I think anything would be okay. I mean , it’s hard to go wrong for a little baby. Is she registered anywhere?
I wouldn’t do anything big ( stroller, crib, etc.) or basic ( bottles, etc.)because it is a bit much given your friendship and it has probably been taken care of anyway.
Some suggestions-- baby clothes ( agree on 12 or 18 months), books, picture frame, something homemade, a U.S. Savings Bond, something commerative, etc.
Something for the mom is also a great idea. A friend once gave me a leisurely outfit after the birth of my third. I was so surprised and pleased.
i received a mirror and a stool with son’s name on it. My housecleaner had a son with same name, so eventually these items were passed on. Both gifts were useful and decorative for many years.
Our go-to present is a kiddie book, and a soft toy. The toy store near us carries a line of super soft flat plush toys - rather like beanie babies but with only the head stuffed. We’ve had very favorable reports about babies and toddlers liking these soft squashy things.
To avoid book duplication, buy her a Barnes and Noble gift card and a bottle of wine so she can sit quietly one evening and online shop for books for baby.
I give books - not Goodnight Moon or the Runaway Bunny, but ones my kids liked but are less well known.
Some of my favorites:
Grandfather Twilight - Barbara Helen Berger
Go Away Big Green Monster - Ed Embersley
More, more, more said the Baby - Three love stories - Vera B. Williams
Freight Train - Donald Crews
First, go to http://registry.thebump.com/ and type in her name where it says first name, last name. This has become the most common way of letting friends know what you want for baby gifts. It links to different registeries. I suggest you take a look and see whether she is listed and if so what she wants.
Even if she’s not registered…type in a common name. You’ll probably hit some registeries and you can scroll through them and see if you like anything. It will give you some ideas.
You can also search for toys divided by age groups on Amazon.com for ideas.
If you want suggestions I’m going to suggest the one piece outfits made by Magnificent Baby. (That’s the name of the company. ) You can find them on Amazon. They are made with magnets rather than snaps or zippers and they are SO much easier to use with a newborn!!! (And I disagree with sizing suggestions. Babies come in different sizes and if you live in a part of the country that has seasons, it’s jonri’s law that the baby clothing gifts are never the right size for a baby during the right season.)
Other good clothing gifts are the Halo SleepSackSwaddle and Baby Merlin’s Magic SleepSuit.
There are some funny board books for mommies. I recommend Hickory Daiquiri Dock. Amazon sells it.
Do you knit? If so, consider the baby strawberry hat (or pumpkin, flower, whatever). Since they’re so small you can make them quickly and they’re always appreciated. I always aim for a 3 or 6 month old size, just to be sure.
Glad I asked for CC’s collective wisdom – keep the suggestions coming!
I checked it out, and it looks like they had a registry at Pottery Barn Kids; almost everything off their registry has been fulfilled, which is unsurprising given large families on both sides and a lot of friends.
Since collective opinion here seems to be that it’s fine to send a gift even if someone isn’t your BFF, ideally I’d like to send a little something for her + something for her baby (this is her first – so no older sibling). We’re in different cities, so I’d have to order the things I want, box/wrap and mail them so she gets one package.
Couple questions:
(i) For those who are saying baby blankets should be cotton, any particular reason why? Do they hold up better/better for the baby etc?
(ii) I like the idea of sending something personalized. How much personalized stuff do people receive? If I send something personalized like a blanket or a picture frame – is it likely that this is the 50th thing they’re getting with the name on it?
(iii) As for something for the mom – I personally don’t drink (religion) so I would feel awkward giving wine. Would something like chocolate covered strawberries keep ok through the mail (I’d buy them in Boston and mail them to DC in one package with the baby gift) or would they be gross? What are some other food gifts/websites with decent food gifts that you’d like post pregnancy? I know new moms tend not to drink coffee – but is chocolate ok? I don’t mind doing a box of chocolates, but I’d like it to be something “different/special” – i.e. not something I can just pick up at CVS because she can do that too.
Thanks for all the ideas. And BTW – I had no idea people bought books for newborns!
If you want to send a food gift, send chocolate covered dried fruit OTHER THAN STRAWBERRIES. Blueberries, cherries, figs are all OK. Small amount of chocolate it OK (too much, and the baby will get a shot of caffeine in the milk). You do not know if the baby is allergic to strawberries - red strawberries contain a protein that causes severe reactions in some people. The allergen may be passed through breast milk. I have a relative with such allergy, and my mom was not allowed to eat strawberries while she breast fed me. Turns out, I don’t have the allergy… Lucky me!
Psst… I heard that Consolation is a gourmet chocolatier.
Books for newborns is absolutely a great gift. I have two kids who recently had babies and are thrilled at starting a library for them. I would suggest the Sandra Boynton board books. My grand kids, all under two, love them. We all started reading to them since birth.
Baby’s First Christmas ornament? or a whole package of “first holiday gifts”…Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas bibs, bottles, hats, etc. First-time parents love that short of thing. I was able to get everything (new with tags of course) on Ebay and put together quite a box for less than $50.
for each of our kids, a work-family gave us personalized baby pullover bibs. we have saved each one and loved them. each was a different color, had their name and a cute graphic embroidered -a duck, sailboat, flowers & train. I think you could look around etsy or online for something like that. personalized is a favorite.
It’s very nice of you to remember her as well. Having kids is emotional; i remember appreciating every gesture my way.
If you go with the chocolate-covered fruit, look at the website below. I lived in St. Louis (moved a long while ago) but one of the places I remember is this chocolatier. I don’t even like chocolate-covered fruit, and I think this is good. I’ve given these chocolates for gifts quite often.
Agree that strawberries are risky as they are too perishable and best the day they are made. If you go with chocolate dipped dried fruit, Burdick’s is right in Boston and they have some as well as other yummy stuff. http://www.burdickchocolate.com/Default.aspx
That Bissinger’s stuff above looks great, though. I’m going to order that sometime, @bromfield.
