Motherly love: Holiday gifts for new and expectant moms
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She’s got more on her mind than Santa and mistletoe -- a friend, wife, sister or Secret Santa recipient is either deeply pregnant or knee-deep in new motherhood. And scented candles, designer jeans and that new Jonathan Franzen novel are no longer on her holiday wish list.
So what to gift a woman who won’t be sleeping more than two hours at a time over the next few months? A few suggestions ...
Skip Hop Versa diaper bag, $70.
There are basic diaper bags and then there’s the new Versa by mama-friendly accessories company Skip Hop. Featuring a series of brilliantly strategized inner pockets for everything from a sippy cup to pacifiers and wipes — along with an expandable shape accessible by a zipper down the middle of the bag -- it’s the Rolls Royce of baby totes. And happens to be great-looking too.
Cake Strawberry Shortcake nursing bra, $48.
Lingerie wouldn’t necessarily be the first item to come to mind when thinking about gifts for a new or expectant mom. But nursing bras are notoriously ugly — like Spanx for you bosoms. So surprising her with one that’s actually feminine and frilly (with easy drop-down cups for fast feeding) might actually be well received. (Buy her anything Frederick’s of Hollywood and you’re asking for a slap.)
Mambino Organics Oh Baby Belly Butter, $29.95.
Pregnancy’s assault on the belly knows no bounds. So help her keep her traumatized mid-section smooth and hydrated with this super-rich body butter that softens the appearance of old and new stretch marks and soothes dry, itchy skin with pure lavender and red mandarin.
Paper Dolls Brag Book by Dwell Studio, $22.
IPhone photos are, well, bush league when it comes to showing off a new bundle. Give her a stylish, low-key brag book to pack with glossy full-colored photos of her babe when she goes back to work. This cute one from Dwell, made of coated cotton canvas, holds 24 photos.
Boob’s dressing gown -- featuring a tie-able overlap, side lacing and 3/4-length sleeves -- grows and retracts with the pregnant and post-baby body. It’s also one of the most comfy swaths of fabric we’ve ever donned, and quite presentable when greeting baby’s visitors with bleary eyes.
Top photo: Skip Hop bag. Credits: Skip Hop
Photo: Mambino Organics body butter. Credit: Mambino Organics