A friend – though not a close one – just had a baby yesterday. We got to be friendly at my last job and we hung out outside of work 3-4 times getting drinks/coffee etc. I would have liked to hang out more, but we were located in different cities; since I left the job about a yr ago, we’ve been in touch about 3-4 times via email and maybe 1-2 phone calls, and she always asks when I’m visiting her city. She told me she was pregnant and heard from a common friend she had a baby girl yesterday. I sent off a congratulatory email, but would honestly like to do a bit more. Would that be odd since we’re not close friends? Though I am more than some former coworker.
If I do get something – what would I go with? They are a dual income, high income couple with large families on both sides – they don’t need anything. I’m not close enough (geographically) to do anything personally like bring over a meal; nor can I really do a gift card to a restaurant they like for takeout because I don’t know their city (or food preferences) at all. If I got something I’d like it to be different than the string of onesies that all new parents seem to get, and yet I also don’t want it to be something that makes her think I spent too much given our relationship.
A gift basket of stuff for the new mom/dad to pamper themselves with at home.
A few “first board games” for the parents to play with baby when they get preschool age - CandyLand, Chutes and Ladders, Go Fish, etc. Send with a note saying to always find time for the family to sit back, chill and enjoy each other.
I think that a really nice COTTON receiving blanket is always useful. It is hard to have too many of them, since they can be used in so many different ways, and not just when the child is an infant. (Note: I am not talking about a swaddle.)
There are a lot of others made from organic cotton priced at about $40. If there is a shop in your area with quality baby stuff, they will most likely have a nice selection.
If I may put in another plug for Berea Weavers, the blanket comes with a card that includes the name of the student who wove it. And they last for multiple children/generations.
As a grandma, and a mom of 5 Ds who have many friends who have had babies (and whose showers I’ve attended!), I would highly recommend something from aden + anais. Their security blankets are lovely.
I have given tooth fairy boxes. Pewter or china. I appreciated receiving clothing that my kids needed when they outgrew the newborn period. Like 9-12 month size.
I will put in a plug for something for mom as well. When I had my oldest, family (also large) gave me special blankets , clothes and books for my son, but more casual acquaintances gave me things I’ve long forgotten. BUT, what I remember most from a former work friend is the perfume and candle she gave me and some bath salts for ME. She was the only one who did anything like that, and although the perfume was not to my liking, the point was that she thought I might like a little pampering too.
I get the vibe that this is a friend that you wanted but didn’t get the chance to fully connect to on a daily basis.
Get something very traditional that will be kept over the years. A napkin ring, porringer cup with engraved name. A piggy bank with kid’s name.
It doesn’t need to be practical in the least but make it special.
My vote is also getting something for mom, lotion, wine/champagne, coffee, chocolate, flowers…
I really didn’t like getting clothing for my kids because I preferred to dress them myself. The worst thing is when I had t put them on my kid when gift giver come visit.
Books. I’m a firm believer that every child should have their own library of books. Clothing is always appreciated but I never give any clothing smaller than 12 month size (my babies were in 12 month clothing at around 6-8 months old) since they go through the smaller sizes very quickly.
When I my first, I received gifts from many people - including people that I didn’t know very well. I didn’t find it odd or strange. Instead I was thankful that they were so thoughtful towards me and my baby. Really, sending a baby gift is always a thoughtful thing to do. And it’s always appreciated. Have no concerns on that front.
If clothing, definitely 12 months or older in size.For gift certificates, consider Amazon: one can buy almost anything on Amazon. If books, I’d go for older classics, such as Miss Rumphius or Make Way for Ducklings. Bunnykins mugs and plates, especially if they are the kind of people who will actually use them. (Like me. )
I like the idea of wine and chocolate, or bath products (not too smelly), or something like that, for mom. Or you could do a couple of bath things for baby and a couple for mom. If you get clothes or a blanket, go with cotton.
For a time when I was younger, I got hand made pottery bowls with kids names and birthdays. Let us know what you decide.
If not, I think it’s nice to ignore the baby (who couldn’t care less anyway) and buy something for the older child to celebrate their promotion to big brother or big sister.
Edited to add: You can tell that I was a firstborn, right?
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