My sister announced her first pregnancy at Thanksgiving dinner a few years back. That Christmas, she got piles of baby clothes and books about pregnancy and child-rearing and nothing for herself. I must guiltily admit I was one of those people who got swept up in purchasing adorable baby clothes and forgot to treat my sister like she was her own person, instead of a walking incubator for the family’s first grandbaby. To put that in perspective to non-moms, it wasn’t that much different than if someone decided to buy you tickets for a conference on MySQL just because you were married to a computer programmer. Now that I’ve been through my own pregnancy, I’ve learned that you can still get gifts that acknowledge a woman’s pregnancy without being solely about the baby that’s growing inside of her. Here are fantastic go-to gifts for the mom-to-be on your Christmas shopping list:
Image source: Modernhippiemag.com
Clothing And Accessories
Rapidly cycling hormones can often affect body temperature, meaning a pregnant woman can be freezing cold one moment, and dripping sweat the next. It’s not comfortable, and it can make an already sensitive woman feel unattractive. A shawl like this finely-woven Nimli pashmina made from eco-friendly viscose will fit a woman through all stages of her pregnancy and can be easily taken off and on as hormone flashes hit. Even better, it is chic, vibrant, and stylish. I’m also a fan of giving standout jewelry pieces to moms-to-be that may need something to punch up their maternity wardrobe. This eco-friendly charm at Uncommon Goods is made from recycled windshield glass, and its dragonfly motif is symbolic of new beginnings.
Image source: Runka.com
Body and Beauty
Partway through my second trimester, I began to lose my hair in clumps. I have a lot of hair, but it was still pretty terrifying. This isn’t uncommon: your body is just diverting nutrients to your unborn child. So, to compensate for loss of food nutrients, I recommend using a deeply nourishing shampoo and conditioner, like the Living Nature line available at Saffron Rouge to strengthen hair.
A more known side effect of pregnancy is stretch marks. I didn’t have any until nearly the end of my pregnancy, at which point they popped out with a vengeance. I wish I had started treating them before they got as bad as they did. I have found that Hellomellow’s Preggo Butter Body Oil available at Runka has worked wonders: I give it away to my friends early in their pregnancies so they can use it as a pre-emptive strike.
Image source: Luuux.com
Tasty Treats
When I was pregnant it felt like there was nothing I could eat. Beer, wine, coffee (a particular favorite of mine), diet soda, soft cheeses, club sandwiches stuffed with deli meat, sushi: so many of my favorite foods were off-limits. So I love gifting my pals with some culinary delights they can indulge in. Dark chocolate is actually beneficial to pregnant women. I recommend Dagoba’s organic chocolate bars in lemon ginger, as ginger is a great treatment for moms-to-be who struggle with crippling hyperemesis. And for pregnant ladies who have been missing out on holiday cocktails, Joia all-natural sodas make a great gift. They are caffeine-free, so safe for pregnant ladies, and their Poinsettia Punch recipe is so good you won’t even miss the alcohol.
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