5 Meaningful Gifts to Give to Parents

1. Supportive physical presence:

For new parents, the time they have in hand to socialise reduces drastically. This is most often the case when the newly born is very young. However, their desire to spend time with their near and dear ones remains the same. One of the best gifts you could give to new parents is to visit them in-person. Ask them for a good time to visit. Offer to make them tea/coffee when you get to their house. Just hang-around as they go about their work, attending to the child, managing big emotions (theirs/child’s etc.). Be physically present. Plan fun activities that you all enjoy for when the child goes to sleep (e.g. watching movies together, ordering food, karaoke, playing cards, dancing, singing). Just be present for them.

2. Children’s Books:

When you gift parents children's books, the gift means as much to them as to the child. It can be an opportunity for them to relive their childhood with their child. It can help them build rituals with their little human. It's something that can be with them forever. You can personalise it. This could be an opportunity for them to talk to their child about you and for their child to get to know you better. (Your choices, tastes, sense of humour etc.)

3. Offer to Babysit:

Once you have built enough rapport with your friend/brother/sister/cousin's child, offer to babysit even if they don’t have an important job to do or don’t have to go somewhere. This will allow them to have their me/self-care time. Any parent would welcome a break from their daily routine, especially when they know in their heart that their child is having fun with their favourite aunt/uncle.

4. Love their child:

There is no greater gift for a parent than knowing that there are people in their world who love their children deeply. Let your friend/cousin witness this beautiful connection between you and their child. Cherish spending time with their child. Communicate that you miss them when you haven't met their child in a long time. Greet their child with a warm smile. Let your heart melt when their child smiles. Love their child with all your heart.

5. Food:

Food can bring happiness & joy. Especially for parents, whose food choices may revolve around their children's taste buds, ordering their favourite food could be a great gift. Take them out for lunch if they have the time or order in. Make Maggi for them when you visit their house, laugh about the burnt Dal that you two made together while savouring the Chinese take away. Simple food shared between loved ones can create long-lasting memories.

The next time you think of gifting parents something, hope you consider these suggestions.

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