Do women who give birth deserve a “push present” for their effort?
A push present, generally given by a parenting partner to the pregnant person around the time of the baby’s birth, can be as small as a sweet-smelling candle or a soft bathrobe, or as grandiose as jewelry, cars or vacations.
One recent push present drew a lot of eyeballs on TikTok when Jett Puckett gave his wife, Campbell “Pookie” Puckett, a designer handbag as her push present.
Not familiar with the Pucketts? Don’t worry. The only thing you need to know is that the push present was a “Craie Kelly 25 epsom leather, gold hardware” Hermés purse that retails for approximately $35,000.
(In case you were wondering, we didn’t have to research the bag specs because Jett clearly and distinctly announces them in the video, which received more than 12 million views in its first 24 hours on TikTok.)
“Oh my god, babe,” Pookie said as she opened the bag.
Jett said, “I want you to know how grateful I am for you and all the wonderful things you do.”
Comments were divided between those who were poking fun at the entire concept and those who admired the gesture.
Some people who mocked push presents wrote:
- “The push present I received was an epidural beforehand.”
- “My push present was watching my L&D nurse throw something at my fiancé because he wouldn’t wake up from his nap to help me through my contractions.”
- “My push present was a $12k hospital bill that I still haven’t paid off lol.”
- “My husband says I get a high five.”
- “I asked for a candy bar after. Didn’t get it.”
Many other comments supported the gift:
- “I love this, regardless of how ‘extravagant’ it may seem to some.”
- “That push present is everything! You two are going to be amazing parents. So much love and thought put into it.”
- “Liking and saving this video to show my future husband so that he will know what I would want as a push present.”
- “I WANT TO BE POOKIE.”
The origin of the push present is unclear, but celebrities have kept the term in the news through the years.
- Jennifer Lopez made waves in 2008, reported Business Insider, both for giving birth to twins Emme and Max and for receiving Canary diamond earrings and a matching ring from then-husband Marc Anthony.
- Jessica Alba chose her own push present from Cash Warren when she gave birth to their second child in 2011. According to Elle, it was a a gold and diamond Franck Muller watch that cost over $50,000.
- And People reported that Jay-Z bought Beyoncé an 8 to 10 carat tanzanite ring to celebrate Blue Ivy Carter’s birth in 2012.
Jett and Pookie Puckett seem rapturously in love with each other and their baby, but is there something incongruous about equating a precious new life with … a purse?
Should we forego the flashy presents in favor of something more fiscally responsible, like saving money for a child’s education? Or do new moms deserve anything they want (and more) for withstanding nine months of discomfort and everything else that goes into childbirth?
