first grandchild

JimmyTheWig

Or money in a savings account (or, strange though it may seem, pension fund) for the child. And, in case I hadn't mentioned it already, lot and lots of your time!

ikkle87

My mum bought us a cotbed, mattress and bedding set, a few items of clothing and a few toiletries like Johnsons etc.

My grandparents bought us a baby swing, some blankets and pram sheets and my nan knitted some cardigans too.

browneyedbazzi

I'd buy a little keepsake for the baby - a nice photo frame or something ornamental and then ask the parents about what they need and would find helpful for a practical gift.

Don't feel pressured to buy expensive things you can't afford, I'm sure that whatever you contribute will be appreciated!

marisco_2

My parents bought a beautiful moses basket and a stand for it to sit on. It has been passed round the family as each new addition has arrived. The latest baby was born 3am this morning. My sisters beautiful little girl will be the 5th baby to use it and it looks lovely still.

They buy the new babies coming home outfit too. Just a little tradition that they love to do. Each of us lucky ladies in the family who have had our babies have got home to a nicely thought out little pamper hamper too. All the lovely toiletries etc that we like to use. They are very thoughtful and our kids are so lucky to have them as their grandparents.

alwaysonthego_2

Although my in laws bought us stuff we needed, I really appreciated when they had the older children for the night, did the laundry for me and cooked meals which helped me out and made life easier with a new born

ellay864

Speak to your son/daughter to see what they'd appreciate most and try to also consider the other grandparents. I know of a couple who came to blows as her parents seemed to think they had more rights as grandparents than his did, they bought lots of big things and even insisted their daughter return things from the other grandparents when they'd duplicated.

dizsiebubba

I told my parents to but what they want, when they see it if they like it... so rather than a big thing...my mum has had lots of fun buying clothes she likes, toys and books etc plus my dad is filling a kp peanut tin with £2 coins for the babies bank account. It means my mum feels like she can keep treating baby to things whenever she feels like it

pattycake

When my first grandchild was on the way, my daughter-in-law was talking about using washable nappies from a washing service. I gave them £500 which I thought they could use for that or else just save for the baby. They ended up doing the latter as she plumped for disposables.

Fast forward 7 years and I now have five grandchildren. I have had to give each of them the same amount of money as it would not have been fair! In hindsight, I might not have been quite so generous.

mumonashoestring

Definitely have some fun buying some cute little clothes or similar if you'd like to, but it would be a good idea to chat to the parents and find out what would be useful. We got a lot of hand-me-downs from my sister-in-law so we didn't need much but my parents replaced our washing machine for us and ordered a couple of deliveries of groceries for us in the couple of weeks after little'un was born - not standard baby gifts but SO helpful!

Did you want to buy something keepsakey/heirloomy? Christening bracelets, hand and footprint taking sets, or a memories box for things like the baby's hospital wristband, congratulations cards, first outfit etc. might work?

pleasedelete

Unless you are sure it is what they want and they live in a massive house don't buy footprints, memory boxes, jewellry boxes, money boxes, photo frames etc etc Every car boot is full of baby stuff- it is very personal and as. Many people would hate it as would love it.

It's marmite stuff!

I buy sanitary towels ! No new mother ever has enough. Nappies not newborn and give cash.