12 Gifts for New Parents: Thoughtful Ideas They’ll Love

Becoming a parent is a whirlwind. There’s careful planning, from designing a nursery to ensuring you have all the necessary supplies. Then, when the little one finally arrives, the transition period as everyone adjusts to new routines. If you want to help, thoughtful gifts for new parents can provide much-needed support as they settle into parenthood.

We’ve curated a list of our top gifts for new parents, from practical baby items and thoughtful gestures to personalized keepsakes. You’ll find the perfect way to help while ensuring the new parents get the gifts they actually want.

How To Choose Gifts for New Parents

Most parents create a baby registry for baby shower gifts as they prepare for their little one’s arrival. However, once the baby arrives, they might not have time to create new lists of the items they need. 

If you’re close, talk to them and ask if they need something specific. Remember that they’re likely busy and tired, though, so they may not get back to you quickly. You can also talk to the grandparents or friends of the parents to get ideas. 

If you want to choose a gift on your own, consider practicality since many parents already have things like strollers, car seats, and diaper bags. While they can always use more diapers, other ideas like self-care gift baskets or meal delivery can be quite helpful.

For example, meal delivery reduces the stress of cooking and cleaning, which gives them more time to bond with their little one. 

Practical Gifts for New Parents

Design: Lisa Travis

Everything changes when a baby arrives. It’s magical but can also be overwhelming as parents adjust to a new routine. Thoughtful gifts can make this time easier for everyone. 

Here are some of the top gift ideas for new parents. They’re tried and true options sure to make life easier — we’ve also highlighted some memorable options the parents will cherish well into the future.

Pay for a Cleaning Service

With a new little bundle of joy, it’s hard to keep up with the household cleaning. Eliminate or reduce this burden by hiring a cleaning service to take on these tasks as the parents transition to life with their new baby. Even a one-time service can be helpful since it gives them a clean slate to work with. 

Buy Practical Baby Gear

While most parents already have baby gear like diaper totes and baby clothes, there are some things you can never have enough of as a parent. Consider buying items like onesies and swaddles since most parents find they go through these more quickly than anticipated. Finding styles in various sizes can also help parents as the baby grows — and they won’t have to run out to buy new clothes on their own.

Choose Gifts That Improve Sleep

A night light is a great practical gift for night feeding since it helps avoid having to turn on bright lights that interfere with their circadian rhythm. As a result, this gift could help them combat exhaustion, which is a common experience for new parents.

A white noise machine is another great gift idea to help the new parents rest. It’ll help them settle quickly for a short daytime nap, reducing the time it takes to fall asleep. Noise-canceling headphones and earplugs are often helpful for the same reasons.

Send Cash or Gift Cards

When in doubt, send cash or buy a gift card to stores like Target and Walmart. The parents are sure to find useful items and can buy exactly what they need. This could help with diapers, new clothes, baby toys, or frozen pizza on a busy night.  

Thoughtful Gifts for New Parents

Design: Owl and Toad

Some loved ones prefer to celebrate this milestone with a thoughtful gift the parents will cherish for years to come. The options are endless, from photo shoots that capture fleeting memories to ideas that help them unwind. 

Here are some perfect gifts to honor this time in their lives and congratulate the new parents. 

Self-Care Gift Basket

New mothers take on a lot, from breastfeeding and handling postpartum blues to keeping up with regular household chores and even working. And it’s not just mothers — anyone can get overwhelmed as they start to adjust to life as a parent. 

Help them relax and unwind by buying a lavish self-care gift basket. Or, if you’d like to make your own, look for products like sleep masks, fuzzy slippers, and cozy robes. Add extras like snacks, a water bottle, or an audiobook they can listen to as they relax.

Pay for a Baby Photo Shoot

While the early days are chaotic, they’re also magical. Hiring a photographer can help the new parents capture sweet moments as they settle in together. For something extra special, pay the photographer to make a professional baby book using the photos. It’s one of the best gifts for new parents if you’re going for something truly memorable. 

Edible Gifts for New Parents

Design: Sierra Lee Studio

It’s easy for cooking to fall down the to-do list when parents bring home their little one. Finding edible gifts can help lighten their load and give them more time to bond with the baby. Here are some food-related gifts that are sure to be a hit.

Send Home Cooked Meals

Make life easier by creating a meal train where friends, family, and loved ones can sign up to bring food to the parents. Sites like Meal Train can help you create sign-up sheets and organize who is bringing what meals and when. 

Alternatively, you can make one or two dishes every now and then and bring them to the parents. Just be sure to check beforehand to find out what kind of food they want, if they have any allergies you don’t know about, and when is the best time to come by.

Create an Edible Gift Box

Make your own edible gift set by filling a box or basket with the parents’ favorite treats and snacks. You can add vouchers, coupons, and gift cards to their favorite stores and restaurants to make the gift more practical. 

Sign Them up for Food Delivery Service

Let the new parents decide what they want to eat and how much help they need by giving them a subscription to a food delivery service. You can find meal kit services that deliver ingredients and ready-to-heat meals that make lunch and dinner a breeze. 

Alternatively, you can sign them up for services like Instacart, where they can buy groceries from home, or give them gift cards for things like Uber Eats so they can buy takeout when they need to.

Affordable and Low-Cost Gifts for New Parents

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Whether you’re buying Christmas gifts for the new parents or finding something special in the weeks after the baby arrives, you don’t have to break the bank. Here are some fantastic low-cost gift ideas for anyone on a budget. 

A Sweet Picture Frame

Keep it simple by giving the parents a beautiful picture frame to display their new bundle of joy. This affordable gift is easy to purchase, and you’ll find tons of options to match the parents’ preferred style. Consider snagging a digital frame if you want to go the extra mile. 

DIY Care Package

Put together your own care package with affordable items. Consider baking a few sweet treats or making some sleep masks and baby hats to add to the package. You can also go to your local drugstore and pick out a few things like snacks, drinks, and personal care products.

Affordable Custom Storybooks

Gift a beautiful gift that doesn’t cost a fortune by ordering a custom storybook from a site like Amazon or Etsy. You’ll find several affordable options that feature the baby’s name in a magical story. These make bedtime even sweeter and are sure to be cherished for years. 

Share How Much You Care With Greenvelope

With this gift guide featuring gifts for new parents, you’ll find the perfect way to support the family as they settle into their new normal. Pair your gift with a greeting card from Greenvelope and add words of encouragement and support. The customizable designs will surely bring a smile to the parents’ faces.

If you received gifts after becoming a new parent, Greenvelope can help with sending digital thank you cards for baby gifts. Choose from funny, sentimental, and formal designs to find the right tone for your gift giver. 

When you’re ready to throw a sip and see party where guests can meet the baby, Greenvelope can help with that, too! Our digital invitations are the perfect way to announce the event and keep track of RSVPs — all without leaving your home.