Best present for newborn in the Middle East?

[geekaMaxima]

Ex-pat parents of babies in the Middle East - what was really useful in the early days? What gift did you appreciate the most?

My friend is due her first baby in December in Qatar and I'm stuck for a good present. My usual go-to gifts for new babies like a posh baby blanket or car seat snuggly just won't work in a climate that ranges from 25-55 deg (And I can't drop round food like I do for local friends!) Both parents are ex-pats and I'm sure they'll be inundated with toys by post, so would rather get them something useful.

Ideas, pretty please! Budget is up to 50 quid and I'll need to be able to post it, otherwise anything goes.

[geekaMaxima]

Bump?

[Globetrotter100]

A chillow?

[Pauperback]

I lived in the ME (though pre-child), but air con is often freezing - I wouldn't discount a blanket.

[NickiFury]

Air con everywhere. Cooler there than here most of the time when inside. I think the usual baby presents would be fine.

[GizzyBoo]

Muslin swaddle blankets?

[geekaMaxima]

Hadn't thought about freezing ac - thanks! Maybe a lightweight merino blanket might work after all.

[Kathysclown]

The air con in homes and malls is always icy cold, so cardigans, blankets etc are used a lot. However, one of the most practical things that I used was a terry toweling cover for the car seat. As baby car seats are usually all made of black material, and it gets burning hot if left in the car - having a white cover that fits over the black material (it's the equivalent of a fitted sheet) made things a lot more comfortable, and absorbed the sweat from the baby too, as even in an air conditioned car, babies get hotter than in the UK. Check what make of car seat they have and see if you can get a cover. Not very exciting, but very useful!