5 Perfect Christmas Gifts for New Moms

Scrapbook Kit

Most new moms will have hundreds of pictures of their little bundle of joy by the time baby's first birthday rolls around. Give her a way to share these special memories by providing a scrapbook kit. If she's crafty, look for a kit with plenty of options for customization. If she's impatient, look for one where all you have to do is add photos and write captions. Scrapbook kits can be purchased at any major craft store or through an online retailer such as A Cherry on Top Scrapbooking Shoppe. There are kits with baby boy themes and baby girl themes, as well as kits with gender neutral designs.

Easy Meal Ideas

What's for dinner? When you're a new mom, this is the last question you want to hear at the end of a busy day. Give her a cookbook with easy meal ideas, such as five ingredient or less casseroles or meals that you can fix in a crock pot. Or, if you're a whiz in the kitchen yourself, whip up a few freezer-friendly meals that she can reheat as needed. Mixes in a jar, such as those for soup or homemade cookies, are another possibility to consider.

Maid Service

Even women who were excellent housekeepers before they had children find that it's hard to keep your home neat and tidy when you're caring for an infant. Take some of the pressure off the special new mother in your life with a gift certificate good for a thorough housecleaning. If there's not a chain service such as Merry Maids in her community, see if you can hire a private individual who cleans houses on a part-time basis.

Gym Membership

As any mom will tell you, losing your "baby weight" isn't easy when you've got a new family member to take care of. If the new mother on your holiday shopping list is serious about getting back into shape, treat her to a few months of a gym membership with good child care facilities. However, if she's never mentioned a desire to work out, take a pass on this gift idea. Even if your intentions are good, you'll run the risk of sounding overly critical at a time when she's probably feeling less than pleased with her figure.

Coupon for Babysitting Services

If you're on a tight budget, remember that sometimes the best gifts are those that cost nothing but your time. Give the new mom a homemade gift certificate redeemable for a night or two of your babysitting services. She'll be thrilled to have a chance to enjoy an evening with her husband or to simply be able to complete her grocery shopping without worrying about getting the baby in and out of his car seat. You'll impress her with your thoughtfulness and get to spend some time snuggling with the new baby in the process!