will result in helping the mother-to-be to relieve stress, tension, and sore muscles.
Babymoon
If you can afford to give an expensive gift, consider gifting a "Babymoon" or trip for the couple prior to the birth. If you need ideas, check at travel agency locally or online. Some travel companies or travel agents offer different babymoon packages, such as Jet Blue and Travel by Stephanie. If you have a specific location in mind, check the area's resorts because many individual resorts also offer babymoon deals. Keep in mind that this gift is best given earlier in the pregnancy, as some health care providers may restrict travel in the third trimester.
Food and Drink
Food gifts can be good choices for a pregnant woman; however, be sure to take into consideration special circumstances, such as gestational diabetes, morning sickness, and allergies.
Cravings Basket
Get a few ideas from hubby of what the mom-to-be is craving, or fill a basket with traditional items associated with cravings, such as pickles, chocolate, and fruit. Add a gift certificate for a local ice cream shop for the finishing touch.
Expecting Mother's Tea
Tea can be a soothing evening or morning drink, but many women forego caffeinated versions during pregnancy. A nice choice for a gift would be a tea specially formulated for expecting women, such as Earth Mama Peaceful Mama Tea (about $10), an organic blend with calming ingredients like lemon balm and red raspberry leaf.
Mocktails
Give a book filled with non-alcoholic mocktails, such as Margarita Mama's Mocktails for Moms-to-Be (under $12), or simply find a recipe or two for an alcohol-free cocktail and gift the recipe along with ingredients for the drink.
Restaurant Gift Certificates
Get a gift card or certificate for her favorite restaurant to allow her to indulge in cravings or simply get a night off from cooking.
Sentimental Gifts
A sentimental or keepsake gift can be a beautiful and cherished expression of your love for the expecting mom. These make good options if you are looking for sentimental gifts for a pregnant sister, other family member, or close friend.
Mother's Jewelry
An item like a stackable ring (prices vary depending on style) that includes the birthstone of the expected little one, or a symbolic piece with a mother and baby like this No Greater Love Pendant (about $249), can be a sweet and sentimental symbol of the new family. For dads-to-be looking for birthday gifts for a pregnant wife from her husband, special jewelry makes a great choice.
Maternity Photo Shoot
The months before the baby is due are filled with joy, excitement, and changes as the baby grows, and many women love to have maternity photos to remember this special time. If you have a DSLR camera or are good at taking photos, you could even offer to do this yourself.
Belly Cast
Although this gift may be out of the ordinary, women who enjoy keepsakes may love a kit like the ProudBody Belly Cast Kit (about $25).
Sonogram Photo Frame
A sonogram is the next best thing until a mother can see her baby face-to-face, so consider a cute frame like the Watch Me Grow Sonogram Frame (under $15).
Fun Gifts
Sometimes a fun gift can be exactly the right choice for a shower or just because. Try one of these gifts for a newly pregnant friend or family member.
Belly Buds
A fun and unique gift idea, Belly Buds (about $35) are a sound system designed to allow a growing baby to listen to music and voices via special speakers that are gently affixed to the mother's tummy.
Belly Stickers or Tattoos
Temporary belly tattoos or stickers, such as Sticky Bellies Pregnancy Milestone Stickers (around $14) or ProudBody Temporary Tummy Tats ($5 and up) are a particularly fun gift for those women who take frequent photos during pregnancy, or those who want to mark milestones of prenatal development.
Personalized Maternity Shirt
A fun maternity shirt personalized with the birth month, due date, or other customization, such as the customizable maternity shirts from Zoey's Attic, makes a fun gift choice to show the new mom-to-be how much you care.
Practical and Time-Saving Gifts
Time is a precious commodity to women who are expecting, so gifts involving time, services, or a way to make her life less complicated are thoughtful sentiments. There are also many gifts, such as the gift of your time, that are free and still show you care.
Gifts for Morning Sickness
In the first trimester, and sometimes beyond, many women suffer from morning sickness. If you are looking for early pregnancy gifts, a nice card and a small gift such as Sea-Bands ($12 and up) or Three Lollies Preggie Pops (available at places like Target for under $7) are a thoughtful gesture.
Kit or Items for at the Hospital
A pre-designed kit for the hospital, such as the Pre-packed Hospital Labor Bag from My Pure Delivery (around $149) or The Ultimate Labor Kit (about $70) from Belly Bandits, come with a variety of items to help the new mom during and after labor. You can also create a kit yourself by filling a bag with items like light snacks, lip balm, hair ties or stretchy headbands, and gripper socks or slippers. Include a printable packing list for labor and delivery so she can add any other necessities.
