Valentine’s Day is undeniably one of the most iconic gift-giving holidays celebrated in the US. Candy hearts, rose bouquets, extravagant jewelry, cute stuffed animals – there is no shortage of ways for people to tell each other “I love you.” However, although Valentine’s Day is often associated with romantic love, it’s actually a great day on which to express affection and appreciation for anyone who brings love to your life. For intended parents who are pursuing the joy of family and parenthood through surrogacy, this could mean getting a special gift for the surrogate mother who is carrying their child.

Getting a Valentine’s Day gift for your gestational surrogate is just a small way to show how much you appreciate the love she is giving to your family. While traditional roses and candy are always a great option, there are a ton of other ideas that can help you make your gift a little more personalized. Here are some of our favorite Valentine’s Day gift ideas for surrogate mothers.

1. Pregnancy Survival Kit

Just as the name suggests, pregnancy survival kits help pregnant women feel more comfortable during pregnancy. While many women love being pregnant, it’s no secret that carrying a child can sometimes have some unpleasant side effects. The items you put in the survival kit will show that you’re thinking about your surrogate’s comfort and overall well-being.

Some ideas for what to include in the survival kit are ginger candies (for nausea), comfy clothes, moisturizing lotion, compression socks, books, gift cards, sleep masks, or anything else you think might make your surrogate feel a little more comfortable during pregnancy. You can customize your survival kit according to what trimester she’s in or even make it a postpartum recovery survival kit.

2. Surrogate Photoshoot

A professional photoshoot featuring you and your surrogate is a beautiful way to commemorate the special connection that you will always share. A framed photo or a photo album is something that all of you can hold on to and have as part of your conjoined family history. Or, as an alternative, you could opt to get her and her family a professional photo session.

3. Handmade Gifts

If you want to get your surrogate something extra special, something that truly comes from the heart and represents your gratitude and appreciation for her, handmade gifts are an amazing option, especially if you’re artistic or crafty. If you have a craft or a hobby, such as knitting, jewelry making, or painting, let love inspire your creativity and make something that shows your surrogate how much she means to you and your family. Or, if you’re musically inclined, you could consider writing a song just for her. However, if arts and crafts aren’t your thing, that’s OK! You can always head over to an online marketplace, such as Etsy, to find countless unique and personalized handmade gifts.

4. Food

Sometimes, the best way to show someone you care about them is to simply feed them. If you live far away from your surrogate, there are many online food delivery options available, including:

• Food gift baskets, such as those created by 1-800-baskets
• Pre-prepared gourmet meal services, like Harry & David or Magic Kitchen
• Fresh bagels, pastries, soup, or meals from nation-wide restaurants, such as Panera
• Special delivery from your surrogate’s favorite local restaurant or a gift card for something like Grubhub
• Meal delivery kits, such as Hello Fresh, which offers a one-time, no-subscription-necessary gift card option

If you happen to live within close proximity to your surrogate, you can also prepare a nice meal for her and her family.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

No matter what gift you choose, giving your surrogate a small token of appreciation on Valentine’s Day is a beautiful gesture. Happy Valentine’s Day to all our intended parents and surrogate mothers!