Holiday Gift Guides 2022

‘Tis the season! As the holidays approach many people are often stuck wondering what they should give their loved ones thats useful but also meaningful. I asked my followers on Instagram what they would give a friend or family member if they were pregnant, postpartum or had just recently lost a baby. As a bonus we included a guide for newborns as well!

In this gift guide I focused on sourcing items from small businesses mainly on Etsy. None of these links are affiliate links and while I have purchased some of these items, I have not purchased all of them.

Here’s what we came up with:

Pregnancy

1. “mama” mug - a new “mama” mug personalized with the year your loved one got pregnant or will give birth is a sweet gift to commemorate her journey to motherhood. In addition you could give them some red raspberry leaf tea or a special herbal pregnancy tea blend.

1. handmade belly butter - belly butter is soothing for the dry, stretching skin of a growing belly. This butter is made with organic coconut oil, organic argan oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, cacao butter, shea butter, mango butter, tangerine, lavender, and neroli.

2. slip on shoes or slippers - a highly recommended item for both pregnant and postpartum mama’s. These clog style shoes are lined with shearling and are perfect to keep your feet warm and cozy. Pack them in the hospital bag for an easy shoe to wear in the postpartum room.

3. prenatal massage gift certificate - a great way to pamper an expecting mama is with a prenatal massage. Search around your community for a licensed massage therapist that specializes in pregnancy and postpartum massages and purchase a gift certificate.

4. handmade soap - yet another way to pamper an expecting mama. These all natural soaps are scented in a combination of soothing herbal and uplifting floral blends. In this gift set you’ll receive 5 soaps: white tea and aloe, grapefruit and calendula, lavender rose, sage and citrus, and lavender and patchouli.

5. linen bound baby book - many baby books, like this one begin in pregnancy so parents can fill out things like funny cravings, pregnancy milestones and their birth story. This journal is a keepsake that will serve a new mom for years to come as she documents not only her child’s first year but the first 18 years of life.

Postpatum

1. personalized water bottle - it’s so important for postpartum mamas to stay hydrated so a personalized reusable water bottle is a great gift option! There are so many options to choose from on Etsy from tumblers to insulated bottles you’ll be able to find something to fit your loved one’s style!

2. herbal bath blend - an herbal bath blend is a great way to pamper a new mom while also encouraging healing and relaxation. This blend includes calendula, lavender, plantain leaf, rosebuds, shepherds purse, yarrow, epsom salt and Himalayan sea salt. Each herb has its own unique properties to help your body heal.

3. breastmilk necklace - a breastmilk necklace is a way to preserve and honor a breastfeeding journey. Purchase a gift certificate or have a necklace made to surprise your loved one. Smay at Honoring Motherhood only needs 15 mL of milk to preserve and create a keepsake. Check out all of her keepsake options!

4. kindle paperwhite - for something to do other than binge watch Netflix during those long newborn nursing sessions and all of the early contact naps. An e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite lets you read anywhere without lugging around a stack of books. A Kindle Paperwhite has a paper like screen and adjustable warmth for after hours reading thats easier on your eyes.

5. wireless earbuds - long nursing sessions and cluster feeding overnight can tempt new moms to reach for their phones for endless scrolling on social media. Wireless earbuds lets them quietly listen to audiobooks and podcasts and helps keep new moms awake during those overnight nursing sessions.

6. “mama” sweatshirt - this “mama” sweatshirt is sure to keep anyone warm for the holidays and is a perfect gift for a new mom!

Pregnancy Loss

1. memorial necklace - help keep the memory of her baby alive by gifting a beautiful, handmade memorial necklace. Choose from hundreds of options on Esty. Honoring Motherhood, mentioned earlier, creates keepsakes with cremains and other inclusions as well.

2. hobby gear - sometimes it is hard for moms to keep doing what they love after a pregnancy loss. gifting gear for their hobbies like camera gear, new hiking books or fabric swatches is a gentle encouragement for them to resume their passions.

3. pregnancy loss journal - loss moms need a safe space to help them work through their grief surrounding the death of their baby. This miscarriage journal helps them walk through through their grief with gentle prompts to help them remember, reflect and sometimes rage. Professional mental health counseling is also recommended, but this can be a place to start.

4. memorial candle - each October 15th loss moms across the world participate in a “wave of light” where they light a candle and speak their child’s name in honor and remembrance. This sympathy and grief candle can help them honor and remember their baby.

5. memorial ornament - another way to help keep the memory of their baby alive is by gifting a memorial ornament for their Christmas tree. This would be a sweet way to include their baby in the memories and traditions of their family. Choose from hundreds of options and personalizations across Etsy.

6. angel baby family portrait - memorialize the addition of a baby to their family with an angel baby family portrait. Liana Lane is a fellow loss mom who creates memorial artwork for other grieving parents. What a great way to include the baby in the wall of family portraits.

Newborn

1. little sleepies pajamas - these deluxe bamboo pajamas are highly recommended by moms everywhere. They are made with a custom bamboo material that is perfect for sensitive skin and last three times longer than other brands. A perfect gift for a newborn that just keeps growing!

2. baby’s first Christmas ornament - sentimental and sweet, a “first Christmas” ornament is a cherished memento from a special memory. There are hundreds of designs on Etsy and across the internet to choose from!

3. high contrast cards - high contrast cards are perfect for newborns to strengthen their eyesight and get their parents engaged in play time. Look for simple designs like shapes, patterns and single objects to help the baby focus in on the design.

4. hand knit winter hat - help keep baby warm and cozy with a hand knit winter hat - have a go at it yourself or find an experienced knitter on Etsy.

5. indestructible books - give a gift that will last well into toddlerhood with these indestructible books. These books are tear proof, waterproof and 100% washable. They are made for babies to hold, grab, chew, pull and bend.

6. la petite creme - a luxurious organic diapering lotion that removes the need for baby wipes and diaper cream. Just pump into a cloth and wipe away the mess. This is a cleanser and diaper cream in one!