I’m loving my Gift Guide Series! Have you seen the ones for Educational gifts and movies and games, and Cultural Gifts? Boy, they’re a lot of work to put together, but I want to share the best things out there with you. I don’t mind working hard for you – you deserve it! It’s my little thanks to you for following along with us and being an important part of our community. Today I’m bringing you my Gift Guide For New Moms; from the brand new mom to those who have been ‘in the trenches’ for some time, I hope that you’ll find something to add to your gift list for yourself or someone you love.
This post contains affiliate links.
Gift Guide For New Moms
Mom for the Holidays: Stories of Love, Laughter, and Tantrums at Christmas and Hanukkah + Holiday Planner (What Is a Mother to Do?)
Mom For The Holidays: Stories of Love, Laughter & Tantrums at Christmas & Hanukkah was recently gifted to me from Carolyn of The Wise Owl Factory. One of the stories in this anthology is hers, and anyone who has raised children in another culture will understand her confusion about local Christmas customs.
What I like to do is let the children have some free (but quiet) time in the afternoon while I make myself a cup of my favourite tea or coffee, and a small indulgent treat (such as a piece of chocolate) and curl up on the bed with this book for a little quiet time of my own. My children know I function better after a little down-time and they actually encourage me to do this! (I know that sometimes they have their own motives – like spending time on things I don’t always let them do; but we all deserve a little luxury time to do what we enjoy).
This book is one you can judge by the cover – it delivers what it promises; stories of love, laughter, and tantrums. You’ll be laughing and crying along with the short stories these moms have been generous to share with the world. Surely the next time you think, “this could only happen to me,” rest assured that you’re not alone!
These stories are only a few pages long so you’ll easily be able to read at least one without interruption (of course I can’t promise that, but you’ll have a good chance….and you might even be able to get in 2 or 3 stories. This is the perfect gift for any mom, and I’d especially recommend it for those who need a little extra cheer, or those new moms who don’t know what’s to come…they’ll have a little preparation now (while thinking, that’ll never happen to me), and in the future can re-read the stories (thinking, I can’t believe that did happen to me)!
Mom For The Holidays can be purchased on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
I See Me! Books
We’ve previously reviewed books from I See Me: My Very Own Pirate Tale and My Very Own World Adventure and my children absolutely adore them! They feel so special to have a book all about them. I’ve often seen such books but wondered at the quality, and now that we have our own, I can attest to the high standard that I See Me! puts into each bespoke book.
Now that each of my children have their own book, it was time to have a book dedicated to our family! Yes, there is just such a Christmas book! My 12 Days of Christmas (Family Edition) caught my eye. We personalised it by including a family photo in the front, and adding 12 names of family members that show up randomly throughout the book. Because we are 5-7 time zones away from my family and they aren’t seen often enough, after using the names of our immediate family and the kids’ grandparents, I used the names of special relatives back home to help keep them in the thoughts of my children at this special time of year. Have a look on the I See Me! site to see what the book looks like inside with more detail.
My 12 Days of Christmas, Family Edition is truly going to be a treasured memory to bring out each year, not just for my children, but a family book can also be passed down to future generations and used like a family tree. My daughter loves to sit with it and sing aloud. And of course she likes to flip through the pages to find her name!
There are more than just books at I See Me! so go have a look around their site and see what catches your eye. Stickers, lunch boxes, growth charts, tree ornaments are also available for personalisation.
You can purchase My 12 Days of Christmas (Family Edition) and other fantastic I See Me! books online.
Follow I See Me! through their website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, and email (for updates and discounts).
Hotel Chocolat
Moms need chocolate! Whether it’s for a quick boost of energy during the afternoon, or to taking a minute to relax and let the world pass by while our minds reboot so we can continue on with our day and what it holds. My favourite chocolate to indulge in is Hotel Chocolat!
Hotel Chocolat will forever hold special memories for me, and I’m making new ones by sharing these delectable little treasures with my friends and family.
The small but mighty Toasty Toddies box is perfect for a stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift as well as for Moms. There are 4 varieties of chocolate, and each is like a little explosion of flavour and satisfaction that travels from the mouth up to the ‘happy centre’ of the brain. These are great as a Momma can feel like she’s indulging!
The Classic Christmas Sleekster box is perfect for sharing when Moms get together (if you can dare to share, that is). They’re great to give as a gift to a Mom, friend, or anyone you know who could use some cheer. With 16 varieties of chocolates to choose from in this box, the recipient can spend their days deciding which treat to devour next – or they can just close their eyes and let fate decide which chocolate their fingers will pick up and let their taste-buds be surprised!
Hotel Chocolat never disappoints and always leaves you looking forward to your next peaceful moment when you have a rendezvoux with the ‘Hotel’.
These special Christmas boxes are available from Hotel Chocolat both in-store and on-line for home delivery! Why not surprise the special Mom in your life with her own box….and while you’re in the lounge, please do have a look through the rest of the Hotel for all the other pleasures that will please those on your gift-giving list.
You can purchase Hotel Chocolat online as well as in store.
Follow Hotel Chocolat through their website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and G+ to keep up with their new products and promotions.
Hotmilk Maternity and Nursing Lingerie
Hello guys! I know a few of you read my blog – and just for you, Hotmilk has a fun MEN’S IDIOT-PROOF GUIDE TO BUYING LINGERIE so don’t be shy, head over and learn what you need to know to make your lady love you even more than she does already.
I am so happy to be including Hotmilk Lingerie in my gift guide! My first pregnancy went without a maternity bra and poor-fitting nursing bras (due in part to having an extremely premature baby which meant my pregnancy was cut short of needing one and there wasn’t time to search out for one after). Thankfully, things were different with my second pregnancy and now that I know the difference a great nursing bra can make, I highly recommend them as they are a total game-changer! I loved mine so much I actually wore them out 🙂 A good-fitting bra is absolutely worth the investment, which once again I’ve found out this month.
