15 Push Present Ideas Any New Parent Will Adore!
Becoming a parent may be one of the most blissful experiences of a new mom and dad’s life—but the whole growing, carrying, and birthing a baby part? There are a lot of decidedly non-blissful moments to that.
It’s all worth it, of course, but making a brand new person can take a toll on the body and the psyche. There’s just so much to do to get ready for a baby’s arrival that it’s easy for moms-and-dads-to-be to get overwhelmed.
Some people say that at the end of all the aches, pains, and preparation, the baby is the gift… but there’s a big camp that says new moms and dads deserve a little acknowledgment for the hard work of having a baby. And that’s where the push present comes in.
Also known as push gifts and baby baubles, a push present is more than just a gift—it’s a modern-day way to recognize the challenges and joys of pregnancy and birth, and to celebrate all the exciting new milestones to come.
What Is a Push Present?
The origins of push presents isn’t exactly clear, but sources pinpoint their start to India centuries ago when new moms were showered with gifts in a ritual called the godh bharai. As part of this ceremony, after giving birth a woman not only received gifts, they weren’t allowed to do any housework and were required to rest.
Here in the US, push presents started gaining popularity in the early 2000s as a gift new moms got from their partner to celebrate the hard work of nurturing, growing, and “pushing out” a baby. But these days, the idea of a push gift has expanded to include both moms and dads as a way to acknowledge the emotional journey of pregnancy and labor for both parents. Unlike typical baby shower gifts, the best push presents focus on the parent’s personal experience—such as a keepsake item or a little luxury—in addition to items that the baby needs.
Timing the Perfect Gift: When to Give a Push Present
Let’s be honest: there’s no bad time to give a push present, but typically, they’re given in the hospital immediately after birth or during the first few weeks at home. If the new family is hosting a postpartum homecoming celebration for the new baby, like a southern-style Sip & See, it’s a great time to give a push gift that helps the parents be prepared with everything they need to tackle life with a newborn.
Cultural norms should also be taken into account as you explore push present ideas and when to give these gifts. In India, for example, it’s customary to gift gold jewelry to new mothers as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, while in Japan, it’s considered lucky to give gifts in pairs but unlucky to give gifts in sets of four. In addition, in Japanese culture, gifts are not opened in front of people but in private.
15 of the Best Push Present Ideas
Jewelry has long been a traditional push gift idea, but these days anything goes when it comes to giving a gift that celebrates the transition to parenthood. Our list of the best push presents has something for everyone, from practical items like gear new parents may be coveting to help them care for their baby, to keepsakes, to indulgences that will make their exhausting days at home with a new baby a little easier:
- MamaRoo® Multi-Motion Baby Swing™: New parents swear by the MamaRoo because it gives them a safe, comfortable space to put their baby when they need a little break, and the parent-like motions help to soothe and entertain their baby.
- Cleanwater™ Tub: This innovative tub is a push gift that keeps on giving: it grows with the baby to make bath time safe, from the newborn stage until they’re 6+ months.
- Breeze® Plus: This all-in-one care station is a changing table, a bassinet, a play space, and a sleep space—and it packs up easily for visits to family and friends.
- Luxury Spa Day: A day of pampering and relaxation is just what new parents need! Send them to a day spa for a little getaway (and maybe even offer to babysit while they indulge!)
- High-End Skincare Products: For parents who might not crave some time away from their baby, fancy lotions and serums that help them pamper themselves and rejuvenate are winning push present ideas.
- Designer Diaper Bag: They’ll be toting a diaper bag everywhere they go for quite some time. Why not get them a statement bag that they’ll love carrying around?
- Custom Jewelry: Commemorate this special moment with a ring or necklace that’s personalized with the baby's birthdate, name, initial, or birthstone.
- Professional Family Photoshoot: Want the best push present that they’ll treasure forever? Give a gift certificate for a professional family photo shoot to snap their first photos as a new family.
- Gourmet Food Basket: Who has time to cook when they’re caring for a new baby? Send a basket packed with delicious gourmet goodies they can grab and eat when hunger strikes.
- Customized Baby Book: Give a unique keepsake gift with a picture book that’s personalized with the new baby’s name—you’ll find lots of different custom printing options online.
- Home Cleaning Service Voucher: Want a push gift idea that’s both practical and indulgent? Send a cleaning service to take over household chores so the parents can focus on caring for the baby instead of dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing.
- Streaming Service Subscription: There’s a lot of sitting around that comes with caring for a newborn. A subscription to a streaming service is one of the best push presents because it gives them new shows to binge during the marathon feeding and cuddling sessions ahead.
- Aromatherapy Diffuser Set: Life with a new baby can be, well, chaotic. An aromatherapy diffuser set can help them create a more Zen-like environment that calms the chaos.
- Scented Candle Set: Like an aromatherapy set, luxurious scented candles help create a soothing environment.
- Plush Slippers: Comfy, cozy slippers are the ultimate comfort for home-bound parents—be sure to get a pair with rubber soles or grippy bottoms so they don’t have to worry about slipping and falling.
Making Your Push Present Extra Special
Want to make your gift extra nice? Level up with these push present ideas:
- Personalization: Customize the push gift to make it extra meaningful, such as engraving jewelry with the baby’s birthdate or initials, adding a monogram to a diaper bag, or inscribing a book with a message or quote that’s special to the parents.
- Presentation: Skip the disposable wrapping paper and gift bags. Instead, wrap the gift in monogrammed baby blanket or tuck it into a swaddle that they can use again. And a thoughtful gesture, like accompanying the push present with a heartfelt speech or poem can mean as much as the present itself.
Celebrating Parenthood with the Perfect Push Presents
Our 15 push present ideas are just a starting point to help you think of a meaningful way to acknowledge the epic changes that come with pregnancy and birth while making a new mom and dad’s journey into parenthood a little smoother. Find more great products and ideas to ease the journey here.
