Best Congratulations Gift For a New Family: From Personal To Practical
Unique And Memorable Ways To Say Congratulations That Will Leave new parents Speechless
Becoming a parent is a momentous occasion, filled with joy, excitement, and just a touch of sleep deprivation. When your friends or loved ones welcome a new addition to their family, it's not only a cause for celebration but also an opportunity to show your love and support. What better way to do that than by gifting them something thoughtful, practical, and even better, something they wouldn’t buy for themselves?
They are standing ahead of an overwhelming experience to say the very least. They will be instantly inundated with unsolicited advice, targeted online ads, and self-guided research which raises more questions than it answers. As we welcome them into this new phase of their lives, gift them with something to make the transition into parenthood smoother, and a whole lot sweeter. So what’s the best congratulations gift for a new family? We’ve broken it down for you below.
Helpful and Practical Gifts
We all need help. Sometimes it’s hard to admit and even harder to ask for it. This is why, in recent years, it’s become more and more common to give a gift that alleviates an area of stress for the new parents. This gift can come in many forms:
Time and support - This can include any chores around the house, dishes, laundry, cleaning, cooking, and babysitting. All things that get put on the back burner and stack up when the demands of a child intervene. When in doubt, give a basket of wine and cheese, and sit down for some much-needed adult time.
Parenting classes/workshops - CPR classes, feeding and sleep training workshops, lactation classes, and other general parenting workshops are great resources to ease their worries and doubts. They may push these to the back of their list as well but if it’s given as a gift, they are more likely to go and be deeply grateful in the end.
Food delivery - Who has time to cook these days even without a new baby? Shopping, chopping, and possibly burning. Send delicious food right to their door, guaranteed to put a smile on their faces because a full tummy is a happy tummy, and even happier when there is no stress or dishes.
Parenting Books - If they don’t have time for classes, there are a ton of great literary resources out there (great to read during the third-trimester insomnia)
For Meaningful Memories
There are very few certainties when welcoming a child but one thing we can count on is the many “firsts” parents will experience along the way. When offering your congratulations, consider a sweet way to help them hold onto those memories.
Baby Book or “firsts” keepsake box - A baby book is great for keeping track of stories, photos, firsts, and little items like hospital bracelets. A newer version of a baby book is a keepsake box with individual slots for physical items such as first binky, first haircut, hospital hat, first shoes, etc, to keep all of those sentimental treasures safe.
Hand Print kit - There are tons of baby hand/footprint frameable kits out there but consider a plaster mold kit to capture mom, dad, and baby’s hands embracing in a 3D mold that they can use as decoration and have forever.
Photo Frames - to hold baby’s first picture (the first ultrasound) or to hold monthly growth photos or the first family photo.
Personalized Gifts
Depending on the amount of information you are privy to, you can take this opportunity to craft a truly unique and personalized gift. Information that can help guide you include gender, nursery theme, or baby's intended name.
Baby Blankets - Embroider a baby blanket with the newborn's name or take it a step further and order after delivery complete with name, birthday, and all the birth stats (time, weight, length)
Book - Gift a baby book, personalized with his/her name on the cover for the new parents to fill with all of the keepsakes, stories, and photos for the first few years.
Onesie or Bib - Customize clothing with a funny inside joke or simply their name
Artwork - They will spend a lot of time in the nursery over the next couple of years, so why not adorn the walls with personalized artwork or wood-carved wall signs to make the parents smile
Ornament - Depending on religion, a first Christmas is inevitable, and a personalized
“Baby’s First Christmas” ornament is a great keepsake they can enjoy year after yearMilestone Blanket - Tracking the first year's growth in photos is a time-honored tradition these days. A personalized growth blanket with their name is a great way for them to stay consistent and could be something they never thought of.
Take The Stress Out Of Gift Giving
I know what you’re thinking:
“What if I don’t know any baby details but I also want to give something that is completely unique and memorable?”
Don’t let something that should be fun and exciting cause you stress, you can have the best of both worlds. A gender-neutral new baby gift box, like The New Family Gift Box from Nurtured 9, is just the thing! Rest easy knowing that a new baby present from Nurtured 9 will check all the boxes with its one-of-a-kind gift curations and personalized handwritten message. It comes complete with all the sweet touches for a frame-worthy photo, not to mention they will help make those first baby snuggles extra special.
Whichever gift you choose to say congratulations, whether it be a practical item, a personalized keepsake, a gesture of support, or a specially crafted care package of goodies, your gift will be a meaningful and appreciated expression of your congratulations and well wishes for the new family as they enter this new journey together.