10 genius gifts for new parents that aren't for the baby
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People love buying stuff for babies; it’s a fact of life. From tiny baby Nikes to itty-bitty “babiators,” if it’s miniaturized, we’ll find a way to put the kiddo in it. But there comes a time when every new parent realizes the tiniest member of their household has way more stuff than they could ever possibly need. You may be asking, ‘are there useful non-baby gifts for new parents they’d be just as grateful to receive?’ Most definitely.
You may be tempted to shower the little one with popular new baby gift ideas like a baby gift basket or a cute and custom newborn outfit; however, the reality is that the exhausted new parents are the real MVPs who could use a little self-care of their own. Consider gifts for the new parents that aren’t baby-related – that’ll show them you’re thinking of their needs as well during this crazy new chapter in their life.
Whether it’s a set of luxe robes for wearing around the house, comical drinkware for an at-home happy hour, or personalized keepsakes, there are plenty of funny, sentimental and even luxury gifts for new parents you can’t go wrong with, even during a pandemic. Check out these 10 non-baby gifts for new parents that they’re sure to need and love. Trust us — they’ll thank you.
1. A top-shelf espresso machine for small spaces, $499.95
If there’s one thing you know about parenting, it’s that new moms and dads are probably running on less sleep than ever before. While it might be tempting to give them gag gifts about their sleep deprivation, this Breville Bambino espresso machine might actually help them conquer it. It’s one of Breville’s smallest espresso machines, with the ability to pull a quality espresso shot in a compact size without sacrificing taste. Not only is it easy to use, it includes single and double-shot features. There’s even an automatic steam wand for milk texturing. Pair it with some cute espresso cups, and you’ve got a gift they’ll use for years.
2. Healthy prepared meals, for when they don’t feel like cooking, $5.99 to $8.99 per item
Low effort, tasty and healthy: those are the three biggest selling points of Daily Harvest’s healthy prepared meals and snacks. They also happen to be three big must-haves that new parents are looking for when it comes to preparing easy meals with a newborn in the house. Daily Harvest’s farm-frozen smoothies, bowls, flatbreads, snacks and ice creams are plant-based and loaded with good-for-you fruits and veggies. The new parents on your list will enjoy having ready-to-eat meals that not only taste good but are good, meaning they’ll finally take that break from Seamless. If Daily Harvest doesn’t sound like their jam, there are plenty of other healthy meal services worth browsing, like Freshly, Sakara and Home Bistro.
3. Drinkware for “off-duty” hours, $12.50+
New moms and dads are never really off duty, but these funny sets of wine or beer glasses might make the new parents at least feel like they are. An added bonus, the glasses can be customized for drink preference and for LGBTQIA+ couples, too.
4. A baby keepsake library to remember all of those upcoming milestones, $90
New parents know how it is, hospital bracelets, baby teeth and strands from their baby’s first haircut are all treasured. With this baby keepsake library, new parents can safely store all their little one’s precious first-year mementos in acid-free drawers with files and tiny envelopes. There’s also a customizable version if you want to personalize it with the baby’s name.
5. A way to browse for new clothes without leaving the house
Even before the worldwide pandemic, many parents cringed at the idea of an all-out shopping trip with their little one. Services like StitchFix make browsing for new clothes easy in the comfort of your own home. Here’s how StitchFix works: fill out a style questionnaire, provide your fit and price point, and a real stylist will hand-pick clothing items to ship to you. You only keep what items you love, returning everything else — no subscription required. Best of all, there are StitchFix options for women, men and even kids. A StitchFix gift card is perfect for any new parent on your list.
6. A set of ultra-plush robes they’ll practically live in, $98
Let’s be honest, new parents aren’t spending much time in anything other than loungewear. These “super plush” robes from Brooklinen are made with 100% Turkish cotton and feature deep pockets, cuffed edges and a piped collar. That might not mean much to you, but to the new parents who are adjusting to a new routine, they’ll be grateful for cozy gifts that help them relax.
7. A postpartum care package loaded with practical recovery essentials, $49+
Postpartum recovery is too often overlooked in conversations about what new parents need when the baby arrives. This customizable postpartum care package is thoughtfully curated with some of the most essential and important items mom will need during her recovery. It includes popular postpartum care brands like Earth Mama Organics, Tucks and Dermoplast. You choose how many and which items you want to be included in your gift basket. Plus, the items can be curated for c-section moms, too.
8. Milk Bar cookies, because everyone loves cookies, $54
If the new parents are too long distance for you to hand-deliver some homemade baked treats, Milk Bar’s cookie sampler is probably the next best thing. The sampler includes six assorted cookies, one Milk Bar Pie slice, a three-pack of chocolate birthday cake truffles and a three-pack of regular birthday cake truffles.
9. A personalized keepsake box with baby’s name, $125
Technically this is a gift for baby, but it’s a gift the new parents will also treasure for years to come. Customize this personalized keepsake box with baby’s name and other information you like, such as birth date, birth time and the city they were born in.
10. Comfy slip-on shoes they can wear with anything, $44.95
These Birkenstocks Arizona Essentials might seem a bit unusual for a new parents’ gift guide, but trust us on this one. They can be slipped on or off hands-free (important for new parents, remember!), are comfortable enough to wear all day, and are not all that terrible looking for when you need to step outside for a quick stroll or errand. After all, practical gifts oftentimes make the best gifts of all!
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