I’m not sure why I haven’t had a baby shower for this baby, in fairness I didn’t for Dexter either. No one has stepped forward to help me organise it, and I’m not even sure if it’s traditional to throw your own anyway! Although there’s something lovely about being showered with gifts and well wishes, I don’t feel upset about it. I’m not really one for fuss and hate to be a financial imposition on my friends and family. That said, I’m sure Mini Madam will go home from hospital with a few carrier bags full of clothes and pressies. There’s something too cute about newborn booties and vest tops that visitors can’t seem to resist.

In preparation, this year I’ve even sent our close family a mini shortlist of small things we need. I haven’t specified brands or colours as I recently read a particularly cringeworthy story about this that made my toes curl. I just know we’re short of sleepsuits and bibs and these things would be more useful than costly outfits.

I do have the odd treat to look forward to though. I’ve been given a 12 month subscription to a mag of my choice from online magazine store, Unique Magazines, and it got me thinking about what a fabulous gift this could be for a new mum.

Motherhood is an exhausting, frustrating and often overwhelming experience and it starts from Day 1. Lack of sleep, anxiety and sheer adrenalin comes together in a nasty little cocktail that is enough to floor the strongest of women for a good 6 weeks after birth. I’ve learnt a fair bit from round 1 and have stocked up on ebooks, tv boxsets and bath oils to try to hold on to my sanity, but I remember all too well how tough the first few nights were. A magazine would have been, and will be now, a very welcome distraction - particularly a mother and baby one full of advice and stories a new mummy can empathise with.

Unique Magazines have some great titles for a new mum including Prima Baby & Pregnancy, Gurgle and Mother & Baby, as well as some more obscure ones. There’s also a great range of general interest and niche magazines for mums who want to escape from all-things-baby when they get a few precious moments of down-time. All the major gardening, interior and wedding titles are there, as well as all your well-known fashion and beauty magazines. In fact, there are over 3000 magazines available to buy.

A magazine subscription definitely makes for a great gift for any occasion as it’ll last a full year and there’s something quite exciting about having a magazine through your letterbox every month. It would certainly be something I’d be tempted to buy my friends for birthdays, engagements and other special occasions. Especially as Unique Magazines offers such great value for money and gift buying options.

There are bulk-buy subscription deals which make it so much more affordable than trekking to your local newsagent every month (up to 70% cheaper). My subscription for Prima Baby & Pregnancy cost just £24.99 for 12 issues saving 30% off the RRP. You can pay using all major credit & debit cards, or even PayPal which is a major plus for me as I love the convenience of PayPal. In terms of buying a subscription as a gift you can post a gift voucher to a friend or relative for any value you want, or just buy the entire subscription on their behalf. I love the idea behind this as you can give what you can afford if a 12 month subscription is too pricey for you. With 3 month deals across the majority of magazines there will still be plenty of things for the recipient to choose from. There’s also a handy gift finder based upon age, gender and hobbies which is very simple to use.

Thanks Unique Magazines - can’t wait for my first magazine to arrive! Hopefully this will make those first few ‘trying’ nights a little easier.

Disclaimer: I have been treated to 12 month subscription in exchange for my thoughts on the Unique Magazine experience. All thoughts and opinions are my own.