A new baby is cause for celebration. Whether you’re a close friend, family member or colleague, welcoming a new life into the world is the done thing in every culture. While the newborn won’t remember their first few days on the planet, it’ll be seared into the memories of their parents, despite the months of sleep deprivation that are likely to come.
There are plenty of ways to mark their arrival, from a party and sending a card with flowers to posting out a thoughtful gift to the freshly minted mum and dad. There are plenty of ideas online - and we’ve got the best ones here - but if you’re really hoping to spoil them, there’s nothing nicer than a hamper.
More specifically, a new parent hamper. This is typically a honey-coloured wicker basket brimming with baby-themed goods, from luxury post-pregnancy beauty products and packets of sweet treats to bundles that include a new cuddly BFF for the baby. Designed to be shared by all and making a bigger impact than sending a single gift alone, the right hamper makes a royal fuss over the new parents and their new little cub.
If you’re looking to send your love through a well-chosen hamper, we’ve spotlighted some of the best options around - and all at varying price points so you can find one in your budget. They’re a great option to send as a group - work colleagues or uni friends, say - with the typically hefty price tag split into more financially digestible portions without denting the impact of the gift.
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F&M My First Fortnum's Christmas Hamper
Few retailers do hampers better than Fortnums. The royal grocer has been curating basketfuls of loveliness for decades with an option for most of the major life landmarks. Case in point? This darling hamper is designed to celebrate the baby’s first Christmas.
Inside the light brown wicker basket, you’ll find a set of festive baby PJs and a matching blanket, sleep spray, tea, coffee and a musical biscuit tin as well as a limited edition Christmas ornament. Truffle the Bear is the headline attraction, dressed for the occasion in a branded F&M bow tie and ready for a lifetime of cuddling.
Buy now £250.00, F&M
Harrods The Newborn Hamper
It’s traditional to wet the baby’s head (a custom that originates from baptism), and how better than with a bottle of premium bubbly? Harrods has it in the bag, along with a set of bibs embroidered with Paddington the Bear, tea, coffee and biscuits. An incredibly plush white bear from the luxury department store is also in the mix, complete with a handsome grey ribbon.
Buy now £150.00, Harrods
The British Hamper Company The Parent and Baby Congratulations Hamper
Congratulate your favourite family on their latest member with a bounty of gourmet goods that should keep their cupboards full until they can find time to get to the supermarket. The British Hamper Company has nailed hamper giving with this 16-piece compilation which includes gifts for the little ones as well as delicious sustenance for their parents.
Buy now £155.00, The British Hamper Company
Harvey Nichols Hello Baby Hamper
Pregnancy can be a hard time with drastic changes to mind and body. Harvey Nichols’ Hello Baby hamper aims to celebrate the newborn and offer some much-needed pampering to new mums too. The hand-picked edit includes the likes of Slip, Dr. Barbara Sturm and Hatch Mama, all packed into a smart black wicker basket that can be repurposed as baby keepsake storage.
Buy now £180.00, Harvey Nichols
Cutter & Squidge Baby Biskie Box
While Champagne may be traditional in some cultures, not everyone can or wants to drink to welcome a new life into the fold. Enter Cutter & Squidge, masters of fancy bakes that can send sweet treats directly to their door. This box of baby biskies may not be a hamper per se, but it is 100 per cent vegetarian and Halal-friendly, making it an option for a much wider audience. Plus, just look at how cute they are.
Buy now £18.99, Cutter & Squidge
Bumbles & Boo Baby Hamper Basket - Very Hungry Caterpillar
They’re going to be spending a lot of time together at the start, so why not be the first to make introductions between the pair? A Very Hungry Caterpillar-themed hamper is the perfect way to welcome a new baby and this dainty white wicker hamper is packed with toys and caterpillar-branded baby essentials that will prove invaluable to new parents. Items are suitable for newborns to toddlers, so they’ll come in useful for many years to come.
Buy now £85.95, Bumbles & Boo
Jo Loves New Parent Hamper
Plunge them into a scent wonderland, compliments of Jo Loves. The fragrance house’s new parent hamper is brimming with feel-good scents to heighten their bubble of love, creating an excuse to indulge themselves while other scents are made to evoke serenity. There’s even a bottle of hydrating hand sanitiser to stash in the buggy for chic clean-ups while strolling through the park.
Buy now £155.00, Jo Loves
Cartwright & Butler New Arrival Hamper
They’ll be making endless cups of tea for the foreseeable, so why not stuff their larder with some of Cartwright & Butler’s finest fare? This hamper comes in the form of a blue box with a welcome message on the side. Inside there are biscuits, fudge and tea as well as a cuddly creature to make friends with.
Buy now £40.00, John Lewis
Anya Hindmarch New Parent Hamper
For the boujiest of babes comes this fabulous hamper from Anya Hindmarch. The wicker basket can be personalised with the family’s name or a short message on a nameplate for an additional fee. Undo the buckles and you’ll find all sorts of designer baby treasure inside, from a Baby Emergency Kit and pacifier to a Eyes Bib so cute we wish the label did them in adult size. Fun and joy in equal measure.
Buy now £810.00, Anya Hindmarch
Daylesford Organic Nesting Hamper
A hamper to send before the baby’s arrival, Daylesford has thought of everything you need to get their home shipshape in time for the pitter-patter of tiny feet. The medley of gifts spans everything from organic cleaning materials to teatime essentials and even two bottles of sparkling to celebrate, but only after the monster cleaning sesh has been seen to.
Buy now £280.00, Daylesford Organic
