Baby's first Christmas

leandygandy

As we're discussing Christmas now, I'd like your thoughts on something please?

I am due to give birth in two weeks time so will have a child that is no older than 3 months at Christmas. I've already been asked by a couple of people what baby might want as a gift, and I honestly don't know what to say!

Baby will be too young to understand what is going on and I dont want people to waste their money, but I do appreciate that they want to spoil him/her a bit!

Is it poor form to ask for a cheque to go into the baby's savings which can be used as and when required e.g. to buy an educational toy once baby hits the right age to be using one, or to buy clothes as and when they grow out of them?

My other thought was to suggest keepsake gifts such as a nice photo frame or money box, but obviously there's only so many options for people to buy ?!

Think we are going to be buying a baby gym as our gift as we feel it will be a useful thing to have. No doubt nanny will spoil the baby rotten regardless haha.

Anyhow, what sort of things were you given for baby's first Christmas, and what was a good/bad gift?

sarahevie

We received money box, photo frame, ornaments for my girls. Unfortunately these were also hghly replicated at the christening. There's only so many money boxes you can use.

Clothes are great, especially if practical. We were given lots of monsoon, accessorize items for my girls many of which are tumble dry only. Hardly worn, yet sleepsuits and vests you can never have enough of.

As for toys I think that things they can use when they are older are great. I've had a toddler rocker, starlight swing, bouncy chair all well used. We bought ours a baby gym for 1st christmas has also had use. My second child was given a lot of the happyland or little people stuff as we had an abundance of first year toys. They are all lovely.

My first child was born early Oct, so was 11 weeks at her first christmas. We were given one of those tomy projectors for the cot never used it.

balletshoes

if you're asked, tell folk you'd like 9months age-appropriate clothes and toys etc. This will be the rough age of your baby come summertime, when its still a few months until 1st birthday, and 6 months til Christmas. You're right, your baby won't have a clue whats going on this Christmas (and not much more of a clue next Christmas either), so you can keep the older age toys and clothes until your baby grows into them, and you won't need to spend your own money on them next summer.

Winnie_in_Pooh

I'm due in 4 weeks time and we've been talking to family about this too. On the whole most people understand that, although its baby's first christmas, he won't have a clue whats going on and that next year will be a much better time to do the big boxes and Santa Claus bit. So far everyone that we've spoken to about it is more than happy to gift some money which we intend to lock away in a proper investment account for the future.

We're going to buy him a passport - a bit boring I know, but practical!

jakes-mum

My niece was born 2 weeks before christmas, I made her (well mum really) a huge baby basket. I put wipes, sudocrem, teething gel, a dummy (i know! but they used them) spit cloth, some larger sized nappies talcum powder etc. It was a huge present but she used it all

I would ask for size 6 - 9 month clothes and 9 - 12 month clothes. ask 1 or 2 members to get a keep sake or you'll be inundated with them. You can ask for bibs older toys to put away till next summer when he/shes crawling. Leave nanny to spoil, especially if its a first grandchild Its just as exciting for her as it is for you and if shes anything like my mum, she might want to buy your little one things she couldnt afford when you were little

Congratulations by the way

Also an extra thought, dont be afraid to tell your mum that you've had your eye on a really nice highchair/pram/first ride on toy and if any of the family are stuck for ideas for christmas they are more than welocome to put a couple of quid toward it I did do this with my first (born may) and mum was more than happy to whisper in some ears for me

ajaney

just a few ideas

clothes for older age 9mths-12mths / 12mths-18mths

baby sleeping bag for 6mths-12mths (1 tog summer)

gift vouchers for mothercare / clarks (for the first shoes?) / tesco / Toys r us

Open a child Isa (replacement for trust fund) & ask for money to go into that

Winky,_The_House_Elf

I agree with Ballet-shoes & the others. My DD is now 9mths and all the mountain of stuff we had from her first Christmas and then Christening she has now grown out of (Both clothes & toys) so it feels a bit like feast then famine!

As for requesting money, I wouldn't be comfortable asking for it to put into an account, but would be happy to ask for a contribution towards a larger item. So for example I've bought a Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair, which is expensive (even though it's second-hand) so cash has been put towards that. Photos of gummy-grinning-baby sat in it were then sent as thank you notes, to everyone who gave towards it.

Don't forget that some of the fun for others is buying cute fun items for a baby when they dont usually get the chance.

balletshoes

Winky,_The_House_Elf wrote: »

Don't forget that some of the fun for others is buying cute fun items for a baby when they dont usually get the chance.

very true - I love having an excuse to trawl the baby/toddler aisle at Toys R Us .

pigpen

I have always asked for vouchers for mothercare or toys r us so we can buy necessities as and when they are needed... I currently have £20 Next an £20 M&S and £25 Boots vouchers.. oddly..

other people have vastly different ideas about nice clothes and buy hideous things which then go to waste sadly.

Failing that ELC do a wish list thing.. you can add bits of toys you think might be nice to have through the year and they can be emailed the link to the list.. rather like a wedding list but much more interesting! that has worked a few times.. plus you dont get duplicate presents!!!!

seafarers_wife

im watching this with intrest as im due just before christmas so baby really isnt going to have a clue as to whats going on. i think i would just be tempted to tell family if asked that money would be best or gift vouchers.

DaisyFlower

I think its rude to ask for cash, if asked for ideas you could specify clothes in a certain size or ask for an eductaional toy that can be saved for a few months.