A gift basket filled with pregnancy-related goodies is a wonderful way to congratulate an expectant mom, and creating your own allows you to control the price and tailor the gifts to the recipient. Although it may be tempting to fill the basket with cute items for the baby, this is a great time to focus on the mom and provide her with months of pampering before her newborn arrives and the excitement of motherhood begins.
Help Her Chronicle Her Journey
Many moms-to-be enjoy chronicling their nine-month journey to preserve the memories and excitement for themselves and their child. Journals made specifically for pregnant women can be found in bookstores and online for an average of $15 as of 2009, but any pretty blank notebook or journal will work. If you're feeling crafty, you can even decorate one yourself for an extra-special touch, perhaps adding a special message to the baby about your favorite memory of his mom.
Pamper Her
Massage oils, lotions with vitamin E or cocoa butter and lip balms in her favorite flavor will help mom-to-be relieve the itchy, dry skin that can accompany pregnancy and are available in just about every price range. Just be sure to use caution when selecting products made with essential oils, as many can be unsafe during pregnancy. For those with a higher budget, a certificate to a local day spa that specializes in prenatal massage will give her the ultimate pampering experience.
Soothe Her
Help ease morning sickness and promote relaxation with a selection of decaffeinated herbal teas containing peppermint or ginger. Peppermint can help calm the stomach muscles and improve digestion according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Ginger has been used for centuries for digestive health. Some pregnant women also find sour candies to be helpful in relieving morning sickness.
Educate and Entertain Her
It can be very exciting for a mom-to-be to read about every stage of her baby's development, and there are dozens of books on the subject, including those that detail each week of pregnancy. Baby name books are often appreciated if she hasn't already chosen a name. You can also forgo pregnancy books entirely and get her a few novels she's been wanting to read to help pass the time in the waiting room at doctor visits.
Give Her a Last Hurrah
New mothers rarely get the chance to enjoy a night to themselves during the first few months after the baby is born. A gift certificate to her favorite fancy restaurant, passes to the movie theater or tickets to a play will give her a chance to have one last hurrah before settling in for round-the-clock feedings and bonding her with her new bundle of joy. If she has other children, throw in a "free babysitting" coupon.
