To ask for your advice on maternity leave presents?

[MsMommy]

Just looking for inspiration and didn't know where else to post. Sorry!
So my colleague / job share partner is off on maternity leave soon and I'm stepping into her role almost full time while she's away and I'm having a whip round for a present for her.
We're a small team so it won't be loads of money. She already has a toddler under 3 so won't need much baby stuff. She doesn't wear a lot of jewellery. She's about to move house from an apartment to a semi-detached in suburbia. I'd rather get her something for her than for the baby.
Any cool ideas? Go! (Thank you.)

How much do you anticipate having to spend?

A massage for her while she is pregnant would be great if the budget will stretch.

There is nine of us in the team but not everyone will be there to contribute and I wouldn't expect most people to give as much as a fiver so quick tally maybe only between £25 - £30? (Could end up being more, I'm erring on the low side.) I did wonder about spa things. Could be nice with the stress of the house move...

I got gift vouchers for Debenhams. Much appreciated I used it for fancy makeup which I never had time to wear once DD was born

If I'd been given a spa/massage voucher it would have gone unused.

Maybe a voucher towards a massagemassage then? Of course only if she likes that kind of thing.

I would have loved a massage in the final weeks.

Flowers and/or a gift card for her to spend on her when she e.g. needs new clothes.

I also wondered about Debs type vouchers. Might be handy to buy clothes post preg, stuff for the new home, or a treat like Flisspaps (great handle!). Not sure if she might be a bit too posh for Debs tho. Ooh, maybe John Lewis!

Manicure/pedicure voucher for a local salon?

JL vouchers are always nice, they sell baby stuff but also home stuff too, so ideal as she's also moving house.

Cook vouchers so they can stick up their freezer? Best maternity present I ever got!

Either vouchers for somewhere like John Lewis that stocks a range of stuff or a little hamper. Make it yourself using a nice box or bag and think nappies, wipes, bibs, muslins (all the non reusable baby kit) then chocs for mum.

Food related . Personally best presents I had as you can't be bothered to cook after giving birth !

Thanks for your ace suggestions. A hamper of non baby bits might be a nice idea. Little bottle of bubbly, nice chocs, poncey biscuits, some nice coffee...

Nice handsoap, nice handcream. You wash your hands a lot during the early days.

DECENT HANDCREAM!! I love Clarins, and that would be a great treat. I had a voucher for a massage and hated the massage. I thought they had a problem with their drains, then realised the noise was some soothing whale music.

When I had DC3, a few ladies from the toddler group I went to cooked for the family - arriving at a pre-arranged time with a two course meal - for four nights over a week. That was fab!

Lots of nice toiletries, can get lots of cheap ones in travel sections of boots, small means of she doesn't like one wont be a big waste. You could even pop in any free samples of creams etc. Put all in a box together with some food treats maybe? That's me I love hamper style gifts.

Seconding cool vouchers. They do a discount for new mums so she can stick up a bit for when they're suck of toast.

Hamper is a nice idea, if she's moving, a nice plant for her new garden? Or a bf-friendly deckchair if funds will stretch?

Cowshed do some lovely mums to be products as well as baby stuff too. I have given both and they have been very welcome.

Cowshed

Scholes. Thank you- that just cracked me up.

I'd go the vouchers route. That way she can choose to spend it how she likes- if she is strapped for cash she can use it for baby things or if she has plenty of babygrows/vests/nappy cakes or whatever that everyone seems to buy she can spend it on herself/house

Why not just buy a present from you?

I really dislike whip arounds especially when I have no intention of giving a gift myself. It makes you look like a cheapskate if you don't contribute even if you can't really afford to chip in.

Fab ideas. Thanks again ladies. :)

I was given a lovely Liz Earle gift box when I left. Was lovely to be able to pamper myself once ds was settled.

Just eat voucher for a post baby take away. Nom nom nom.

I got a boots voucher when i was pregnant! Bloody loved it, i used it for makeup for me, i remember running out of wipes once so used it then, just such a handy voucher to have. May have got some posh hand soap too I would have never bought if I didnt have the voucher. I used that soap every day and it just made me smile.
ok so i sound really sad, but it did!!

Clothes vouchers were my favourite thing! I looked forward to spending them as I was slogging through those early weeks still in maternity clothes. I was so fed up of maternity clothes !!!

I steer clear of toiletries as people can be very specific about brands etc. I HATE spas and being massaged, so if someone gave me a voucher for that I'd be gutted to be honest. Flowers and a boots voucher would be pretty perfect as she can choose if she wants something for the baby of for herself then too.