What gift for ex husband's newborn daughter?

[oreo2020]

The context: not together with my ex husband for several years now. Two teenage DC between us. He moved away and got remarried and just had a baby girl.
He wants our DC to visit, also me to tag along. I expect I will meet the new wife and the baby, though not anticipating spending any significant time with them (we will travel to visit relatives).

I despise him for his poor parenting to our DC and selfishness, so I am travelling through a gritted teeth but on the surface we are amicable.

I think it would be polite to bring something little for the baby, so not to show empty handed or ignorant, but I struggle to think what it could be! So asking for ideas for something fairly neutral! Thanks.

Clothing is always a good bet.

I don't think you should feel obliged to get anything but if you'd like to, a picturebook is always a good bet.

Having just had a baby, I think book tokens would be great. Then the parents can choose some really lovely books for baby.

He expects you to tag along? What am I reading here? Buy something from your teens for the baby - that's it. Anything.

That’s so hard - I think I would just get a set of three babygros but I would make the effort to buy a special card as the child is your children’s sibling

You can pick up something cute but cheap in most supermarkets, a nice little sleepsuit or similar. Just a token gift

Sorry, moved away meant to another country about 8 hours flight away.

Why are you tagging along? Drop off teens with a gift? Your not married you don't need to do the whole wife work and manners thing anymore

Ahhh that far

Naa go over drop them off go back to hotel collect later 😂

You're an absolute hero doing that and keeping it all amicable. I'd say a nice card that the three of you can sign and a small soft toy. It's nice for your DC to have given something to their new baby half sibling that they know is from them going forward.

Buy a “my family “ picture frame with his older children’s picture already in it just to remind him he has 3 children. I wouldn’t be visiting but would drop the dc off

Me, I'd take something absolutely awful. A loud toy that you can't turn off maybe.

For someone who hates their ex less then me, maybe just a card from your children. I don't think they'd expect a gift x

How about a "Good luck in life with a crappy dad" card and matching babygro? 😉

I certainly wouldn’t be tagging along. I’d have zero interest in wife or baby. Give teens money and send them to baby wear in marks and Spencer. Job done.

Hope he’s paying for your travel?

I think you just get a few gifts for your teens and you to give the baby together - a cute outfit, a picture book and a soft toy between the three of you and you're done.

I'd get a soft toy - something like Moulin Roty or Jellycat.
Clothes are quite personal in taste and babies grow out of them in no time. But I might consider something like a really cute hat or a nice blanket.

A Sophie Giraffe, the cheapest one is under 20 quid and they are a classic.

If it's meant to be a gift from your DC to their new sibling a small soft toy might be best. Clothes etc are more of an adult gift.

Don't bother giving the baby something from you. It would make both you and the recipients feel awkward.

Baby grow from your teens and a card signed by them. Obviously you’ll all fly over but can you drop them off at the door and spend the day doing something nice on your own or seeing friends or relatives? I don’t really understand why he wants you there, unless he’s being a twat and wants to show off his new family?

Well done for maintaining the amicable front. Very refreshing.

Why don't you let your kids choose a gift and card for their new sibling and you just pay and sign the card?

I have bought friends living abroad either Welsh (I'm Welsh even though I no longer live there) or London / UK themed gifts - eg. a picture book about London, a Paddington Bear toy or an item of British-themed clothing (eg with a red bus or whatever on - try Monsoon or Next).

If you want to get something specifically from you I'd stick to a couple of classic picture books, perhaps ones your own kids enjoyed when they were small....(it might spark a memory in your ex-DH brain!).

That's all helpful ideas, thanks.
Just remembered I still have my DC's childhood books - maybe could pass one of them on and consider it a gift?
To the question why am I tagging along: it's a foreign country (a nice one but not entirely safe) and my DC want me with them. It's probably the last time I am doing that as they will be old enough to travel by themselves in the future. I offered to pay for my own flight and ex husband will take care of the rest.

Give the teens 10quid and get them to choose something next time your in somewhere like m&s or even a supermarket with a good baby clothes department/kids books. Tell them what size to pick. Or a paddington bear is a good idea.

I would not go inside but just drop off the teens and give them a soft toy to give thier half sister.