Ideas for presents from Big Sister to Baby Brother on arrival and vice versa?

[eversomuch]

DS will be arriving in about 9 weeks. I was thinking it would be nice to get him a gift from his big sister and for him to give DD something as well. Nothing too huge or hugely expensive; should be useful/practical (not just fated to collect dust on a shelf) and could be held onto as a keepsake. I'm about to start trawling the web, but would be grateful for any suggestions. Thanks!

We are making a photo book for dd1 with pictures of her life pre-baby.

Ds 1 has a favourite teddy, which he adores. A couple of weeks before ds2 was due, we took him shopping to choose a special teddy for the baby, so "he can love him as much as I love teddy".
As for keepsake ideas from baby to older sister, sorry I can't help there. we just got ds1 some lego star wars figures (which he loves)

Baby DS got his 3 year old sister a baby boy doll. She wanted him to have his own blanket like hers (so he wouldn't want hers I think!), so chose one for him. Then just as she was leaving the house to come to get us from the hospital, she ran back in and got one of her stuffed toys for him, that she makes sure he has with him at all times.

After getting something for dd, we saw a Playmobil set of big sister and baby in pram - I thought afterwards that that would have been a nice big sister present...

DD1 loves her 'Big Sister' t-shirt and it encourages adults to talk to her about her little sister. You can get them all over, for example Next and also I think in some supermarkets.

Dd at 3 got baby brother a little doll she chose: he got her a pop-up play tent. Not hugely expensive, but a way for her to have her own place to escape to- and I did think it was good that the present she got was bigger.

Baby didn't get present but big sister got a whole new baby package with doll, pushchair, cot, changing table etc

I think a photo book of all the lovely things dd did pre new baby sounds like a great idea... If you have time. Then if they are ever feeling left out it can be read and prompt a discussion about being a big sister. Maybe a space on the last page to put a pic of them both together? you could always carry the tradition on and give one on birthdays etc in the future.... Oooh, I'm keeping this idea for when I decide to have dc number 2. Thanks ellesabe.

When my baby brother was born I got a baby boy doll 30 years later i still have it and my son plays with it. Never mind I didn't he calls it his uncle...... Doll. I am currently pregnant and plan to do the same thing.

Lovely ideas. DD will only be 19 months when DS arrives, so I don't think she'd really appreciate a photo album right now, but it's a great idea for future.

She's mad about dogs, so I'm thinking we'll get her a really cute stuffed toy one I saw recently. I think she'll love it and will be able to hold on to it forever, if she wants.

Still contemplating a gift from her to little brother, though.