Nursing bras are built for comfort and ease of use first, and Hotmilk also makes them for beauty as well. They have many styles to suit a mom’s lifestyle; sporty yoga and sleeping bras, plain and basic bras, as well as lacy and more sexy styles. So whether you’re more ‘practical’ or more ‘fun’, or even a perfect mix of both, you’ll find something that fits your style as well as your changing mommy-bod (Hotmilk designs their bras for this phenomenon).
If you live in a rural area or an area that isn’t very pro breast-feeding then you may find it difficult to shop for a nursing bra, just as I did. Online shopping is a great way to go!
Have a look through what Hotmilk has to offer (and there’s more than just bras – you’ll find panties, camis and pjs as well. All the things you need to feel comfortable …well, as comfortable as possible when you’re pregnant and shortly after…
You can purchase Hotmilk lingerie online: Canada, USA, UK, and Australia, as well as some choice retailers.
Follow Hotmilk through their website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and G+.
MyFreezEasy
MyFreezEasy is a real game-changer in a busy home! (See my full review here) This isn’t what might be considered the ‘best’ gift for a Mom, but rather it’s a gift for the whole family (and you can easily turn it into a gift for Mom if someone else does the prep!!). I’ve been using MyFreezEasy for a few months now to plan my meals. I spend a couple of hours a month prepping and filling my freezer with meals that can then be pulled out and cooked on the day they’re needed.
Cooked in the slow cooker, in the oven, or on the stove, there’s so much variety amongst both this and the recipes you’ll find in this program. From allergy-friendly meals to traditional fayre and everything in between. They are easy to prep and delicious to eat!
In the membership you’ll receive the recipes (adjustable for 2, 4, or 6 people per meal), 8 meal plans each month, lists that include everything you’ll need at the grocery store, and a step-by-step guide on what you need, and which order to prep your meals in for ultimate efficiency. The premium membership will allow you to swap out some meals in the plan for others to make a bespoke meal-plan that everyone will love.
What Kind of Recipes Are There?
MyFreezEasy would be a great gift for a new and/or busy mom – present the membership with a gift of some of the meals all ready pre-prepped and frozen and you’ll win the prize for the most thoughtful gift!
You can purchase a premium membership at MyFreezEasy here, or check out the difference between plans here.
Follow MyFreezEasy through her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram fro more tips and tricks in the kitchen.
Marc says
This is a magical holiday season, for my nieces and nephews, to get a My Magical Snowman Personalized Book.
Milt says
My Night Before Christmas Personalized Book is an amazing present for my grandchildren.
Rob says
The My 12 Days of Christmas would be a great gift for my grandchildren.
LeAnn Harbert says
I want the Night Before Christmas for my granddaughter
Wendy Browne says
My son Cedric will be a year on Christmas and is still nursing with no signs of wanting to wean, so the bra will be for myself.
Crystal McClean says
Fabulous, keep going team!
Wendy Browne says
My 12 Days of Christmas (Family Edition) would be my choice as my son turns one this Christmas.
Angelica Dimeo says
I would choose On The Day You Were Born for my son whose birthday is coming up
Em Mahr says
I”d love to get the Find Me! Personalized Seek-and-Find Book
Em Mahr says
My due date is March 1, 2017 and we’re leaning toward the name Jackson
Chrinstine says
Everyone loves it when individuals come together and share thoughts.
Great blog, continue the good work!
renee says
I would like to share the Pirate Tale with my kids.
Linda says
This is for my cousin who is due in less than a month. No name chosen yet.
Linda says
I would like to get the 12 Days of Christmas for our family.
Helen says
My little girl would love the My Very Own Fairy Tale Storybook from I See Me Books.
Kristin C says
I think the Christmas sing-a-long book looks like it would be a hit with my kids!
Laurajj says
Oh I would love to share the My Christmas Sing-Along Book and Songs! How fun and so unique!
Fiona N says
I would share My Very Merry Christmas Board Book
Thank You for the chance
Kelly McGrew says
i love the night before christmas book! a classic with a personal touch!
Barb Miller says
I would like the My Very Own Trucks for my little boy
ML says
the baby does. It have a name yet and is due in August.
Dominique Cloutier says
I got my son the CHristmas Sing a long book for Christmas and my daughter would love the whole fairy or princess set! i actually get them a personalized book every christmas and birthday because i want to keep them excited about reading, i think that’s super important. and them seeing their own name in the book keeps them excited about it too! nothing better than that!
April Swaim says
I would share My Very Own World Adventure!
Aaron says
I would love to share the ABC What I Can Be! Personalized Book!
Angie says
I would like the 12 days of Christmas family book.
Sarah H says
The bra will be for myself this time. I am not sure until the end of January, but have been placed on bedrest and told to prepare for a premature baby. That doesn’t really allow for shipping for a nursing bra. Winning this giveaway would be such a blessing! Thank you! Oh, and the baby will be either Wyatt or Ollie. ?
Crystal McClean says
Good luck on the giveaway, but more importantly, take care of yourself and the little one. I know from personal experience the stress a premature baby can have. Settle in with some Netflix, fruit tea, and try to relax (better said than done). Thinking of you – let us know how things go in February!
Maria B says
I like the book Goodnight Little Me Storybook.
kendra arellano says
I would love to get the amazing big brother book from I See Me!
molli taylor says
i like the pirate tale i see me… definitely different than your average perosnalized gift
molli taylor says
the person is my friend julie and she is due in 2 weeks!
angela m says
I would love the My 12 Days of Christmas (Family Edition) from I See Me