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Something to treasure forever or that thing you need to reach for right this moment? Journalist – and mom of two – Lara Kilner gives the lowdown on which presents are the ones they’ll be genuinely grateful for.
Ah, new motherhood. That heady mix of bliss, euphoria and sleep deprivation. A time to show off your beautiful bundle of joy, and to hide away in your new family cocoon. Having been a new parent twice over, my most beloved gifts fell into two camps: the precious keepsakes and the practical stuff, some of which can’t be bought in a store (I still remember the tray of homemade lasagne a friend brought; I sobbed all over the bechamel sauce).
Equally, I adored the lux candle and face cream – things that were all for me (I had just spent 12 hours in labour before major surgery, experiencing the worst of both varieties of childbirth. I deserved a candle). Friends say their most appreciated gifts were cashmere socks and cardigans, to channel some hygge while sitting on the couch, surrounded by laundry, watching Friends reruns and endlessly feeding.
A basket of muffins, posh coffee and takeaway vouchers are all gratefully received at a time when cups of cold, stewed tea and microwave meals are our main sustenance. My neighbour was given a ‘boring but useful’ hamper of things you don’t realise you need until you need them (bath thermometers, baby nail scissors, nipple cream…). Now she does the same for other new mothers. And never underestimate the central role a muslin cloth plays in every mum’s life. No new parent is ever more than an arm's length away from one during the first year – a dubious fashion accessory over one shoulder to prevent vomit stains (so please buy nice ones because they’ll be seeing a lot of them).
Then there are the baby clothes, toys and lovely things to make the nursery pretty. Most cherished (by me) were the beautiful blankets and the baby sleepsuits – kept as forever reminders of those early, blurry days. She also swears by comforters. My son was permanently attached to his ‘blanky’ until age three (and we went through about 10 because they would get thrown overboard from the buggy never to be seen again. Really, you can never have too many).
Moms appreciate different things on round two. A little token for the big sister/brother will be gratefully received (if only to avoid a particularly charming tantrum), as well as anything that makes the handling of multiple children more doable. A friend says the baby wrap her parents gifted was priceless as she could be hands free and push the older one in the single stroller to nursery. And, bearing in mind that baby’s newborn days are over in a heartbeat, new parents love gifts that can be tucked away for later, when all that generous gifting has waned: 9-12 month rompers, cups and bowls for the carrot purée days, maybe even their first pair of shoes.
Finally, there are those indulgent things you covet that you wouldn’t buy yourself – the rattan bookshelves, the pretty cushions and the aesthetically pleasing wooden toys for the nursery, or perhaps the stylish storage bag and the cashmere wrap for you, to name but a few.
Lara Kilner is a lifestyle journalist. Her writing regularly appears in national newspapers including “The Telegraph”, “The Times”, “The Observer” and “i Weekend”.
“A special blanket will be with them for years, from Moses basket to cot to bed (my daughter is nine and still has hers in her room now).”
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