Cute Hospital Gown
The gowns provided by the hospital are often ill-fitting and uncomfortable. A woman may appreciate her own hospital gown, such as a Gownies pretty hospital-approved gown or Baby Be Mine hospital gown. Prices vary based on style and size.
Journals, Books, or Magazines
Reading and writing materials are great for women to celebrate the new life in their life. Consider gifting a special journal for her to record prenatal memories, books to help her prepare for her new arrival, such as Beth Ann Fennelly's Great with Child: Letters to a Young Mother (under $15) or a magazine subscription to a magazine such as Pregnancy & Newborn (subscriptions start at $16).
House Cleaning
Either an offer to help clean and organize in preparation for the baby or a certificate for a local cleaning company to help do the dirty work are thoughtful ideas.
Meals
Many people bring meals after the baby is born, but a homemade meal can be a nice gift during the pregnancy, as well, particularly in the third trimester when women are often fatigued.
Babysitting or Errand Running
If the expecting mom has other children, an offer to help with the other children or run errands for her can be a priceless gift. Create homemade 'coupons' for these offers and place inside a congratulatory card.
Gifts for Rest and Relaxation
Fatigue and insomnia often occur during pregnancy, so items that help a woman to rest can be great choices.
Body Pillows
A body pillow, such as the Snoogle by Leachco (priced about $60), is excellent for providing back and tummy support to help her rest.
Sleep Wedges
A sleep wedge like the Boppy Pregnancy Wedge (under $20) provides concentrated support for the back and belly, and is lightweight and portable enough to take anywhere.
Recliner or Rocking Chair With Footstool
If you want to spend a little more on your gift, a nice recliner, rocking chair, or glider with a footstool like the Dutailier Sleigh Glider with Comfort Cushions (around $630)) can provide the expectant mother a comfortable place to relax and possibly sleep. Those looking for Christmas gifts for pregnant women may want to consider an option like this.
Comfortable Robe or Loungewear
A comfortable maternity robe or gown, or loungewear like maternity leggings, can do double duty to keep mommy comfortable for both during the pregnancy and after the baby is born.
Slippers or Slipper Socks
Find out her size and grab and pair of comfy slippers or slipper socks for the expectant lady in your life. Look for a style that has some traction on the bottom, such as Labor and Delivery Slipper Socks (about $13) from Milk & Baby, to prevent any slipping or falling.
Places to Shop
There is a wide selection of places to shop for gifts for pregnant women. Check the maternity and newborn sections of department stores like Walmart, Target, or shop at stores specifically designed to carry maternity items, such as the following.
- The Spoiled Mama: Luxury maternity skin and health items are sold at The Spoiled Mama, including morning sickness items, maternity skin care, bath and body items, teas, and gift sets.
- Earth Mama Angel Baby: A wide variety of organic products for pregnancy are available at Earth Mama Angel Baby, including teas, soaps, lotions, stretch mark prevention, lip balms, and gift sets.
- Noodle and Boo: Noodle and Boo carries a celebrity-endorsed line of skin care 'For the Mama,' including body wash, balm, oil, soap, and lotion.
- Due Maternity: A full line of stylish maternity clothing, including many active wear pieces, is sold here, as well as skin care items, books, and journals.
- A Pea in the Pod: With maternity clothes as spotted on celebrities, this shop is a popular one. Also available are items such as skin care, nutrition bars, morning sickness aids, books, and pillows.
- Motherhood Maternity: Motherhood has a range of clothing, including the Bump Start affordable fashion line, so giving a gift card for this store means the new mom can get more for her money. They also carry the Snoogle and Boppy pillows, as well as a range of other maternity aids.
- Pink Blush Maternity: This specialty boutique dedicated to maternity clothes that are flirty and feminine also carries fun, stylish jewelry and accessories for the expecting woman.
- Lifetime Mothers: Beautiful mother's jewelry is available here, including mother and child designs, birthstone mother's jewelry, and many items that can be engraved or customized with things like the baby's due date.
Celebrating Maternity and Motherhood
The nine months a woman spends nurturing a child in her womb are a special time. Celebrate the new life and encourage the pregnant woman in your life with a gift that is especially for her.
