Push Presents: What They Are and How to Choose One in Canada

A push present is a gift — traditionally jewelry — given to a partner to mark the birth of a child, acknowledging pregnancy and childbirth specifically rather than the baby itself (that's what baby gifts are for). It's become a well-established tradition in Canada over the past couple of decades, and if you're navigating it for the first time, here's how to think through timing, budget, and what actually makes a meaningful choice.

Why jewelry is the traditional push present

Unlike a baby gift, which is about the child, a push present is meant to honour what the birthing parent specifically went through — physically and emotionally — over pregnancy and delivery. Jewelry has become the default for a simple reason: it's personal, it lasts, and it can be worn as a lasting marker of that specific milestone in a way that most other gifts can't. A piece bought for this moment often gets worn for decades afterward, carrying that meaning quietly.

When to give it

Most couples give the push present around the birth itself — in the hospital, in the days immediately after, or sometimes slightly before as an anticipatory gift. There's no fixed rule, but the more common approach is timing it close to the birth date itself so the gift and the milestone are directly connected in memory, rather than folding it into a later occasion like a birthday.

What to actually choose

Birthstone pieces are the most popular push present category by a wide margin, and for good reason — a pendant or ring featuring the baby's birth month stone ties the gift directly and specifically to that child. See our pendant guide for the full birthstone reference by month.

Symbolic pendants work well too, particularly pieces like our queen bee pendant or evil eye pendant — strength and protection themes resonate naturally with new motherhood, and our guide to symbolic pendant meanings goes deeper into what each one represents if you want the symbolism to be intentional.

Bracelets are a strong alternative to a necklace, particularly if the recipient wants something a little more everyday-practical — our bezel bracelet or cuff bracelet both wear well for someone adjusting to a much busier daily routine with a newborn, where a snag-prone or high-maintenance piece isn't ideal.

Eternity-style rings, sometimes worn on the opposite hand from an engagement ring, are another common choice — a continuous line of stones has an easy read as a symbol of an unbroken bond, without needing much explanation.

Budget expectations

Push present budgets in Canada vary enormously, but a reasonable general range is $300–$2,500 CAD, with the specific number depending far more on what feels right for your relationship and finances than any external expectation. This is genuinely not a category where a bigger number means a more meaningful gift — a well-chosen $400 birthstone pendant can land more meaningfully than an expensive piece picked without much thought behind it.

For multiple children

If this isn't your first child, consider a piece designed to grow — a family birthstone pendant or charm bracelet that can add a stone or charm with each child is a popular choice specifically because it avoids needing an entirely new piece each time, while still marking each individual birth.

It doesn't have to be jewelry — but here's why it usually is

Some couples choose experiences, practical gifts, or something entirely different instead of jewelry, and that's completely valid — there's no rule requiring jewelry specifically. But jewelry remains the most common choice because it's one of the only gift categories that's both deeply personal and built to last decades, which matches what the moment is actually trying to mark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a push present? A push present is a gift, traditionally jewelry, given to a partner to acknowledge pregnancy and childbirth specifically, separate from gifts given for the baby itself.

When should a push present be given? Most commonly around the time of birth — in the hospital, shortly after, or occasionally just before delivery — so the gift stays closely connected in memory to the birth itself.

What's the average amount spent on a push present in Canada? Budgets vary widely, generally falling between $300 and $2,500 CAD, with the right number depending on personal finances and relationship rather than a fixed expectation.

What's a good push present for a second or third child? A growing piece — like a family birthstone pendant or an add-a-charm bracelet — is a popular choice for later children, since it can be added to with each birth rather than requiring an entirely separate gift.

Want help choosing something specific to your family or due date? Tell us the birth month and budget and we'll help you find the right piece.