Christmas Gift Guide 2018 – Part 3: What To Buy Your Pregnant Friend

Yo homes, it’s time for part three of my Christmas Gift Guide extravaganza!

In case you missed it, I posted part 1 earlier this week and it revolved around lovely gifts under £30. Because no-one really spends more than that on their pals do they? You can read it over here.

Then, as I’ve been big on gifting experiences rather than things this year, I also put together a guide just for experienced-based presents in part 2. Lots of cool ideas in there if I say so myself. (You can read it over here).

And well, seeing as I am currently 7 months pregnant and due to bring an actual real-life human being into the world just after Christmas, I figured I should use my particular branch of insight this year and put together a guide on what to buy your pregnant gal pal for Christmas.

Let’s do this.

What NOT To Buy Your Pregnant Friend For Christmas

Well, let’s start with what’s OUT. Because there are some restrictions in place for your pregs pal this year I’m afraid.

Food & Drink They Can’t Have

Obvs you can’t go for the easy option of buying your home gal a delicious bottle of red and a nice cheese board. Although honestly, I’m dreaming of that. Cheesey camembert dreams. And mulled wine. Oh baby… Two more months to go.

Clothes

You should probably also stay away from buying clothes for your bosom buddy. Unless it’s your best friend and you’re intimately aware of her current sizing situation. Because the thing is, I don’t think what you look like when you’re pregnant necessarily represents your clothes size, it’s not something you can guess. I’ve been bought maternity clothes in my usual size with the thinking that it’s just the bump you need to accommodate, but lol you gain weight everywhere, kiddo. Even if you don’t look like you have to other people.

What I’m getting at is – it’s not worth the hassle. Just don’t go for clothes unless your pal has asked for something specific!

Baby Stuff

I’m also of the opinion that your present for your pregnant friend shouldn’t actually be for her unborn baby… This may be controversial, but chances are she already has a shit load of stuff for her new arrival. Or even if she’s newly pregnant, there will be lots of presents for the baby to come. Trust me.

Your Christmas present should be a gift that’s actually for her. Pregnancy can be all baby-baby-baby for a very long time after all, and sometimes it’s just nice to feel like your normal self again.

What To Buy Your Pregnant Friend For Christmas

Relaxing Beauty Treats

No matter what stage of pregnancy you’re at, I think you’re very aware that you need to relax and slow down a bit. It’s good for the baby and good for the mama-to-be. So great presents to receive for Christmas are bath bombs, bath oils, face masks and nice moisturisers. My babe of a pal Sam sent me bath bombs in the post a little while ago, just because. And it was the best treat ever. (She’s a keeper.)

Word to the wise, just be aware of buying nice natural products and nothing with too many chemicals. Stick to Lush or The Body Shop and you can’t go wrong, mate. Here’s a few good’uns to start you off:

1. The Body Shop Face Mask Set £10 – https://bit.ly/2yRWujn

2. The Body Shop Festive Hand Cream Set £15 – https://bit.ly/2zppZIY

3. Lush Jolly Holidays Gift Set £37.95 – https://bit.ly/2SHy6JT

4. Lush Christmas Presents Gift Set £27.95 –  https://bit.ly/2SNpFwi

Cute Accessories

Clothing may be out, but luckily accessories are still in! Although I’d avoid footwear as feet can swell during the later stages of pregnancy, just FYI. (It’s proper glam isn’t it?)

Great options include statement earrings, a pretty scarf or a nice bag. I included a few of these in my Gifts Under £30 post earlier this week but here’s a few more to add to the mix:

1. ASOS Rainbow Scarf £18 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UyCO

2. Topshop Earrings £12.50 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UyCa

3. Reclaimed Vintage Cactus Earrings £12 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UyEe

4. ASOS Bandana £8 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UyEg

5. ASOS Leopard Sunglasses £12 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UyEf

Things To Make Her Feel Cosy

I mean, I like these kind of cosy, hygge gifts every year… But when you’re pregnant, you do feel the urge to hibernate more strongly I think!

What I’m talking about here is a soft throw, a nice candle, some warm slipper socks or an eye mask (good for the hospital bag too). I’d also throw PJs, loungewear or slippers into the mix, but like I said, sizing can be a bit of a minefield when pregnant so only go for it if you’re certain.

Here’s some I quite like:

1. M&S Fairisle Booties £15 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UyRA

2. Typo Sleep Mask £6 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UyUl

3. Festive Cat Mug £4 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UyTj

4. Anthropologie Candle £22 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UySY

A Good Book

The only books I bought myself for most of my pregnancy were about being pregnant, preparing for birth and early parenting. So on the odd occasion I’ve stopped to read a ‘normal’ book, I’ve really enjoyed it and felt more like myself, y’know? Just enjoying normal non-baby-mama-to-be things is key to staying sane I think!

I really enjoyed the Dolly Alderton book this month and have a few more on my night stand waiting to be read. But here’s a few I’d recommend anyhow:

1. Everything I know About Love by Dolly Alderton – https://amzn.to/2D1qyfr

2. Ctrl Alt Delete by Emma Gannon – https://amzn.to/2D15cPf

3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – https://amzn.to/2OpWxIh

4. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – https://amzn.to/2zvP6Km

A Post-Baby Hamper

Ok, I’m going to contradict myself a little here. But I think a nice gift for someone nearing their due date, is a few little things they can enjoy after the baby is born. I mean, I think this is just for people in the third trimester like me, otherwise you’re just rubbing in their face what they can’t have! But it’s something I heard someone do recently and think it would be cool.

The kind of things I mean: wine, brie, pâté, steak, the things they’ve missed during pregnancy. Or you can go down the other route and get things they’d like on maternity leave: a new boxset to watch, a self-care book for new mums… The choice is yours.

But like I said only for those about to pop. Here’s a few ideas:

1. M&S Wine and Cheese Hamper £50 – http://shopstyle.it/l/UyZP

2. Book of Self Care For New Mums – https://amzn.to/2OoquZh

3. Grey’s Anatomy Season 14 Boxset – https://amzn.to/2OorhJJ

4. Camembert Cheese Baker – https://amzn.to/2AMotCK

There you have it, my third and final Christmas guide this year, specifically for your pregnant gal pal. Let me know if you end up getting anything from this list!

Head on over to my Instagram and Twitter channels for more regular updates on my travels, my pregnancy and life in general.

Total Blogger Transparency: This post contains some affiliate links but I only ever recommend products or services I love. I wouldn’t play you like that, shorty.