Finding the right gift for new parents can be a tricky task. Many tend to be for the baby — who, though cute, is not the one running on fumes — while others don’t account for the realities of welcoming a new, unpredictable human into the home.
To help you shop for the new parents in your life, we sought out helpful gifts, including keepsakes that will make them sob (in a good way) and functional items to help keep meals on the table. While the newborn season can be tough, these presents will make it just a little bit easier — and, even better, a time that they’ll look back on with joy.
Best gifts for new parents in 2023
Below, we’ve gathered a variety of gift ideas we think may be great for new parents, including top sellers from previous years’ gift guides, Select editor favorites and products from brands we’ve written about and tried before.
Bubzi Co Baby Handprint and Footprint Makers Kit
Help them remember how small their baby once was. This kit, which has an average 4.6-star rating across 15,715 reviews, lets new parents memorialize their baby’s handprints and footprints via an elegant frame, along with two square photos. The clay is newborn-safe and nontoxic and comes with double-sided tape, letter stamps, an acrylic safety cover and white wooden frame, according to Bubzi Co.
Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager
Cradling a newborn can strain the body, leading to back- and neck aches. Among the best electric back massagers is this cordless device, which they can keep on the couch for easy use without taking up too much space. It has four knobs that rotate in circular motions to help melt knots, and includes a heat function to soothe tired muscles, according to the brand.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
If they prefer to cook their own meals, but don’t want a ton of cleanup, the Instant Pot Duo is a great pick. The electric pressure cooker can make meals in minutes rather than an hour, and all they have to do is prep veggies or meat to go inside the pot. The pot has seven different functions, such as rice cooker and steamer, along with 13 customizable “smart programs” for making soups, poultry or even desserts.
Aura Carver WiFi Digital Picture Frame
Another way to keep memories safe is to circulate your favorite photos in a digital picture frame. This frame connects to Wi-Fi and the Aura app, through which your recipient can easily add photos for display, according to the brand. With an average 4.8-star rating out of 9,210 reviews on Amazon, this is a gift that new parents will be able to use for a long time to enjoy memories of their children as they grow older.
iRobot Roomba i3 EVO (3150) Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum
When parents are in survival mode, household chores drop off the to-do list. Take care of it entirely with this WiFi-enabled robot vacuum, which is more affordable than premium models, but offers intelligent mapping and home navigation, according to the brand. They can use the corresponding app to see a map of their space, set cleaning schedules and install no-go zones around the house, as detailed by iRobot.
1-800-Flowers Radiant Ranunculus Bouquet
Brighten their home with this bouquet of ranunculus, which have thick layers of soft petals and long, elegant stems; they come in an array of cheerful colors, although these can vary by order. The bouquet includes 20 stems grown in the Andes Mountains, and comes with the option of adding an apothecary-style vase, according to the brand.
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
A cashmere sweater feels luxurious and timeless, and Quince offers it without the usual markup. This sweater, which is a favorite of NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider’s , is made of 100% mongolian cashmere and comes in 18 colors. With its relaxed fit and ribbing on cuffs and hem, it’s cozy enough for lounging yet elegant enough for an outing.
Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
A good weighted blanket makes the rare downtime even better. This one, which is a favorite of NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin, comes in 10- and 15-pound versions, and is available in cream and gray. It also has an open-knit design that increases airflow, keeping your recipient cool, while the polyester jersey fabric is super soft, according to the brand.
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2
A leisurely cup of coffee or tea is hard to come by amid diaper changes and feedings, but this smart mug, which keeps drinks hot, will at least keep it hot in between. It has 80 minutes of battery life with a full charge, or can stay juiced up on its charging coaster. Your giftees can operate the mug, which has an average 4.5-star rating from 7,954 reviews, via an app to set temperature preferences along with preset options.
Bombas Women’s Sunday Slipper
If they’re logging miles around the house while rocking the baby to sleep, make it more comfortable for them with these slippers. Not only are they covered in cozy sherpa, but they’re also built with memory foam and an EVA midsole (a foam-like material) to offer support, according to the brand. There’s a men’s version as well, which are also available in neutral colors.
Murray’s Cheese Cheeseboard of the Month Club
Bring date night to them, no babysitter needed, with this cheese club delivers a curated selection of cheeses, meats and complementary pairings — think almond crisps and dried apricots — to their door. The cheese is selected by Murray’s cheesemongers and even comes with serving tips.
The Citizenry Mara Organic Waffle Robe
For days where getting dressed up isn’t in the cards, your giftees can wear this NBC Select Bed & Bath Awards winner, which pairs a waffle weave with soft cotton fabric for easygoing lounging. It comes in three colors, and the cotton is loomed according to fair trade practices in Turkey, according to the brand. “Being in this robe is like a gentle hug, soft and comforting,” says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. “I wear it after I shower or just to lounge around the house, but if I could I’d never take it off.”
Better Every Day Journal
Life with a newborn can be a blur, but this journal, which has an average 5-star rating from across 515 reviews from the brand’s website, can be a good reminder to pause and take stock. It has 365 different prompts that encourage self-reflection, such as “What are you grateful for today?” and “What activities bring you joy?”, alongside predated pages to promote a daily habit. The bleed-proof paper and vegan leather binding also give it a luxurious feel, according to the brand.
Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer for Smartphones
Not everyone has the tech know-how (or the storage space) for an iCloud drive, so if they want to share photos with great-grandma, this mini photo printer makes it easy. Not only is it super small, making it portable, but it also prints the tiny 2- by 3-inch photos (on Zink photo paper) via Bluetooth — no cords required. It also charges quickly, it can replenish its battery in as little as 45 minutes, according to the brand.
Grace & Stella Energizing Eye Masks
Sleepless nights beget dark under-eye circles, but these eye patches can help. Designed to reduce puffiness and boost hydration, these hydrogel masks are infused with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and amino acids to de-puff and smooth the eye area, according to the brand. They have an average 4.4-star rating from across 15,930 reviews, and are both vegan and cruelty-free.
Therabody Theragun Mini
Therabody electric massage guns are ideal for loosening sore muscles. The compact version is small enough to pack in a tote or carry-on bag and has three speeds, three attachments and a battery that lasts 120 minutes on a full charge, according to the brand. Your giftee can connect it via Bluetooth to the corresponding app for a variety of routines too.
The Jolie Filtered Showerhead
A shower might be the one opportunity new parents have to relax. This high-pressure showerhead filter upgrades their experience by removing heavy metals and chlorine from shower water, thereby reducing dry skin and hair fading, according to the brand. It also comes with all the tools they’ll need for DIY installment, including plumbers tape and a how-to guide. It’s available in five finishes and has 4.4-star average rating from more than 250 reviews on Amazon.
Why trust Select?
Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty and wellness writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade, including topics like diaper bags and pregnancy pillows, and is a mom to a three-month-old daughter. For this article, Pai included bestselling products from past NBC Select gift guides, items our editors use and love themselves or products from brands we’ve written about before.
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