Small Gift or Gesture for Acquaintance Neighbor with a Newborn

[Anonymous]

Non parishable snacks, gift cards as others have mentioned, and company. PACE is a great idea. How close do you live? I was in an apartment with my first and neighbors I barely new asked what we were doing for Thanksgiving. My DD was slightly premature and only 6 weeks at Thanksgiving and family was too far away. They immediately invited us to their gathering and all I had to do was go down the hall. After weeks of isolation (doctors told me not to even take her to the grocery store) that triggered strong blues if not PPD realizing I could leave the apartment with my baby - but also go back home really easily - was a great first outing. Those former neighbors are now among our closest friends - basically they're family.

[Anonymous]

I remember getting a sweet tiny gift bag with three pudgy board books in it from an acquaintance neighbor. The note said these were favorites of her kids and wished us much happiness.

I also remember a tray of cheesecake desserts from one of DH's coworkers. Oh wow did I love those late night snacks when I was nursing!

[Anonymous]

As another new mom, I second food! We have had so many people send food and it is heavenly to just not have to think about it.

[Anonymous]

Yup, food. I'd leave it at her front door with a nice note, so she would not feel pressured to entertain my company.

[Anonymous]

I would make some healthy muffins and big bowel f fruit and those $30 chew bead necklace. Had baby and meals were great- but one of my favorites was a neighbor brought nice couple of ziplock of blueberry and bran muffins- a huge Tupperware of strawberries, blueberries and grapes washed and cleaned. Then a chew bead necklace. Loved the food and it was used for breakfast / lunch and snacks a few days.

[Anonymous]

My go to for new mom's has been Bluebird Dinners. They deliver fully cooked meals for a reasonable price and all you have to do is hear them. You can also order a gift card via email and drop it off for her.

[Anonymous]

Food: I love to give people something that can be eaten with one hand and/or something that could double as breakfast the next day. Cut up fruit is great for this, and surprisingly, salads. A big container of full fat yogurt is also a go to for new mom meals.

Whatever you do, it sounds like it will be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a new mom I would say skip a traditional baby gift -- she probably has too much already -- and instead bring a bunch of containers of pre-cut fruit from Whole Foods. And include a note that a thank you note is not expected and that she should take the time she would have otherwise taken to write a note to close her eyes for a few minutes. You don't want your very nice gesture to be more stressful to her, especially as she is dealing with PPD symptoms. You are a very nice neighbor for thinking of this!

+1000

[Anonymous]

A gift certificate for a deep cleaning of her home along with a lovely congratulations Hallmark card.

And include a note letting her know if she ever feels extremely overwhelmed then she can all you.

[Anonymous]

Please take food. Even a nice banana bread if not a whole meal.

[Anonymous]

Muffins! Who doesn't love that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Muffins! Who doesn't love that?

A family with a newborn loves literally anything anyone brings by. I remember being so bone tired but so hungry and ultimately deciding that I did not have the energy to fix any food so I would just sleep and be hungry instead. But on the days when someone had brought something I could just wander out into the kitchen, hack into and stuff in my face before napping, I could easily do that and not be hungry. I remember coming home from the hospital and our next door neighbor had delivered a delicious chocolate bundt cake drenched in chocolate syrup. God that tasted amazing at that moment in time. Like a big hug.

[Anonymous]

food. but if you dont know her well, something from the grocery store (think quiche and soup and fruit with a loaf of bread). so helpful to have food to feed the rest of the family and not have to worry about cooking.

[Anonymous]

Our neighbor brought us a frozen lasagna and it was greatly appreciated. No sides, accompaniments or anything like that. She just picked up and extra one when she was out getting food for her own family.

[Anonymous]

I was like all moms after my son was born -- totally overwhelmed and exhausted. But I never understood the emphasis people put on getting food to you. It was not hard for someone, usually husband, to stop at the store once a week and buy 7 frozen lasagnas or similar premade dinners that involve zero time, and a stack of bananas and granola bars and yogurt cups. I'm not sure why a handmade lasagna from a friend was easier or better? That said, of course muffins, casserole, gift card or whatever will be welcomed by this woman - not because any of it will be particularly helpful but because it is a kind gesture!

That said, at 3 weeks, 2 months or 6 months, what I most appreciated was having another person around. I would have loved a "nosy" neighbor who knocked on my door and said "meet you at the corner in 15 minutes and we'll go for an hour walk around the neighborhood". But that was just me! I missed people and talking.