Skip the Onesies & Go for an Experience Gift for the Mama-To-Be

Experience gifts tend to provide more enduring happiness than material ones. With this in mind, what do you plan on getting the mama-to-be for her baby shower? Of course, she registered for hooded towels, swaddle blankets, and a Diaper Genie — and she really does need these items, but she’ll get them. Why don’t you get her something she’ll remember for years to come? Go off the beaten path with a unique experience gift that will offer memories to last a lifetime.

Newborn Photo Shoot

Help her capture the magic of her teeny tiny newborn by giving her the experience of having a newborn photo shoot. Many photographers will schedule these specialty sessions only between 4-14 days of life, so it’s important to book well ahead of time. Mama-to-be can book now according to her due date and adjust timing when the baby actually arrives.

Theater/Concert Tickets

The last month of pregnancy seems to last a lifetime. Give her something to look forward to before the baby arrives. And, if the theater is her happy place, tickets to a fun Broadway play are in order. You can find great deals online from sites like Telecharge.com that allow for the best seats possible.

If it’s music she’s really into, give her tickets to see her favorite band in concert.

Sushi Dinner

If you’re a sushi lover, then you’ll understand how precious the first bite of yellowtail sashimi can be after nine months of not having any. Eating it will be the first thing on her to-do list after the baby is born. Give her a gift certificate to a Japanese restaurant as her baby shower gift, and she'll love you forever.

Cheese of the Month Club

The mama-to-be also had to avoid soft cheeses like brie, Camembert, and feta for nine long months, and it was rough. But she’s almost done with that part of her life and will be ready to indulge again. A Cheese of the Month Club membership from Wisconsin Made, which ships across the country, will give her a new ooey, gooey, cheesy experience every month.

If it’s bubbly she's been missing, try Uncorked Ventures Wine of the Month Club.

Prenatal Massage

The last trimester of pregnancy can be painful. Her back is surely sore; her energy level is the pits. A prenatal massage can help relieve some of the stress and relax those weary bones if only for a few hours. Be sure you find a masseuse who specializes in pre-natal massage so they know exactly what they are doing.

Lessons/Classes

Arrange time for her to indulge in her hobbies and get some much needed and well-deserved time to herself (or with her girlfriends). Whether she chooses to experience these gifts now or after the baby is born, these moments are sure to be memorable. Some ideas include:

• Sip and Paint class
• Pottery class
• Guitar lessons
• Tennis lessons
• Dance classes
• Yoga

Zoo Membership

Especially if this isn’t her first kid, gift her an annual membership to the local zoo, botanical gardens or aquarium to help her keep the little ones entertained throughout the year.

What's the best baby shower gift you've given?

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