I Tried to Steal Their Christmas Stocking

The true (and hilarious) story of my very first Christmas as a pregnant 20-something who had never celebrated before — plus the only gift list new & expecting moms actually want in 2025.

The year: 2015. The situation: 7 months pregnant, international student, zero clue what Christmas was… and I almost walked out of someone’s house with their Christmas stocking stuffed in my new diaper bag because I thought the sock itself was my gift. 🤦‍♀️ 

Hi loves! If you’re here, you probably saw the title and thought, “Wait… WHAT?” Yes, you read that right. My very first real Christmas was in 2015. I was in my early twenties, a broke international student, newly pregnant with my first baby… and I literally had ZERO clue what Christmas was about. 

I thought the stockings hanging on the fireplace were a fancy American way to dry laundry. No dryer? No problem, just hang the socks by the fire! 🤦‍♀️ 

My instructor invited me over for Christmas dinner, and when I walked in and saw that glowing tree, the lights, the mountain of wrapped gifts, and those mysterious socks on the chimney… I was speechless. Then on Christmas morning they handed me my own stocking stuffed with goodies, chocolates, little gifts, and (plot twist) a single pair of tights. I sat there thinking, “Okay… but where’s the other one? You can’t wear just one tight.” I was too shy to ask. Rookie mistake. 

That day changed everything for me. I learned Christmas is the season of giving, of making people feel seen and loved. And that stocking? Still the best gift I’ve ever received in my life—because someone thought of me when I felt invisible. 

Fast forward: I’m now a mom of multiple kiddos, and every Christmas I think about that pregnant girl who had no idea what was coming… or what she actually needed. 

So if you have a pregnant friend, a new mom, or a first-time mom-to-be on your list this year and you’re clueless about what to get her—save this post. These are the gifts that made me cry happy tears (and the ones I desperately wished someone had given me). 

The 2025 “Actually Useful & Will Make Her Cry” Christmas Gift List for Pregnant & New Moms 

1. A Stylish Diaper Bag She’ll Actually Want to Carry I received one that first Christmas and thought, “Wow, a cute big purse for my makeup!” …Girl, I was pregnant. I didn’t even own diapers yet. When the baby came, that bag became my lifeline. Get her a nice one—she’ll use it for years. (Skip the ugly “baby” ones; get the one that looks like a designer tote.) 

1. The Cutest Coming-Home Outfit (Gender Neutral if Unknown) Bonus points if it says “Hello World” or has tiny reindeer for Christmas babies. She will melt. Trust me. 

1. Sophie la Girafe Teether – The magic giraffe that saves sanity when teeth come in. Link (still the best one). Every new mom discovers this at 3 a.m. while sobbing. Be her hero early. 

1. Starbucks (or Local Coffee Shop) Gift Cards For the love of all that is holy, new moms run on caffeine. (Pro tip: Don’t give this to a very new immigrant mom who’s never heard of Starbucks… like me. I stared at the card for weeks wondering why someone gave me a plastic rectangle.) 

1. Nursing Bras or Pumping Bras LIFE. CHANGING. But maybe save these for the baby shower—not Christmas morning with grandpa watching her unwrap “sexy” underwear. Awkward sweating will occur. 

1. A Giant Box of Diapers / Wipes Subscription Every single diaper change she will whisper, “Thank you, [your name], you angel.” You will be prayed for (and possibly sainted). 

1. A Beautiful Frame for the Ultrasound Photo Watching her open this in front of the family? Everyone will “awww” at the same time. Instant tears. 

1. Personalized Jewelry with Baby’s Name or Due Date I still wear mine every day. Nothing makes a new mom feel more like “Yes, I’m really doing this” than seeing her baby’s name around her neck. 

1. A Postpartum / New-Mom Self-Care Basket Think: cozy socks, fancy tea, chocolate that isn’t stolen by toddlers, nipple cream (yes really), magnesium lotion, a cute mug that says “Mama Needs Coffee.” She will love you forever. 

1. Food Delivery Gift Cards (DoorDash, Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, etc.) When I was postpartum, I fantasized about an angel ringing the doorbell with hot food I didn’t have to cook. Be that angel. 

The Funniest Moment of My First Christmas (I still cringe) 

After everyone opened presents, I proudly packed all my new treasures… including the Christmas stocking itself… into my brand-new diaper bag to take home. 

My host gently said, “Sweetie, we keep the stocking here for next year.” 

I smiled and kept packing. 

She tried again: “You got all the gifts that were inside it… the stocking stays.” 

Me (confused but committed): “…But it’s mine now?” 

Cue the entire family dying of laughter. I genuinely thought the sock itself was part of my gift haul. I almost walked out with one lonely Christmas stocking tucked into my diaper bag like a total bandit. 

Moral of the story: Be kind to the clueless pregnant girls at Christmas. One day we become moms who write viral blog posts about it. 😭❤️ 

So which one are you buying this year? Tag a dad-to-be or a clueless gift-giver who needs this list! And tell me in the comments—what’s the best (or funniest) gift you ever got as a new mom? 

Merry Christmas, beautiful mamas. You’ve got this. 🎄✨ 

P.S. If you’re reading this while 9 months pregnant crying over a stocking—been there. Your baby is coming, and it’s going to be the best Christmas yet. I promise. 🥹