Gifts for the New Mom: First Mother's Day Gift Ideas and More -

From biological birth mothers to creation goddesses, mothers of all types have been celebrated since the beginning of time. Documented celebrations include festivals held by the Greeks, Phrygians, and Romans for their earliest goddesses and the festival for Durga-puja, which is still held in India. Celebrations for moms occur at different times of the year, depending on global location. However, the first Mother’s Day celebration in the United States was intended to be a humble and respectful affair.

*Any day is a great day to celebrate Mom.*

The History of Mother’s Day

After Ann Reeves Jarvis died in 1905, her grief-stricken daughter Anna set out to fulfill her mother’s lifelong goal of celebrating and honoring mothers who worked to improve others’ lives. The simple concept was accompanied by the motto: “For the Best Mother who Ever Lived—Your Mother.” It was directed primarily at parishioners of her church and the child care advocates with whom her mom worked in their tiny rural community. The goal was to honor their mothers and recognize their lifelong efforts and love for their families.

At no time was her concept meant to include elaborate gifts or overflowing attentiveness. The truth is, commercialization of the celebratory event would have mortified Anna Jarvis. Yet, the honorary event she inspired changed just a few years later, in 1910, when Mother’s Day became a recognized holiday throughout the state of West Virginia. The rest of the country fell in line in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson declared the first federally accepted Mother’s Day, and every second Sunday of May after that, a national holiday for all mothers to publically receive the love and reverence they deserve.

A lot has changed over a century, and commercialism and adoration often go hand-in-hand in the modern world, especially when it comes to holiday gifts. But it’s especially important to make the holiday more memorable when it comes to first-time moms. That may force you to think a bit outside the box, but the result will be worth it as her gifts reflect the love and effort she continually gives to her family. But where do you start to ensure your first Mother’s Day gifts will celebrate her and honor her love and devotion to your family?

Making a First Mother’s Day Memorable

Mother’s Day is the third most celebrated holiday, only running up behind Christmas and Thanksgiving. And while the top two holidays involve everyone in the vicinity or at least in the household, Mother’s Day focuses on one particular person: Mom. Whether she’s a new mom of a brand-new baby, a mom adding a second baby to the fold, or a veteran mom of an established family with many children, creating an extra special experience for the woman responsible for bringing forth life should be an annual priority. But worrying and stressing over giving mom a holiday she’ll never forget, especially for new moms, is entirely unnecessary. Chances are, if you just set the intention to focus on the new mom, you’ll be halfway there towards finding the perfect present that suits her to a tee.

You don’t have to book a five-star luxury suite, hop a flight to Tahiti, or promise a future world cruise to impress or honor your favorite new mom. Taking mum out for brunch is, of course, always an option. Not many mothers would turn down the chance to avoid cooking and cleaning up afterward. Unfortunately, as this practice has become the go-to way to celebrate for many families, the experience is often fraught with a great deal of waiting in a crowded restaurant. Plus, while a good gift often comes from the heart, the best Mother’s Day gifts for new mothers should also incorporate other body parts such as the eyes and ears. Chances are, the important mom in your world hasn’t been shy regarding things she wants or misses, especially after bringing life into the world. Yes, a baby is a dream to many, but an unexpected surprise here and there can add some joy to a new mom. Here are some suggestions she may like.

Finding Presents for New Mums

Does she enjoy shopping? Amazon has loads of deals for every holiday and event, and you can rest assured they have loads of ideas and sales ready for the new mom or for your baby. Shop for daily deals or scour the featured items page to get great Mother’s Day gifts. A personalized journal, sleep essentials, a new pillow with a soft silk pillow case, a particular book, or jewelry like a lovely bracelet or necklace can make a new mom feel like a queen. If you’re not sure what she’d prefer, an Amazon gift card can be all she needs to feel like herself again. Just try to have her promise that she’ll shop for herself instead of the family or the baby. It’s incredible what a new mug such as a Queen Bee or Best Mom mug, some bath items, photo albums, memory keepsakes, or even a good bottle of wine can do to remind your favorite new mom that she’s the lifeline of the family. Don’t forget that self-care is essential after having a baby, and Amazon is great for that. You can also stock up on some of her favorite snacks for family movie night right at home.

Great Gifts For New Moms

You may have several important new moms in your life at any given time, and they are equally deserving on Mother’s Day. However, first Mother’s Day gifts can be unforgettable if you play your cards right. Moms cherish their children more than anything else in the world. A personalized book, journal, bracelet, or necklace can be perfect gifts and provide a permanent keepsake for the earliest memories and experiences with their baby. Slide a favorite photo in a locket engraved with the baby’s birthdate to get points while providing simple gift solutions she’ll love.

First Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Having a baby can be a gift on its own to a wonderful, loving family. But those who don’t physically bring the child into the world can fail to understand the physical and mental ramifications that pregnancy involves. While pregnancy is one of the most natural processes a human can experience, it can completely change the woman from the inside out. The gestational hormonal imbalance of estrogen and progesterone can cause the vocal cords to swell and her voice to change. Relaxin softens the ligaments in the body and causes joints to loosen. Hair, nails, and skin thicken, stretch, and grow in response to the growing fetus. Gastrointestinal and acid reflux issues are common. Feet expand, swell, and grow during pregnancy. Dental problems and breast changes often occur due to the additional lactic acid. Changes in smell can result in heightened senses, added frustration, nausea, and increased vomiting. Internal organs such as the heart will increase in size and volume to pump the extra blood necessary to deliver oxygen and nutrients the baby needs. Those changes don’t just snap back into place once the baby is born, and it takes a lot more than some extra sleep, exercise, and supplements to get back on track and feel human again.

Physical and Emotional Changes Mothers Experience

Often, the mother is overwhelmed by the increased hormones and bodily changes remaining after birth that she suffers from continuing physical concerns and mental issues. In fact, severe postpartum depression is far more than just having “the blues.” The condition affects approximately 20% of moms, and it can not only interfere with daily life, but it can also lead to a much more serious condition called postpartum psychosis. Whether your new mom simply has post-delivery blues, which affects more than half of new mothers, or something more serious, self-care is critical to both mom and baby. And fortunately, there are plenty of gifts that can help them get the self-care they so desperately need and deserve.

Family Portrait Session

You can wow mom by booking a family portrait session. Depending on where you live and the photographer’s level of experience, you can find packages for $150 to $500.

This might be a good one to let mom know about in advance, since she might want to get her nails and hair style in advance of the photo shoot and plan outfits for the family. Especially if she wants to do matching or coordinating looks, like Alice and Ames dresses in the same print, matching pajamas, or the same general color palette.

Unusual Gifts for a New Mom

Sleep is not only essential for pregnancy and your baby’s health and welfare, it’s also critical for the health and healing of any new mom. Quite often, moms want nothing more than some quiet time to themselves where they don’t have to tend to others for a few hours. An entire afternoon of self-care can make them feel like royalty. So plan ahead to handle the baby’s needs yourself while letting your wife sleep late. Make her breakfast in bed and then offer to help with all the chores. Agree to change every diaper for a 24-hour period. Supply her with bath essentials, lotions, and oil to soothe her skin. Give her a jewelry box, a silk robe, or a comfortable set of pajamas. As long as she’s no longer nursing, provide a bottle of wine and some delicious snacks. Give her candles and a desired book or audiobook to enjoy on her own or during a luxurious bubble bath. Let mom sleep for as long as she wants without an alarm or any interference waking her. Give her a baby’s first year journal, and dedicated time to write about the year’s extra special events and moments with your expanding family. Make personal photo boxes and albums to help her sort and organize memorable family images.

Once current global health concerns are no longer an issue, great gifts for moms can include a special spa experience. Or, you can book a family photo shoot to create permanent mementos she’ll never forget. Unfortunately, public celebration options will likely be on hold for quite a while. But that doesn’t have to take away from her special holiday. If you have a daughter, daughter-in-law, or close relation who is also a new mom or first-time parent, consider encouraging their partner to plan their own version of a self-care day as their gifts for new moms.

Give the Gift of College

Sleep, photo supplies, quality family time, and jewelry are all great gifts for new moms. But Mother’s Day gift ideas can also focus on the future of your child. It’s something your wife, daughter, or special new mom in your life has undoubtedly obsessed about since discovering a new family addition was on the way (if not long before Junior was even a gleam in her eye). As the economy ebbs and flows, concerns for soaring education costs can overwhelm loving parents. Savings programs like Upromise help ease those concerns and burdens. Visit Upromise to get started on saving for your baby’s future or to help a special loved one.

It’s easy. Just join Upromise for free. Once a member, you can link any credit or debit card to the program to earn bonuses and cash back awards on specific restaurants and online retailers. You may earn more, or even twice as much, by paying for those purchases with the special Upromise World Mastercard. Sitewide cardmembers earn even more on purchases made through the credit card. And those who use it can earn an extra 15% bonus when linking it to a 529 college savings plan.

A 529 college savings plan can be opened by anyone over 18 years of age who is either a US citizen or resident. So the plan can be a perfect gift from a parent, spouse, grandparent, uncle, neighbor, close friend, or anyone else who wants your children to succeed in their educational pursuits. Of course, that also reduces parental stress and results in great gifts for new moms dealing with far more pressing issues. As the savings through upromise.com grow, the student then becomes the future beneficiary of the account. And the earnings can help increase their chances of success in life. What a great way to honor the special mom in your life!

Gifts for the New Mom: First Mother’s Day Gift Ideas and More