Gift basket ideas for Niece

Parent Cafe
21

I was put on bed rest almost exactly 23 years ago (I think it was Jan 18) and my due date was May 11. I made it one week and my daughter was born Jan 25, 16 weeks early. Not the course I’d recommend so I hope your niece does make it the 4 months.

I’d suggest some games or card games like Uno or scrabble so that she can play with her husband or anyone who can visit. If she likes crafts, a cross-stitch project, something that comes pre-packaged with the backing and threads and needles. My friend was non ambulatory for 4 months last spring after breaking her femur and I sent games (from Amazon - easy), others sent flowers, meals from local restaurants (friend’s husband is a gem and he picked them up or at least met the delivery guys). She is a really big reader, but she said even she couldn’t read 15 hours a day!

I think it would be nice to send a small package every few weeks. It’s so nice to get mail when you are stuck at home.

22

I was laid up with a broken ankle for three months a few years ago and spent much of my time working on a small cross stitch. And recently I quickly made a stitch and zip needlepoint eyeglass case that I use for my iPhone. Maybe a long stitch kit that would look good in the baby’s room?

Another idea would be coloring books and pencils.

I also know some addictive free iPad games but you can’t mail them.

23

How old is your niece? If she is a mom to be she could be as young as 20ish to as old as 40ish. I think some of these ideas - again, like cross stitch - are not necessarily going to be of interest to a younger mom to be.

24

I did sewing and crafts such as cross stitch and knitting starting at age 10 and still do them at age 60. I think if you are a crafter, you are a crafter.

25

Hand cream (L’Occitane has a lovely set of 6 tubes; you could send one tube a month)
Dry Shampoo for when she doesn’t feel like / can’t shower
Lip Balms
Lap Desk/Tray
Jigsaw Puzzles
Playing Cards
Gum / Breath Mints / Tic Tacs
Variety of fruit / herbal teas (small bedside electric kettle)
Hand mirror & hair Brush
A Pregnancy Journal & pens
Sheepskin Rug (for under the sheet to prevent pressure sores)
Sheepskin socks to prevent cracked heels

26

…and maybe an inflatable ‘donut’ to relieve pressure on back/bottom/lower spine

27

Love the dry shampoo, audiobook, dvd and food delivery ideas. FWIW, when I was on bed rest I had a hard time reading books or being on my laptop because my arm would fall asleep from the awkward position I was in. It was also a lot harder to digest food in a laying down position. My favorite gift was my parents paid for a cleaning lady. One of my friends made a point of telling me to watch a certain TV show and then would call me after the show to chat about it. It made for an easy conversation.

28

My sister also loved a cleaning service/person when she was a new mom, especially someone to do ironing and windows—chores she especially disliked.

29

My DIL was doing cross stitch at Christmas. My mil yelled at everyone being on their phones (super annoying, just let them be) so she stopped playing candy crush on her phone and got out her cross stitch. Said that she likes having something to do with her hands. My D knits for the same reason.

I was on bed rest during the 1988 Olympics, if you want to know anything about them, I’m your person :slight_smile:

30

I actually might take back my comment on cross stitch. Seems there are some kits now that are more modern and not “country farmhouse” like I remember. I haven’t done it in ages - but am sort of tempted to try one!

31

Scrapbooking is fun too…if she might like doing that.

I like the jigsaw puzzle idea, but make sure you get one of those roll up mats to do it on…so she can do some…and then come back to it later.

What about something like a four month Fruit of the Month? She might enjoy the nice fruit variety.

32

How can you do scrapbooking and puzzles if you have to stay laying down? I’m not trying to be argumentative, I can’t envision how that could be done.

33

@melvin123 bedrest does NOT always mean laying down 24/7.

34

I was thinking the same @melvin123. When I was on bed rest, I was to be off my feet laying on one side, can’t remember which one but it was to increase blood flow to the fetus. I was allowed to go to the bathroom and fix food but that was it. But then this was years ago and now it’s s a generation later. It doesn’t seem that long

Jigsaw puzzles I usually have to be sitting at a table

35

It’s the left side…IIRC.

The OP needs to check any restrictions this niece has.

36

If you search online “gifts young woman bedrest” you will get LOTS of lists and suggestions from others, often moms who were ordered to be on bedrest. Good luck! You are very thoughtful and caring!

37

What about playing interactive online games with her? I can’t say I know the details of what is available, but I know people do it… for example, Words with Friends.

38

OP here, busy weekend and just caught up. There are a lot of great ideas, thanks! Niece is 31 and this is her first baby (a girl). I’ll have to figure out how to organize the care packages. Thanks again!