What is a good present for an aunt to give her sister and first niece/nephew?

[erinaceus]

My sister is pregnant and it is the first grandchild for my parents and my first nephew or niece on this side of the family. We are all excited!

My sister and I live a couple of hours apart, with an easy travel link.

I’d like to get my sister and baby a gift to mark the occasion. Perhaps something she wouldn’t otherwise get for herself and baby.

We lean towards the practical and she’s pragmatic and a little bit earth mother type. I thought maybe a nice cloth sling - I don’t think she’s got one yet. Are there any that are a brand that will last? Another thought I had was one of those photoshoots with the baby when it is very small but I think this could be a bit marmite, has anyone done that?

Any other ideas that are a big original? She’s not having a baby shower, she didn’t want one.

After having my baby I was inundated with lots of things for the baby and was incredibly grateful. Everything was practical and very much needed and used lots.
2 people bought gifts that were solely for me and it really touched me, I found it hard to adapt to my new life/ role so getting a little personalised gift made me feel seen. One person sent me a little pamper package, i’m not one for spa days etc but a little bath night using all my new products was the break I needed.
Another person bought me a personalised necklace with my babies birth flower and name printed on it and it’s such a lovely keepsake for me.

I’m not a big fan of the newborn photoshoots but the photos they create are lovely and lasting.

I bought a classic set of books for each of my daughter's first birthdays, Peter rabbit and Paddington. Perhaps you could wrap them in an extra large muslin cloth, I found these super versatile for my spring baby.

A soft wrap sling is a lovely idea too but more short lived.

I would get something lovely for both mum
And baby .
Aden and anais have lovely but expensive Muslin cloths and swaddles which will get lots of use.
For your sister I would get some pyjamas / loungewear / desssing gown but a nice brand that she would never buy for herself .
A great travel mug would also go down a treat do she can have a hot cup of tea !

When my friend had twins 30 years ago, I bought her champagne (she wasn't breastfeeding), Stilton and paté and crackers etc. - food she'd had to give up during pregnancy.

I'd be bankrupt if I had to buy everything you have give up now!

Tuppence and crumble star blanket for baby- best gift I was given.
Large insulated cup - think 750ml+ for hot and cold drinks. Even if you don't breastfeed you get nap trapped.

Wow! Thanks for some great ideas.

I had a brainwave and actually asked my sister and despite not having a baby shower she does have a list. One suggestion is a towelling robe with a hood for baby so I think I might get that and maybe a dressing gown for my sister as well. It is a good point to think about gifts for the mother too. Then I feel bad not getting one for her husband but he might find something different helpful. I will have a think.

The suggestion of books for the first birthday is a lovely one, I shall hold onto that for a future year. Thanks everyone!

If you're buying before the birth, just buy something nice for your sister like bath treats, chocolate, socks. I personally would never buy baby gifts until baby is here, unless the mum-to-be asks for them specifically. I'm too paranoid.

Practical things. Babygros that fit now or soon in patterns so they don't show stains, muslins, nappies, nappy sacks. Food for the freezer and snacks.
No teddies or age 9-12 months Baby's First Christmas outfit.

I know it's not on your list, but I think even a small gift for dad would be really appreciated. Of all the gifts we got, 90% were for the baby, 9.5% for me, and half of one of them for him.

My friend got it for him as part of the bundle she got us, and I really appreciated that she thought of our whole family. (She got us his and hers facemasks).

If you know she would like to use slings, maybe a voucher for a local sling consultant and offer to drive her there. Slings are a bit like jeans and what suits one doesn't suit another etc.

I love it when my sister buys me versions of things that we loved as children, for my DC. Like our favourite books etc.

She already has a sling (good thing I checked).

I think in terms of the hooded towelling robe she asked for @Hall84 suggested the Tuppence and Crumble star blanket and they do a towelling version. I wonder what size to get - I think the middle one. I take on board the point about not buying something for baby until after the birth.

Yes I’ll definitely think of her husband, @thecatsthecats . Of the stuff on this thread I actually think for him a thermos coffee mug could be really practical. (A dressing gown for the dad seems a bit random to me unless I get all three of them matchy-matchy and I’m not convinced that is the family’s vibe.)

Thanks so much everyone for useful suggestions and feedback.

If you're looking at towels OP then try hooded owls. They're pricey but we're still using them at age 4, although I think they do a newborn version too.

Does your sister have a charm bracelet? A charm for it could be nice.

Do you cook? I know it is hard for new parents to go out but you could cook them a meal in a couple of months, and rope your mum and dad in as babysitters.

I got my brother a book called something like, 'how to be a little shit' - it was a diary of a new baby.

Maybe this for dad - a baby instruction book https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Be-Baby-Instruction-Newborns/dp/0955050073#:~:text=Book%20overview&text=How%20to%20be%20a%20Baby%20is%20an%20hilarious%20spoof%20instruction,achieve%20in%20their%20first%20months.

Found it, it's how to be a little sod https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Little-Sod-Simon-Brett/dp/0575041609/ref=sr_1_1?crid=73FWCT9JKK7H&keywords=rik+mayall+how+to+be+a+little+sod&qid=1708145240&s=books&sprefix=rik+mayall+how+to+be+a+little+sod%2Cstripbooks%2C112&sr=1-1

Then I feel bad not getting one for her husband but he might find something different helpful.

For goodness sake, he hasn't just given birth! Why would you feel bad for not providing a gift for him?

I got my sister a box of Neals Yard products - some to help perineal healing - and lots of chocolate and other treats.

The best gift we were given was a photo of the sunrise on the day our daughter was born.

Not particularly practical, but a lovely thing for us (and her) to keep.

https://thedaythat.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrs3y79WxhAMVmZpQBh3UZg_wEAAYASAAEgLRc_D_BwE

Also second the suggestion of a Tuppence and Crumble wrap. So useful and really good quality

I think because he’s just become a father. Why excommunicate him from the celebration?

Not to rain on your parade but I found hooded towels a bit pointless 🙈 I had a few for my oldest, they weren't a fancy brand, just supermarket, but they weren't that big and I found I just wanted to get baby dried as quickly as possible and clothes on as quickly as possible so they weren't lounging around im a damp towel, so normal bath towel was always handier.
If she's mother earthy maybe she would like some cloth nappies? Or a co sleeper cot like a next to me? I bought a next to me when I had my 3rd and I loved it so much, way better than a moses basket.

Ah that’s interesting. I looked at some and I think a toddler sized hooded towel might be more useful, for example when taking toddler to the pool or beach.

She has her cloth nappies and co sleeper cot already (so you are definitely on the right lines!).