Calling all Mums, new baby - gift ideas?

countrybum

Hi everyone, I'm sure you can give me some great ideas - a good friend of mine and her husband have just had their first baby (a girl). I want to get them a gift obviously, but have you got any ideas of practical things?
Any new Mums out there can recommend things they were given that you thought were really useful/helpful?
I'm sure they'll be innundated with clothes and toys
I've seen the thread on nappy cakes which I think are amazing, but unfortunately a little beyond my capabilites!!

Shellybee

There are a few people on the nappy cake thread who make to order and send via courier Countrybum.

sarahsarah

When we'd just had my DD, I would have appreciated someone asking what gift we want, or asking if we'd prefer vouchers to get something we need in the future!!!

loucam

I had a little girl last year and you are right about the clothes and toys - it is unbelievable the amount you get!

I got a variety of other things such as photo frames, memory box (to put hospital tags, first lock of hair etc), baby book to record information.

The one thing I really would have liked and have since bought for other people is a little kit that you get to take an imprint of baby's feet or hands. Most of the baby shops sell them. Here is a link to the kind of thing I mean:

http://www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B000W3681U/sr=1-5/qid=1232912051/ref=sr_1_5/277-5624195-7282169?ie=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=42878041&mcb=core

http://www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B000W37D96/sr=1-11/qid=1232912051/ref=sr_1_11/277-5624195-7282169?ie=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=42878041&mcb=core

If it is a more practical gift you are looking for then one of my friends bought me a baby bath box and filled it with bath gel, shampoo, talc, lotions. Came in very handy. Also very boring but Boots & Mothercare vouchers were much appreciated too.

Lou x

Shellybee

You could also make up a basket of gifts, a few baby toiltetries and maybe some pamper items for the new mum and a bottle of beer for the dad.

sarahsarah

PS I really wanted to shop for some baby clothes, but we got bought to many so I couldn't... So if someone had given us vouchers I could have shopped for the next size up!!
As soon as the all the clothes we were given as gifts were grown out of (some after 1 wear as we were bought too many!) we were really short on clothes so vouchers for next size up would have been fab!

Otherwise, what about a basket with something for everyone in the family? Box of chocs, magazine and nice bubble bath for mummy, bottle of beer and a magazine for daddy and a little rattle or something for bubba?

countrybum

thanks everyone - some great ideas

Emms

We got those baby mould kits from mothercare for the grandparents and they are really good and well worth the money.

I had my little girl nearly 3 months ago and I would have loved something for me (many hints were made to hubby but he didnt quite grasp them!) Maybe a voucher for a facial or something like that would be nice.

Emma

elainew

A gift voucher for the local chinese takeaway or pizzaplace.
I got SOOOOO many clothes that were never used as they were wrong season or too big/small.
My friend ordered us an Indian meal one night and it was fab. No cooking, no need to get dressed up--BLISS

Katgoddess

Sleepsuits and vests for the bigger sizes. 3-6 months and 6-9 months. Then you don't have to worry about the seasons.
Toys suitable for 6 months + as the parents definitely won't be thinking about that yet.
A bag of bits. Nappies size 3 and bigger, baby wipes, nappy bags. Don't get any other toiletries like baby bath as you won't know about any allergies etc.
A voucher or money.
Food. Invite them over for dinner or cook something and bring it around. Or buy an M&S ready meal if cooking isn't your thing!

All the above I would have found very useful.

moggitymog

i always like to buy something for mum too, badedas is fantastic for in the bath after a painful birth