Perfect Presents For Proud New Parents

By Sally,

With around 34 babies being born each minute in India, the chances are you may have recently welcomed a new arrival into your family.  Congratulations! It can sometimes be difficult to know what to take as a gift when you meet the new little one; people often love to buy clothing or jewelry for the baby, but what about the exhausted new parents?  They will have been busy preparing for their bundle of joy but now the hard work begins.  What can you give them to make their lives a little easier?

Pampering and recovery treats

All new Moms would relish the opportunity to have a little me-time after the baby arrives, but it’s not always possible to get out for appointments, especially with breastfeeding. You may like to buy a gift voucher for a relaxing spa treatment – Bengaluru itself has many spas to choose from – but for life with a newborn, a selection of pampering treats Mom can enjoy at home might be more useful.  Since hair can change and thin so much after pregnancy, a little pack of ayurvedic post-pregnancy hair care remedies such as neem or bhringraja might be appreciated, or even an offer of massage at home.

Practically perfect

A recent study has found that parents lose around six years of sleep when a new baby arrives.  As a result, it can be difficult to get motivated to do the most basic tasks such as cooking healthy food or getting out for fresh air, exercise or hobbies.  Practical gifts can be really precious, whether it’s offering to look after the baby while the parents take a walk, bringing homemade food to keep in their freezer, or buying them a subscription gift that brings their hobbies home.  Whether their passion is food, fitness, reading or crafting, these services offer them a chance to be themselves again, rather than just Mom or Dad.

Prudent present-giving

A recent study has estimated that the cost of raising a child is Rs. 64.7 lakh from birth to college.  With this in mind, new parents might simply appreciate a small financial gift, either in cash or investment such as gold which they can keep.  Alternatively, you might like to offer to contribute towards future music lessons, or sports kit, if those things are particular passions of yours.  It will depend on your relationship with the parents; for some, talking about money is inappropriate, but for others, it may be a welcome relief.

New arrivals bring great joy to a household, but also a lot of sleepless nights and tired days.  If you are visiting friends or family with a new baby, think about thoughtful ways to show them that they are loved and supported too.  Pampering treats, practical help or small financial gestures can be great ways to reach out to new parents. Offers to cuddle the baby while they take a shower or nap will also be gratefully received too.