The holiday season can be hectic for everyone, yet even more so for new and expectant parents. You can ease the chaos by choosing for new and expectant parents thoughtful gifts that will be useful to them in their new roles as mother and father. New moms and dads need so much, but as the holiday gift-giver, your present will probably be more appreciated if it is a luxury (something they wouldn’t have bought for themselves) than if it is a necessity, such as a year’s supply of diapers. Here are the top holiday gift ideas for new and expectant parents.
The gift I have selected for my expectant friends is the Wireless Color Baby Monitor with Infared Night Vision from Sharper Image. Priced at only $149.95, this is a practical and affordable gift idea for new and expectant parents. The Wireless Color Baby Monitor will allow my friends to keep an eye on their baby, day or night, wherever they are. A one and a half inch color LCD screen provides a clear view in natural or artificial light, while the camera automatically switches to night vision mode using infared technology when darkness sets in. Then, a crystal clear black and white image of the baby will appear. This product features a wireless base unit with a 2.4GHz signal that is strong enough to penetrate walls, floors and ceilings, and powerful enough to operate from 300 feet away. Four channels allow the parents to select optimal reception, and the lens rotates up or down for them to choose the best viewing angle. Included with the Wireless Color Baby Monitor are AC adapters. Purchase batteries for backup power separately. Each unit weighs under five ounces. You can learn more about the Wireless Color Baby Monitor and purchase this product at www.sharperimage.com.
If your budget for your new or expectant parents is somewhat less, how about asubscription to one or more magazines devoted to infants and parenting? There are plenty of publications to choose from. Subscriptions to Mothering magazine can be purchased at http://www.mothering.com/. Subscriptions to Parenting magazine can be purchased at http://www.parenting.com/parenting/. Subscriptions to Working Mother magazine can be purchased at http://www.workingmother.com/?service=vpage/106. Finally, subscriptions to Parents magazine can be purchased at http://www.parents.com/. These are just to name a few. Prices are generally between $20 and $30 for a year’s subscription, and your thoughtful gift is sure to be remembered for at least a year. You may want to check with the new or expectant parents before ordering a subscription to see which publications they already subscribe to.
If you are not concerned about surprising the new or expectant parents, set up a professional photo shoot for their new tyke. Schedule the shoot for approximately eight to ten weeks after the baby’s birth. Professional shots can last a lifetime and your gift will take center stage in the parents’ home. Search for professional photographers in your area, and ask to view some of their work. Find a photographer who will come to the house, particularly if you are scheduling the shoot in the winter during the holidays. Prices, of course, vary from photographer to photographer, from area to area, and you usually get what you pay for. Expect to spend between $250 and $300 for a nice variety of proofs. If you are looking to spend somewhat less, consider purchasing a nice frame and blow up a nice photograph of the baby at a reliable photo shop.
If you are looking for stocking stuffers, you can never go wrong with a Christmas tree ornament that says “Baby’s First Christmas” (unless, of course, the new parents don’t celebrate Christmas). Similarly, any New Father’s or New Mother’s Survival Kits are both charming and affordable.
