Gifts for new parents: Thoughtful things to give and do

An illustration of a man and woman holding a new baby, which is cuddled in a sling across the man's chest; the little family is surrounded by illustrations of different gift ideas you might give to new parents, like food, a cute hat for bad hair days, headphones and more.

We know what to get for babies: onesies and blankies and binkies. But what about the newly overwhelmed moms and dads? We chatted with some experienced and professionally thoughtful folks about their favorite gifts for new parents, including gift ideas for new single parents and new adoptive and foster parents of babies and older kids.  

Whether you’re looking for inspiration on free gifts, thoughtful essentials or helpful gifts from a group, you’ll find tons of ideas below!

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Gift ideas for new parents of a baby  

Taking care of a tiny new person can be both exciting and overwhelming. Here are some ways you can show your love and support to the new parents.

Useful/Helpful

  • Arrange for a cleaning service to clean their home. A thoughtful group gift idea would be to pay for cleaning services for an extended period of time (e.g., once a week for a month).
  • Make a basket of essentials for nursing moms, like hair ties or soft scrunchies, cute water bottles, snacks, an audiobook subscription service and comfy pajamas or a robe.
  • Gift an audiobook or streaming service subscription with suggestions of titles you know they’d enjoy, to keep them entertained during those late-night feedings.

 

Funny/Fun

  • Make a reward chart for parents and include a basket of their favorite snacks. Tell them to reward themselves with a treat for every week they survive parenthood for the first three months.
  • Pick out some cute hats for low-maintenance hair days. Aka those days when they can’t remember the last time they showered.
  • Speaking of, give them luxury toiletries with a fun note reminding them that they will, one day, get to shower regularly again.

 

Unique/Cool

  • Send an instant camera and film to capture sweet moments that parents can tuck in their wallets or share with family and friends.
  • Prepare picture frames that can be used for some of the early memories their new little family will make together.
  • Pick out baby-friendly (i.e., simple) jewelry that stays out of reach, like a pair of huggie hoop earrings or cute studs. Or get them something that can be tugged on and perhaps even survive teething, like a chunky wooden statement necklace.

 

DIY/Homemade

  • Sew a rice bag that can be microwaved and used to soothe aching muscles. You could even add some lavender for a little aromatherapy.
  • Stencil an encouraging quote to hang on a wall or place on a table.
  • Make playlists they can play for different moods. (E.g., encouraging, soothing, empowering.) Get creative with the playlist names to make them smile!
  • If you’re good with a camera, offer to take some pretty pictures of the baby or the whole family for them to frame. (Here are our tips for great baby pics!)

 

Inexpensive

  • Offer to babysit—even for just a short period of time so new parents can take a much-needed nap.
  • Offer to run an errand or two to take some things off their plate. It could be a huge help to pick up groceries or walk pets.
  • Offer to do a chore or two. Folding laundry, washing a sink full of dishes or giving their bathroom a good scrub would probably be very appreciated.

 

Food/Meal

  • Purchase gift cards to some of their favorite restaurants and/or food delivery subscriptions to make mealtimes easier.
  • Organize a meal train so friends and family can deliver homemade meals to their door. (It’s always good to check with parents to see if they’d like the meals left outside in a cooler, or if they’d want visitors.)
  • Make a gift basket of snacks and/or quick grab-and-go breakfast items to help keep their pantry stocked.

 

Christmas/Holiday

  • Pick out an ornament that can hold a picture of the new family or the new baby.
  • Offer to pick up and/or deliver gifts for them.
  • Offer to help decorate their home or take down decorations after the holidays.
  • Help take the pressure off (especially if this is their first child) by sharing our advice and ideas for Baby’s First Christmas.

Gift ideas for new parents of twins or multiples  

Two or more times the fun and cuteness? Sure! But more babies probably means these parents can use all the support they can get. These gift ideas for new parents of twins or multiples are great ways to show you’re there to help.  

Useful/Helpful

  • Offer to be “night nurse” for one night so the parents can get some rest.
  • Give them a nice (aka sturdy) large backpack or bag to hold all the necessities they’ll need to take with them everywhere.
  • Send a cleaning service to deep clean their home.

