Last updated on June 29th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
Learn 7 do’s and don’ts when you’re shopping for the perfect gift for newborn twins and the new parents of twins in your life.
So someone close to you just had twins. You know they have their hands full and you want to get them a nice gift that will help ease some of their stress. But what do you get them? Whatever it is, you don’t want the gift to be more of a burden than a blessing.
There probably is not a gift that exists that is the right gift for 100% of new twin parents. However, after considering the do’s and don’ts below, I’m sure you’ll be able to find the right gift to bless your twin family or friends.
1. Don’t: Just assume you know sizes
Assuming that a 3-month old baby needs 3-month clothes is risky. Some 3-month-old twins are tiny (even still in preemie clothes) and some are quite large! Buying the wrong size means it needs to be returned, which creates additional stress for the parents to make it to a store within that return window.
Do: Size up
Ask the parents what size the baby is currently wearing and what sizes they need. They may tell you that they have a great deal of 9-month clothes, but very little 6-month clothes. Get the family what they need and/or get clothes bigger than the babies are. This way, they will have clothes to wear next month, next spring or next year. Make sure to keep the seasons of their location in mind!
2. Don’t: Get large gifts
Unless the parents have explicitly requested a large item that will take up space in their nursery, living room or kitchen, don’t buy these space-hog items. Space becomes a very rare commodity when you have two infants, and often parents want to use that space wisely. Consider gifts that are small, collapsible, and/or can be stored easily, such as small toys or portable play items.
Do: Buy consumables
A box of diapers is large but will be gone before they know it. Diapers, wipes, and formula are all great gifts because twin parents are always flying through them and occasionally get caught without. Giving them a few canisters of formula to put away in the closet could help prevent a late-night grocery store run for parents in the future. Just make sure it’s the specific brand they are currently using.
3. Don’t: Just buy that item you loved when you had an infant
Some items are amazing no matter how many babies you have (like anti-colic bottles). But many items, such as diaper bags, are really designed for a parent with only one baby at a time and will not be helpful to a parent of twins.
Do: Your research
There are a lot of resources online that will tell you what the best feeding pillows, travel cribs, infant carriers, etc. are for twins. If you really want to give a gift that makes parenting easier, do the research and make sure your gift makes things easier specifically with twins (here’s what Twiniversity parents like the best!)
4. Don’t: Just buy an item simply because it says “for twins”
Some twin products are simply not awesome and give it a couple years — they’ll disappear from the market. Items like double infant tubs are just not practical. Giving this item just because it looks cool and says it for twins doesn’t mean it will be useful.
Do: Read reviews
If the reviews are good (especially from twin parents), it might be worth the investment. However, if an item gets 3 stars or less, it may not be practical and is probably not worth the risk of purchasing.
Visit the Twiniversity Amazon Shop for all your twin baby gear needs!
5. Don’t: Buy two of everything
Some things parents of twins will need two of. They’ll need two car seats and double the diapers. But not everything is needed in doubles. Many parents don’t want two swings because there would rarely be a time both babies would need to swing, and just one swing takes up a lot of space. Be thoughtful about what gifts you are buying in double and what gifts can be just a single.
Do: Consider single items that can be “doubled” (and doubling accessories).
An awesome item that has made my family’s life easier is Umbrella Stroller Connectors. Getting this as a gift means the parents can utilize two single umbrella strollers. When traveling with one baby, they have a single stroller at the ready. However, if they feel they want to use the two umbrella strollers with both babies, just snap on the connectors and now it is a double stroller.
Another single item that can be doubled is baby carriers. Items that you can buy singly and can be doubled when needed are worth considering.
6. Don’t: Think you have to buy “baby items”
Moms and dads of new twins are experiencing lots of challenges and baby items are not the only things that are helpful. Hot meals, money towards hired help, and offering to buy groceries for the parents also make a great gift.
Do: Think outside the “box”
Consider a subscription service such as Amazon Prime or Instacart. Making minor errands and grocery shopping easier can be a lifesaver to a new twin parent and will be a very appreciated gift.
7. Don’t: Assume they have time
A gift card for a massage may seem like a nice idea but you shouldn’t assume that this is something a new twin parent can find time for. If someone explicitly asks for something like this, they likely have a plan for making the time and it would be a good gift, but if they haven’t asked for it, it may be a gift that adds stress.
If a service like this is something you really want to give, find a provider that makes house calls! You can find masseurs, hair stylists, manicurists and the like that will come to people’s homes.
Do: Give your time
Time is also a commodity when you are a new parent. An offer to come babysit, do the dishes, or just come sit and have adult conversation can be all the gift someone might want.
When there is a new twin parent in your life, gift giving can seem overwhelming. Having a heart in the right place still may not help you pick the right gift. But if you use the above advice, these tips (combined with your good intentions) should help you land the perfect gift.
Maya Mason lives in the Twin Cities, MN and works in juvenile corrections. Maya is the mom of boy/girl twins named Theo and Teia who were born at 24 weeks. For personal and professional reasons, Maya is very passionate about dimensional wellness. She trains and writes on several topics related to wellness and also trains on topics around body image, diversity and connecting with youth. Maya loves to spend time with her family, play volleyball and travel. She also is an avid writer, writes for several organizations and is in the process of writing a teen fiction series. You can follow Maya as an author on Facebook.
