Although traditionally, most people think of a push gift and picture jewelry or something else extravagant, there is no rule that says this is the type of present you have to buy. These gifts are meant to be heartfelt and show your appreciation for all she has endured. Therefore, depending on your situation, it may be appropriate to buy her something that she really needs. If you are in the position to give her a piece of jewelry and a necessity, by all means, do so! Otherwise, below are a few ideas of things that she will likely not receive at her baby shower, but she will absolutely appreciate.
After-Birth Clothes
Chances are good that there will be a lot of visitors stopping by while she is in the hospital and the first few days while she is home. Why not get her something that is as pretty as it is comfortable? There are going to be plenty of pictures taken, but she certainly won’t want to fuss with complicated
apparel. Get her a nice robe and some comfy yoga pants and tees. You could always buy her a pair of footed pajamas too. You will find them in an abundance of patterns and there are newborn ones to match her, which will make for adorable pictures. They are lightweight but warm, and comfortable yet appropriate for visitors.
Breast Pump
Nearly every mother-to-be has a breast pump in her registry, but it always seems to get overlooked. Is it that most people assume someone else will buy it, or do they just not feel comfortable making the purchase? You likely know whether she received one or not because it will be the first thing
she probably complains about after the shower. Do yourself a favor, go to a store and find a kind salesperson who can guide you in this purchase. There are a lot of breast pumps available, but your salesperson should know which ones new mothers prefer.
Coffee Machine
Before you go buy a generic coffee maker and assume this is appropriate, keep in mind that this is supposed to be a push gift and she is a busy, sleep-deprived new mother. Consider a machine that might make espresso and cappuccino, but make sure that it is easy to use. She will not feel like reading through a complicated owner’s manual just to get a little caffeine in her. If you have a grinder, buy her some premium beans too!
Camera
Whether you buy a new digital camera, video recorder or a combination of the two, if she does not have a quality one, now is the time to get one. Don’t forget that she will probably want to carry it around with her, but she will also have a lot of other baby gear to carry, so the more lightweight and
compact it is, the more she is sure to like it.
Coupon for Babysitting
This is a great add-on gift to give her; you can even put it in the card. Make her a coupon for babysitting, and be prepared to stay in when she actually wants to cash her coupon in. You can always have a book of coupons made with other tasks too, like a foot massage, making all the meals for a full day, etc. If you are on a tight budget, a book of personalized coupons could be a push gift that will bring tears of joy to her eyes, if she wasn’t expecting to even receive anything.