Baby gifts - not clothes

[Teawithfrenchtoast]

A relative has recently had a baby and I’d like to buy a gift. I’ve bought 2 books for bedtime stories for when the baby is a little older, what else could I get? I don’t want to buy clothes as I know a lot of their friends have bought clothes, and I think trinkets and keepsakes are sometimes a waste of money as everyone’s tastes are different. Any ideas for around £20?

Baby links are incredibly useful and nowhere near £20. I think books are a lovely idea. You can get books for babies too:

https://www.johnlewis.com/sophie-la-girafe-baby-discovery-soft-book/p110880868

https://www.johnlewis.com/tiny-love-double-sided-first-baby-book/p111110864

Things we were bought that seemed insignificant when he was a newborn but have been used to death: -

Silicone toy safety straps (excellent once baby is highchair age in restaurants and cafes)

Star projector night light

Matchstick Monkey teether

White noise machine that attached to the car seat

Black and white pop up picture book (this was actually great from newborn age to about 4 months and still gets some use now at almost 1 year)

If in doubt I feel as though books, nappies, wipes, nappy bags and Sudocream always go down well and never go to waste.

What are the baby links for? I'm on my third baby and have seen them in shops but never actually seen a baby using them. I thought they were a teething toy.... but that wouldn't make them useful. I'm intrigued now!

Etta loves - specifically designed products so babies can see them.
Bought nephew a couple of muslins as a newborn gift, endlessly useful apparently and he would happily stare at them.
https://www.ettaloves.com/collections/muslins

They are a teething toy but you can also use them to attach anything with a ring or similar to a pushchair. Saved me many lost toys and little books! Also good for an older baby who can practise fine motor control by linking them together into a chain. When DC got older, they got repurposed as bracelets! They cost me a fiver or something, they last forever and they were genuinely useful.

A set of nice cutlery for when they're a bit older, e.g. https://dbnms.mobi/6OKgYqQuoD

We've bought several sets from TK Maxx in the past which went down well with recipients (the parents, rather than the baby).

I bought a set of lovely muslin blankets for a friend's baby. They get used all the time and are still useful well after the baby is too big too sleep under them.

Just a thought... everyone gets caught up in buying things for the baby, how about something for the mum? I didn't because my friend was a male work colleague and I'd only met his wife once... but looking back to when I had my babies it can feel a bit as if you were only there to produce the baby, and are only incidental to this gorgeous new being.

When a female work colleague had a baby I know she was desperate to be able to eat pate and soft cheeses, so maybe some of the food she has probably not been allowing herself while she's pregnant, or some booze. Or even just some pampering products.

Thank you everyone, some great ideas!

I would go practical

teething toys
bath toys
toys that can attach to pram or baby, like cloth books or soft toys with a teething aspect..
those silicone snack cups so babies snacks don’t fall out when they start snacking
sleeping bags maybe one from 6 months old in a winter tog

best gift I have every seen anyone give was 2 massive packs of nappies in a bigger size, I though it was genius.

Best gifts I got were 2 beautiful crocheted blankets, one the maker chose the colours the other she asked me what I wanted. Another of my favourites was a cot set I got for my first, my favourite part was the quilt it came with it was the perfect size and weight, I used it with all 3 of my DDs and still have it.

If there are photos of the baby, you can make a baby photo calendar with them and get as a part of a present.
Teething and bath toys are always useful and will be for quite a while!
Plushie could be a good option, my parents' friends got plushies for me what I was a baby, obviously I didn't play with them back then but I did a bit later and I still have a bear they got me to this day (I'm in my late 30s now).

I think its difficult because every baby and new mum are different.
I'd buy something for the mum, pj's, smellies a new book etc or even a voucher.

Toys for the bath.

Plates/bowls etc.

Sorry but please don't buy any of this stuff that's been recommended. They'll have it or they can choose their own. Make up a box of various snacks and ground coffee. They will appreciate that endlessly.