What new baby gifts did you really love/appreciate?

[rainonthewindow]

Sorry if this thread has been done 1000 times! DSis is due soon and I’d like to get her something really lovely but I can’t make my mind up. I keep seeing so many lovely clothes and blankets etc but she’s bought/been given so many already.

What baby presents do you remember as being special? Things that you actually used and loved. Thanks all!

Someone bought ds some beautiful aiden + anais muslin cloths when he was born. They’re really big and can be used for so many things now he’s older, mainly for constructing the canopy of dens

Depends how much you want to spend.

A package with a photographer for a newborn photo shoot was my favourite.

I was just coming on here to write about Aden and anais muslins too; they stay soft no matter how many times they’re washed unlike others that go scratchy and I always buy them for people now.
They are expensive for muslins but as a gift they’re not and they’re definitely the best

Yes Aden & Anais muslins are so lovely. I still love ours & use them at any opportunity.

Also sleeping bags (6m plus), musical carousel/musical bear.

DH says the sleeping bag was the best hit we received ☺️

Would only recommend an outfit if it was something really special, like Fred&Noah leggings or hand knitted cardigan.

Thanks so much all Lovely suggestions. I can see Aden & Anais have some bits in the sale at the moment too so that’s a bonus!

@IDontDrinkTea That was what me and DP had planned as a present! I went over to her house the other week and saw a gift voucher for a photographer on the table... Someone bought her a bump and newborn photo shoot and beat me to it!!

Does anyone have any other suggestions for other lovely brands like Aden & Anais and Fred & Noah?

I had a cuddledry apron towel that I loved. They are made from bamboo, so are really soft and quick drying. I’m quite heavy handed and it saved me from soaking myself as well as not having to support baby with one hand to grab a towel with the other.

cuddledry.com/shop?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiLqtr87d4wIVCrTtCh2tnw33EAAYASAAEgIwLvD_BwE

The tuppence and crumble star wrap we got for DS has been used to death, although not so much in this weather admittedly.

Chocolates and cakes etc, were very much appreciated, especially when stuck on the sofa breastfeeding all day.

Personally I really like the clothes on Andostores.com lovely light clothes in neutral colours and styles.

Completely practical and not that lovely but we were given a fold up changing mat with compartments for wipes and nappies from Jojo Maman Bebe. It was used every single day when DS2 was little, and now is always in the change bag. I have no idea how I survived without it for DS1!

One of my favorite gifts was a money box that has no bottom, so has to be smashed when full.
It had a lovely poem on the box and the person it was from popped a pound in.
It was something I really liked, as different to all the clothes we were given (was very grateful for the lovely clothes, but a nice change)

I got a hamper thing someone put together. It had lots of little things in it like baby bath, hairbrush, socks, nappy cream, magazine, nice hand cream, even little things for dad. Each individual gift was only between about £1- £4 but I think altogether it cost quite a bit though.

Food!!

Nice, ready meals (Finest/M&S) and preprepped veg. Puddings, teabags, biscuits. And toddler meals too.

Some of the best gifts I got/ things that made my life easier:

Muslins
Myhummy (the one that switches back on when baby makes a noise)
Snoozeshade
Taf toys pram mobile
Cute dribble bibs
Tummy time mirror
Pram bag organiser

The bag of random stuff from a colleague of DH's that I hardly know. She'd clearly gone round the baby aisle of home bargains, so nappy sacks, dummies, cotton wool, nappy cream, a blanket, socks etc, plus some hand creams and face wipes for me. Honestly felt the most useful and thoughtful present

I really loved personalised gifts, seeing your babies name (that you’ve thought about for so long!) on an item was really special. The dressing gown from here is great : www.my1styears.com/

Also loved the money box.

I would say not jelly cat toys- we’ve ended up with so many.

Can’t really remember - my mum bought us the pushchair so that was most useful! What I would have liked would have been a few home cooked meals I’d just have to reheat or a facial and massage with the offer of babysitting.
What was absolutely a waste of money was very pretty expensive dresses in the wrong season - more than once the giver would say ‘oh I know it’s the wrong weather but I couldn’t resist’! Yea I’m not putting my baby in a cute snowsuit in the summer no matter how adorable! I even got a Baby Dior dress - gorgeous, sleeveless piece of froth, which would have fit mid winter. And lasted maybe two minutes before covered in sick. Very generous of the givers but never worn.

A mobile toy that attached to the car window and also a mirror for the car so I could see him when driving,

Like PipandMum - some home made meals ready just to be heated through were the best.

Then people who just came round and, whilst nipping in to the kitchen to put the kettle on, unasked, just did the washing up for us. Or people that delivered a cake or a nice box of biscuits.

My M&D and dh's M&D gave us money for a cot and for a pram, which were obviously massively appreciated at the time.

The best thing (though I bought it myself) was a lovely warm dressing gown which saw me through the getting up in the night for years to come, but also looked respectable enough when people came round and I'd still not managed to get out my PJs at 11am

Blanket crocheted by a friend and home cooked dinners dropped off.

Brilliant items received:
Beautiful baby blanket, still used by DD (7)
Silver heart locket, one of her favoritisms things for 'fancy'
Name tapes! If baby is going to nursery so useful. Mine only started using hers since school but they are so useful .

A baby thermometer - had no idea we needed one or how much we would use it...

Lovely shower gel for me ( Molton brown etc.)

On the other hand the designer dresses had me

Was tempted to return them and buy something for me...still regret it as was worn max twice.

I bought the car mirror myself but definitely recommend that. Also changing mat.

One of my lovely friends came to visit with ah m&s dine in for 2! Was so lovely and thoughtful!

Euan the dream sheep, amazon prime membership (that’s saved me many times over) and hand knitted cardis.

Gifts for mum and dad go down well! Generally you've bought everything the baby needs, and everyone gives you so many clothes and blankets. Any gifts aimed at mum and dad will be very much appreciated think bath stuff, chocolate/sweets, vouchers for some sort of food service or take away etc.

DD6 had a couple of special cuddly toys which she still cuddles & plays with now, my DSis bought a gorgeous blanket which was very special to me and I've kept & she uses for her toys.
A necklace or pottery with footprint on?
These are keepsakes though, the most valued gifts were time & home cooked meals we could heat up!!!!

Ewan The Dream Sheep is my go-to new baby present, along with a box of nice chocolates for the Mum. P