Good Christmas gift for preggers SIL?

[villanelle75]

I posted a while back about getting baby realted Christmas gifts for BIL and pregant wife and after gettign CC feedback decided it was a bad idea. However, we are really strugling with what to get them this year (Yes, I'm an obsessive early shopper). I understand that many moms said they would have been hurt to get baby stuff for themsleves since it can be construed as a gift that isn't really for them and they don't want to lose all identity to the baby so a storller or onsie is out. We are now considering finding a meal delivery service and paying for a week worth (or more, dependign on cost) of delivered meals that they can use after the baby is born (EDD eally April). Is this a bad idea as a Christmas gift for the parents? We'd also get them something else small for themselves- a ruby (her birthstone) necklace and earing set I've bought for her and soemthing for him.

TIA!

[laura]

I think it depends. If you are the kind of people who will also get them a gift when the baby is born, then I would save the meal service for then. What about something baby-related, but also for them? I got my MOH this picture frame for Xmas right before her baby was born:

http://images.redenvelope.com/is/image/production/FD4_139417_W?nanos=770&qlt=75,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.5,1.0,0.0,0&wid=250&hei=250

Plus you could throw in a GC to a picture place, like Picture People or something if you wanted. I don't think the meal service is bad, though. I'm assuming you don't live near them?

Actually, all of that said, I think it's okay to get them something "for the baby" if you're also getting them individual gifts. I think this is especially true if they may have a financial hardship in buying all the stuff a baby needs on their own, and/or if they aren't planning to have a baby shower.

[kindermom]

I would not have minded gifts for the baby as my own gift, particularly in the beginning (I was excited) and towards the end (my identity was morphing) of my pregnancy. That said, I do not think I would want a gift that I know I could not use for 4 months! The meal gift sounds great, but it may be too soon to give it. If you do give something baby related, I would recommend something that it more tangible now rather than once the baby is born.

Both my husband and I would have loved spa treatments for Christmas. Neither of us slept very well by the middle of my pregnancy. A nice massge and facial would have been greatly appreciated at that point.

[jh124]

Can't comment on Christmas, but my birthday was yesterday and everything was all about the baby...I mean geez, I love my baby, but I'm more than a human incubator. My wonderful DH was pretty much the only one who got me non-baby related items/cards/etc. Yes, I'm 37 weeks and could pop at any time, but that doesn't mean that I'm not still Jill!

Sorry, pregnant hormones raging!!

I'd skip baby related stuff and get them stuff that they may not be able to enjoy post-baby. Like a nice grown up dinner. Or a massage, as someone suggested.

[AttyGrl74]

I think you can do stuff that will be useful after a baby comes that isn't baby-related.

I would have KILLED for a maid service or a massage or your idea of getting a food service delivered in.

None of which are necessarily related to baby, but would definately be cool to have when the baby comes!

[cece]

for christmas, i actually prefer that gifts are for my son and not me. (jh124-now, your birthday should have been about you since it was your birthday after all!) since the baby isn't due until after christmas though, i think it would be nice to give gifts that pertain to them and not the baby. almost a year after my son was born, i was given a certificate for a 1.5 hour facial at a spa. i didn't realize how badly i needed a little extra pampering and "me time". i still dream about that facial.

the gift of delivered meals is brilliant and will be so appreciated. i think that is the ultimate "new baby" gift. my favorite was from friends of ours that delivered 4 bags full of trader joe's groceries and prepared foods. heaven.

*c

[Cali_Katy]

For Valentine's Day last year my husband gave me a gift certificate for a prenatal massage and facial (my skin was horrible while pregnant), and that was absolutely heavenly. It was such a nice treat and made me feel so good.

Also, I woudl have loved it if someone had given me a really nice, posh diaper bag. That's something that's really more for the woman than the baby, but with all the other baby expenses, it can be hard to justify to splurge on something like that for yourself!

[kat]

I have already been "hinting" (very, very strongly ;) :) ) to my DH and my family that I would love love love love any sort of spa treatment for Christmas and my b-day (which is in January), but particularly a pregnancy massage. I'm already having back issues, so by then it'll be a wonderful gift.

I agree with jh124 that sometimes it's nice not to feel like EVERYTHING has to be about the baby, even if you are really excited about being a mom.

[December27JJB]

You could give her a gift card for massage or to Target or Old Navy because they have Maternity clothes and baby clothes (Target has baby stuff) She can get what she wants/likes?

[Pookie]

The meal delivery service sounds like a great gift to me. I had no idea how exhausted I'd be during the first 6 weeks. Next time I'm asking for that kind of thing early on.

[Chylynn]

Last year for Christmas I received a lot of gift certificates to places where I can buy maternity clothes to get me through the remaining portion of my pregnancy. I really appreciated them!