Presents for expectant parents

quinechinoise

chrisv24 wrote: »

Well if they are having a baby they will need a lot of coffee

Seconded. Instant coffee. The strong stuff.

If the cameras on their cell phones are pants, then a small digital camera would be nice too.

Frankly, all you do after acquiring a new baby is fight to stay awake about 24/7, collapse in exhaustion during the brief 5 minute intervals that the baby allots you, smile infatuously at the world because your baby yawned and/or made a noise that you're convinced sounded like a word (albeit a word like "blup") and take a gazillion photos to bore people to death with - in person, if you've managed the herculean feat of 5 uninterrupted minutes in the shower before baby recalls you, or via Facebook, if your little tyrant has ensured that you haven't changed clothes all week (and are now coated in baby sick with a touch of meconium fragrance).

I love my kids. x

quinechinoise

any_name_will_suffice wrote: »

I bought my friend, who is expecting, some bits from the 'mama bee' range from Burt's Bee, lovely treats for a mum to be!

Obviously I had to buy some bits for 'baby bee' at the same time! X

The Burt's Bees stuff is gorgeous.

Panda78

Thanks everyone, some great ideas for me to choose from.

Gillyx

Burts bees stuff for mommas and babies is beautiful. I love it.

I didn't have much time for baths/showers/rubbing cream in etc. So an insulated cup and some nice decaf coffee/tea is a good idea (decaf is better if mum is feeding herself) maybe get some normal stuff for Dad

snowleopard61

Someone who did this for us (20+ years ago!) added a homemade cake. As it happens, I still remember it as one of the nicest cakes I've ever tasted!

snowleopard61

chrisv24 wrote: »

Well if they are having a baby they will need a lot of coffee

Agreed, although my first child managed to keep me awake all night, quite without the help of coffee!

Amanda65

This as a joint gift

http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Your-Baby-s-First-Year-For-Dummies.productCd-0764584200.html

or this for BIL

http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=44863&langId=-1

lilymay1

Claree__x wrote: »

No offence 'cause I'm sure it's meant as a lovely idea but I would like to think my friends/family would want to babysit when the baby's a bit older, not just 'cause they gave me a voucher for it.

I know in the case of my family that it'd be a present for them (to steal the baby for a few hours) just as much as a present to me!

You are fortunate to be in this position though although I note you say "I would like to think". Does this mean you don't yet have children?
My parents will have my son when I ask them but not every family goes mushy over newborn babies....

I think vouchers are a nice idea. Either that, or offer to pay for them to go to the cinema or something so they can have a night together minus baby.

marisco_2

When I had my first baby my family did similar for myself and my then husband. Lots of lovely bits for our new son, a voucher for me to be pampered and enjoy a manicure and pedicure, and for hubby my dad and brother took him out for a game of golf.

Friends bought a bottle of champagne to celebrate our little ones arrival with. All very thoughtful gifts and very much appreciated.

I think it is lovely that you are planning this and you are clearly very excited about becoming an auntie. I hope your nephew arrives safely, enjoy him .

sweaty_betty

lilymay1 wrote: »

You are fortunate to be in this position though although I note you say "I would like to think". Does this mean you don't yet have children?
My parents will have my son when I ask them but not every family goes mushy over newborn babies....

I think vouchers are a nice idea. Either that, or offer to pay for them to go to the cinema or something so they can have a night together minus baby.

Yeah mine too - and the cinema is a great idea (you can also get real cinema vouchers if you know which one is local/their favourite). One of the things we miss is going to the cinema so it's a great treat whenever we can convince someone to babysit.

Homemade meals were very gratefully received when our LO first arrived. Another possibility, if you're feeling flash, is a subscription to lovefilm or something similar - we made the most of that for the first 6 months (although we had to get the timing right so we didn't end up falling asleep and missing the end!).