first grandchild

Nan63

We opened a savings account and contribute monthly to it. Here's hoping that by the time he is 18 (12 years yet!), there will be a nice little sum to help him on his way in life.

We buy clothes, toys, keepsakes, you name it! I can't even go the supermarket without picking up his favourite food/treats!

The other grandparents, after checking with my daughter, bought a lovely pram and practical things (nappies etc).

My second grandchild (a girl) is due in 7 weeks so we will do the same for her.

caroline78

Don't speak to hubby's side so nothing from there, but my parents were great....my whole side of the family were great.

My parents bought us our pram (an ICandy which we still use now and baby is 16 months) and car seat. My brother bought us our cot. My Aunt bought us Cot Mobile (one that projects images onto the ceiling) and my Uncle bought us the AngelCare Mat.

My Mum also gathered up 10 of every Johnson's product (still using the talc...lol) and loads of towels and blankets. She knits too so we have loads of wee cardigans and blankets as well.

Even now my parents buy so much...they bought his next stage car seat, a baby carrier, a bouncy swing for the door frame, a highchair..and also bring in packets of nappies whenever they see them on offer..

They help out so much and also take him for a few hours here and there to let us try and get some tidying or some extra sleep...

However, I would have been grateful for them buying any small thing, they didn't need to buy anything at all...Although the had saved quite a bit as we were going to have IVF and weren't sure if NHS would cover it...so they spent this money on baby instead as we finally got pregnant 7 years later....xx

luxor4t

My gran knitted a blanket for my first baby and another for my sister's first. I really treasured that and used for all three, a blanket from great-granny was priceless :A.

Sad to say I said 'thank you' nicely for the baby money box, frames, and 'baby's first...' items etc then put them away safely for the foreseeable future as life with a newborn was too short to dust.

Wickedkitten

Personally I would ask before you go out and buy anything big. That seems to be one of the biggest bones of contention between new parents and grandparents

sassyblue

What about arranging to have babies hands and feet cast in bronze? Ask the parents first of course, but this is something l would have liked but never found the time to arrange it.

Whatever you do, you should then do for any other grandchildren.

betti911

My parents bought us a travel system (pram, buggy and car seat) for the baby. My inlaws got us a cotbed and gave us a loan of the family moses basket. I would ask your son/daughter what h/she needs first, give a price range and let them choose the item.

The best gift my parents have given us though is their time and support. They have helped with washings, watched the baby while I go for a rest during the day, lifts to doctors appointments after c section etc. This has all helped us more than any gift of monetary value.

azzabazza

We gave our son & DIL money to buy a pram/car seat combi of their choice. I also gave them the shawl I knitted 30 odd years ago when I was pregnant with my son. I have also knitted various cardigans in different sizes. Plus all the rest I just happened to pick up when in John Lewis, M&S, Next etc!!!!!!!!! We know the sex so it has made shopping easier.

I have also have bought a travel cot, high chair, car seat and other items to keep here to make life easier when they visit.

converted

I bought a tower of drawer and filled it with things which i bought weekly i.e nappies, talc, babygro's vests, shampoo etc etc - the things i filled it with came in useful over the 1st year, the drawers are still useful 7 yrs later, filled with toys etc - i also bought lots of big things as well, travel cot, buggy, guards etc etc

lollipopsarah

aw I'm welling up at this thread, my darling daughter is only a little bit preggers so it's a no-no buying anything - bad luck and all that.
My mum and dad bought a pram and I think the inlaws got the cot (long time ago)
Best thing was the in laws (lived local -ish) let me stay for a week which was a god send while hubby got the flat ready (early baby) and fed and watered me!!
advise - no I can't give it, just ask what sort of things they would like.
xx

themull1

My partner bought his first grandchild a cot. And then when we went to visit, we bought a money box, baby gro's, cuddly toy etc