Tips on choosing the perfect maternity leave or new baby gift

Choosing a gift for a colleague going on maternity leave or a client who has had a new baby need not be a chore. Here, Founder of The Essential Bag Company and mother Alexis Goldfinch shares her top three tips for choosing the perfect present for a new baby that will be remembered for years to come and brings readers a special offer.

1 A few high-quality items are better than lots of poor or useless ones
Most new parents appreciate a luxury item they may not buy for themselves more than lots of low-quality pieces. A must-have accessory for every new parent is a changing bag – mothers tend to carry this rather than a handbag for at least the first year of their baby’s life so they want it to be a nice one and, if they’re lucky, have more than one bag to choose from.

2 Are you buying for a first-time mother, or one who already has children?
If the mother already has children, she will probably own all the essentials and lots of clothes. Steer clear of buying pink or blue babygrows if she already has a child of the same gender, as she’s likely to already have an endless supply. The Essential Bag Company’s favourite gift for second or third-time mothers is a luxurious hooded bath towel for the new baby.

3 And finally, don’t forget something for the new parents…
Why not include a treat for the new mother too – for example, a handcream or chocolates. Remember not to leave out the father – a great gift is a leather travel photo frame that they can carry with them or leave on their desk at work with pictures of their new bundle of joy.

The Essential Bag Company specialises in gifts that celebrate the arrival of a new baby. All items come from luxury brands such as Petit Bateau, Charbonnel et Walker, Aspinal of London, Crabtree & Evelyn and are presented in a stylish changing bag. View the range of gifts at essentialbagcompany.co.uk.

Right now, The Essential Bag Company is offering PA Life readers a free Crabtree & Evelyn La Source 60-Second Mini Fix Kit for Hands when they order their first bag. To claim your gift, simply enter “PA Life” in the voucher code box at checkout.