One of the very best shower gifts my husband and I received when my eldest son was born was a voucher for a catering company (which has, sadly, since gone out of business). It was all organic, homemade fare, healthy and delicious, but of course, the real gift was the gift of time and peace of mind. On several nights in those first few crazy weeks, we did not have to think about what to make for dinner. We could, instead, spend even more time getting to know the massive bundle of baby we had come home with.
One of the families at Rowan’s playschool has recently welcomed a new addition, and the families who form the co-op community got organized to make and deliver meals. It is such a simple idea, and one which perhaps in our idealized sense of simpler times, may have happened naturally in a community when a baby arrived. In the middle of the city and of busy lives, though, we sometimes forget how simple gestures can accumulate great power to make a neighbour’s life easier. After a few organizing emails this family now has a roster of dinners arriving over the next two weeks. Nourishment for body and soul.
If you are looking for an idea for a shower gift, try organizing a meals on wheels. Pool resources and invest in a gift certificate for a meal delivery company, or organize neighbours to feed the family. After both receiving and participating in this kind of thing, I can tell you that fewer things are more welcome, or more easy, than being part of the village that welcomes a child.
Love, love, love this idea!!!
My sister-in-law stocked our freezer for us while we were at the hospital with our first born. It was so great to come home to meals that just needed to be heated up.
When Will was in the hospital, we were so overwhelmed and appreciative of all the meals our friends dropped off or sent to the hospital. I never realized how hungry I was until the food was set in front of me. Without our friends, I doubt we would have eaten anything other than vending machine fare.
The Mom’s Group that I am a part of organizes food drops for a week whenever a new mom needs it (sometimes it is more helpful after all of the family help has disappeared).
BTW: cute picture! He looks just like his dad!
A village meals on wheels is the best!
This idea can also be applied to illness, especially long-term. Rather than have continuous friend and family visits at home/hospital where the sick person has to repeat the currency of her condition to each newcomer (even more difficult when things are not improving), another way to show caring is by making food.
With 14 friends, each friend/family member can commit to make one meal over a two week span. Sticking to the schedule, it enables good meals everyday for months – not just to the ill person (who may not be eating much) but to their loved ones too.