 

Funny/Fun

  • Make or buy iron-on or adhesive name labels for each child so parents can keep track of who is who.
  • Make or buy shirts for parents that say “Twin Mom” or “Twin Dad.”
  • Give them a wireless headset they can use during nighttime feedings.

 

Unique/Cool

  • Buy a gift card for them to get massages at a nearby spa and babysit while they go! Hauling multiple babies everywhere is hard on the body.
  • Set them up with a photo session with a local photographer to capture sweet moments with their babies.
  • Find jewelry for the parents to wear that features the first initial of each child, like stackable rings, necklaces with multiple pendants, a leather cuff or stainless steel bracelet.

 

DIY/Homemade

  • Create an organizer/board/calendar that allows parents to keep track of each child’s needs.
  • Knit matching hats for everyone in the family.
  • Have friends and family share a piece of parenting advice or words of wisdom and compile them into a book for them to cherish.

 

Inexpensive

  • Bring a friend and offer to babysit so parents can get a break.
  • Offer to organize or tidy up a room or rooms that most need it.
  • Offer to do whatever they need the most for a morning or afternoon (help to clean, meal prep or run errands).

 

Food/Meal

  • Consider getting them a single-serve coffee maker so they can easily get a caffeine boost whenever it’s needed.
  • Plan and pay for a night out for the parents—think dinner and a movie—while you watch the babies.
  • It’s always helpful to have gift cards to restaurants, meal trains, and grocery drop-offs to make sure the new parents are eating well.

 

Christmas/Holiday

Gift ideas for new adoptive or foster parents  

It’s a wonderful thing when a family grows through fostering or adoption. Here are some ways you can show your love for new adoptive parents or foster parents.

Useful/Helpful

  • Get them a gift card for a fun activity they can do together (bowling, indoor rock climbing, painting pottery or a cooking class would all be great ideas).
  • Send gift cards to stores that sell a wide variety of items to help with unexpected or last-minute needs.
  • Put together a home safety basket that could include things like a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors, outlet plugs, baby-proofing items, and a first-aid kit.

 

Funny/Fun

  • Give them a get-to-know-you trivia game that the family can play together to encourage conversations.
  • Purchase an annual membership at a local venue, like a zoo, children’s museum or botanical garden.
  • Get them a subscription to a family-friendly streaming service for family movie nights together.

 

Unique/Cool

  • Plan a get-together for them with other families who have similarly aged children.
  • Give them a scrapbook to document their family memories. You could print out images they’ve shared with you or posted on social media to begin the book for them.
  • Having kids in the house means lots of interruptions. A temperature-controlled mug can help keep morning coffee and nighttime tea at just the right temperature no matter how long it takes to finish.

 

DIY/Homemade

  • Put together a list of local parks, playgrounds and other places where families with children can go to have fun. Add personalized water bottles and homemade snacks to make it extra special.
  • Do you have a talent for art, baking, music, gardening or crafting? Whatever your hobbies might be, offer to share some of your skills with the kid(s) for a morning or afternoon while the new parents rest or cross things off their to-do list.
  • Make a book of “babysitting coupons” that can be redeemed when they need a little break.

 

Inexpensive

  • A care package of essentials like toilet paper, tissues, disposable plates and utensils will surely come in handy and are often things that people don’t put on registries or wish lists.
  • Gift cards to drive-through coffee places are always appreciated.
  • Consider gifting a book of wisdom, inspiration and encouragement for new foster or adoptive parents.

 

Food/Meal

  • Make them a kid-friendly casserole that will feed the whole family.
  • Put together a pizza-making kit that everyone can help prepare.
  • Gift cards to a variety of restaurants can be helpful after meal trains have ended or to help feed picky eaters.

 

Christmas/Holiday

  • Gingerbread house decorating kits would be a fun activity that everyone can do together!
  • Decorate one or more mini Christmas trees with ornaments that reflect the favorite things of everyone in the family.
  • A Christmas cookie-making kit could be a fun way to encourage everyone to bake together.

One thing is for sure—no matter how you choose to show your love and support for the new parents in your life, your thoughtfulness will truly mean the world to them.

 

Feel like checking out a few more ideas? We have a bunch you might find helpful!