gift for new parents - bag of alternative toys?

[ecofreckle]

I am a new Mum - DD is 4 mo now. DH and I love those times when we play with her one (or two) on one. We've found that some unlikely things are the most enjoyed!

We have 4 sets of close friends/family who are about to have babies. We?d like to give them a special gift so I am considering making a personalised play sack containing some of these ?alternative? toys (space blanket, feather, fibre optic wand, pin wheel, bells, mini maraca, chiffon scarf, black and white striped play mat, hand puppet, rainbow ribbons, bubble gun, ?safe? mirror, mini wind chime). I?m also going to make some mini bunting to go in the sack, with the child?s first name on a few of the flags. not sure when these crafty chores are going to get done what with the baby and all but it?s good to aim high eh

Can I ask 1) do you think this gift would be gratefully received and 2) can you think of anything else to go in it/improve it?

Obviously you know these people and will have a better idea of their personalities than we do.

If it were me, I'd think it was a lovely present and be delighted. But there are some who would be a bit confused by it.

I think it's nice, you'll maybe get some of the bits out of the Tiger shop fairly cheaply- they do some nice led toadstools and things.

I would have loved that gift. Although at first I might have been a bit bit after a few months I'd have been most grateful. My 10mo would love most of that too so it'll definitely last too.

What a lovely idea

I know when we had DD1 we soon found that little, light toys that she could hold herself at about 2 months were needed. We were given lots of clothes (very welcome!) and some cuddly toys (really for 12 months or more).

So, yes, I would think it would be a lovely gift.

Ah, so generally positive! Good. Thanks for feedback. I am hoping to involve my sister who makes gorgeous decorated vintagey luggage labels and write a few of our own experiences on and attach these to some of the more odd 'toys'. That might help with some of the faces? I am going to check out LED mushrooms! They sound blissful

Look up 'treasure basket' for ideas - there's loads of early education theory about playing with 'real' objects. In retrospect the best presents I received were storage boxes, so a nice box or container would make the bits a lovely present.

Just don't insist on buying all 173 suggested items in a book, complain if they weed out ones that are unsafe if baby 1 throws them at visiting baby, or lecture them on play theory for hours on end. I had a friend who did that...

I'd have been utterly baffled by this sort of gift to be honest, especially for a second, third or fourth child. First time round when my baby was less that 3 months old I was in such a fog and everything was so hard toys were the furthest thing from my mind. Babies don't need toys when they are little. For the babies I always liked getting clothes, especially from people who made it clear they would not be offended if they swapped them for something that fitted better or that we needed more.

The people I was most grateful to were the ones who provided meals or brought a cake.

The best present ever would have been a cleaner for 3 months! Or failing that a listening ear whenever needed, offering no advice, words of wisdom or personal experience, but just listening kindly.

I'd be especially wary of writing about your own experiences. You do know that every baby is different don't you ?

Sounds just lovely especially with the explanations.
I would have loved it.

teabag I'm a rookie! I know nowt so I couldn't lecture even if I wanted to! eat lots of cake is my best advice As a new Mum it is mega frustrating to be 'given the wisdom', I agree.
uneven hhhmmmm...yes, of course. I need to have a careful think about that. Maybe I could just say what we did (smartie likes the idea of some info). But maybe not. Need it not to be taken as patronising. Good point. I shall think on. A cleaner would have been great for us too. The house here has only recently been mucked out. But with SMP we're very skint so trying to be creative.

Sounds fab!