Good present for a new mum?

[passionfruity]

My friend has just had a baby and I'm wondering what to give her as a present. I'm aiming to spend around £30. It's her first but her sister gave birth a year ago so I expect that she'll give her lots of bits and pieces, including clothes.

So my plan is to buy a beautiful photo album, a pampering kit of nice smelling toiletries etc and some flowers.

Or can you think of anything else that a new mum would like?

[screamingabdab]

Sounds perfect, except maybe a plant instead of flowers, because, believe it or not, it becomes a bit of a faff to put flowers in a vase ......

One thing I really appreciated, after having DS1 was some wooden letters, spelling out his name, to go on his door.

Will try and find a link

[screamingabdab]

www.babyrepublic.co.uk/index.php?cPath=164&gclid=CPyI0rvSwZsCFYUA4wod7Et7DQ

This sort of thing (Google Wooden Letters)

[KingRolo]

Agree about the plant instead of flowers.

There is nothing more depressing than looking at a vase of dead smelly flowers while feeding your 2 week old!

How about a box of nice treats like chocolate, nuts and dried / fresh fruit. I was ravenous for the first week or so.

[HensMum]

To be honest, when I got nice bath stuff when DS was born it just made me feel depressed as I never had time to use it.
The best things I got (for me) was a homemade apple cake and a selection of luxury hot chocolates.

[sazlocks]

My best pressies were a couple of dishes of easily heated up food, a couple of homemade cakes. How about making up a small hamper of foodie treats and maybe an orchid plant - nice to look at as flower for months and don't take much looking after ?

[HensMum]

Sorry, I got distracted before I could offer some more helpful suggestions!
I really like KingRolo's idea of yummy snacks.
What about a magazine subscription, or box set of DVDs?
I like your idea of the photo album. Perhaps a voucher for somewhere to get photos printed?

[KingRolo]

Yes, DVDs! Whether she breastfeeds or bottle feeds, she'll be stuck to the sofa for hours. I ended up watching all manner of garbage on cable.

[MrsBadger]

gin

cake

sky+

meals for the freezer and/or vouchers for takeaways

[passionfruity]

Thanks for your ideas, particularly about getting a plant rather than flowers. And chocolates will definitely go down well with her!

[OonaghBhuna]

Massage vouchers or make her her tea or a coffee, hoover the house, hang out washing, do any ironing.I also agree home made food that can go in the freezer.

[Supercherry]

Definitely agreeing on throwing some chocolate in! Also, wine, especially if she's not breastfeeding.

I think I would have rather have had flowers (offer to put them in a vase for her or get the ones that come in a vase of water) over a plant, as a plant needs watering frequently, too time consuming.