I'm not a “new” parent anymore – not by a long shot – but hindsight and three children have given me the clarity to create a concise yet thorough list of everything that a new parent really wants to see under the tree this season. Here are the best gifts for new parents.
These things will make life easier and remind new parents that the outside world hasn't been taken over by walkers. Some of the items listed might even give them the chance to laugh.
Or eat.
Or even sleep.
Noise-canceling headphones. Yes, I'm serious. Obviously you shouldn't just drown out your baby by blaring Coldplay into your eardrums. However, if mom and dad are switching off, this can be just the ticket for one of them to find a moment of peace.
Kinsa thermometer. We've been working with Kinsa for awhile now, and we continue to be thoroughly impressed. This thing syncs to your phone to keep track of the whole family's fever patterns – no more taking messy notes to report degrees back to the doctor at 3am. Pair this with some Nyquil for a home-run “get well soon” package that will lift the heck out of a new parent's spirits next time they or their kids fall ill.
Restaurant gift cards. The last thing most parents feel like doing after being spit-up on is cooking spaghetti. For those nights when they really need a win, this can be a lifesaver.
Cards Against Humanity. Nothing makes you feel socially awkward quite as suddenly as ejecting a human being from your body. Lack of sleep simply nukes the ability to conduct conversation. This wildly hysterical game is our cure for that! Someone gave it to Nate and I after Minion was born and it served as the perfectly inappropriate way to get laughter going when good friends would drop by to check in on us.
Copious amounts of alcohol and/or caffeine. Yup, totally serious. Coffee can help parents survive when baby inexplicably decides not to sleep for 32 hours straight, and a glass of wine can help them toast to their success when the kid finally conks out. It's the little things.
A good diaper bag. This sounds lame, but most of us tear through these things pretty fast. A sturdy tote can make life five jillion times easier.
What do you like to give to new parents?