 |
| Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash |
It’s always exciting when someone you know has a baby. But what do you buy for a new arrival? It’s easy to go for something cute and obvious, or vouchers always come in handy for new parents. But if you’re looking for something a bit different, here are a few ideas to give you some inspiration.
A photo album or frame
With camera phones to capture every waking moment of a baby’s first months, one thing new parents are not short of is pictures of their baby. A personalised photo album or frame can let them print and frame some of their lovely photos to cherish for a lifetime, and their child will enjoy looking back on them in years to come, I know my kids do.
Practical gifts
While it’s great to buy cute teddy bears or baby clothes, practical gifts are worth their weight in gold. You could put together a little baby medicine kit that includes a digital thermometer, some medicated nappy cream, a bottle of Calpol and some teething gel or powder. While you might think it’s boring, it will be one of the most welcome gifts when the time comes.
Many times I have put together a practical hamper for friends who already have all the cute clothes. You can never have enough nappies if you are going the disposal route, or if you're friend if using reusable then buy them a super cute wrap or two.
Clothes in larger sizes
Tiny baby grows and little booties are so cute. However, chances are, that’s what everyone else will be buying too. Babies grow so fast that they might not even get the chance to wear your gift and also, if you buy a newborn size and they have a large baby, it might not even fit them at all.
It's a great idea to buy clothes in larger sizes. By doing this, the parents will be less likely to have many clothes in that size already and you’ll save them some money and future planning.
 |
| Photo by Picsea on Unsplash |
Classic children’s books
A lifelong love of reading starts at an early age. Books are always a great gift for children. Try one of the classics such as ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ as well as a selection of books by new authors too. My son received a set of Winnie the Pooh books from his Godmother and he still treasures them now, as they shared those special stories and now memories, together.
Vouchers for baby classes
Baby classes are a great way for parents and babies to get out and enjoy activities. There are so many types of classes to choose between. From baby yoga, sensory, massage and music. Classes can also be a lifeline for new mums who may be feeling lonely on maternity leave and need a place where they can meet other new mums too. Even in this COVID time, many classes are still meeting, so check out what's on offer in your local area.
Don’t forget Mum
During pregnancy, everyone is fussing over the expectant mother, but then once the baby is born, all the attention quickly transfers to the new arrival. A gift for mum, who is undoubtedly undergoing a lot of physical and mental stress, is a great way to let them know you are thinking of them too.
Your gift to mum could be some indulgent beauty products or a voucher for a spa day. If you know her well then it will be easy to think of something that she will appreciate, and if not, ask someone who knows her better or stick with a safer option such as a spa voucher or gift basket.
Whatever you choose to buy to celebrate the arrival of a new baby will undoubtedly be gratefully received, so go with your instincts when choosing gifts. If you’re really struggling, ask them if there’s anything they need that they haven’t already bought and I'm sure they'll appreciate your offer.
