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Original poster

What to buy my partner for after the birth as a present. HELP!!!

21 replies

presland25 · 21/09/2013 21:58

Hi and thank you in advance for your advice.

I was thinking of getting a few presents for my girlfriend for after the birth. we are not married yet and i want to but cant afford the ring she wants yet. I am saving lol.

I was thinking flowers the change bag she really wants vouchers for new clothes and maybe a bracelet with a charm and possibly a nice frame for a pic of us three.

I want it to be lovely for her but am i on the right track or just being a man.... ;-)

OP posts:
HotCrossPun · 21/09/2013 22:00

Why don't you make up a hamper of all the things she couldn't eat and missed during pregnancy?

So pate, brie, Camembert, champagne, really nice coffee etc?

MrsGSR · 21/09/2013 22:02

I would be very happy with that! I think a charm bracelet is a lovely idea, I might have to start dropping hints to DH...

fizzly · 21/09/2013 22:02

A token for you to do all the cooking and cleaning for at least a month... Wink

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jkklpu · 21/09/2013 22:04

These are lovely ideas; probably best not to give them all at once. It will be a while before she'll want to go clothes shopping, I'd imagine. And if you give flowers, wait until you're home and make sure that you are the one who cuts the stems and puts them into the vase. The picture frame is an excellent idea. Go through with it and suggest a photo to put in there and do it; don't leave it up to her as she'll be rather busy.

Really the best thing to do is to assume that she does nothing other than look after the baby, assuming you are on paternity leave. Don't ask her the whole time if she wants a cup of tea or help, just do things, eg take her breakfast in bed, change the bed linen frequently, don't let visitors stay for too long and make sure that she isn't the one waiting on them, do all the washing (without being asked and being observant about what there is, make sure there is good food in the house and cook it. There are loads of small ways that you can make her feel valued without showering her with presents.

Enjoy your family.

Lexiesinclair · 21/09/2013 22:05

I would have been so happy with that lot. :)

BikeRunSki · 21/09/2013 22:06

A Links of London or Tiffany (or other) necklace with the baby' initial ? Or all three of your initials?

Doodledumdums · 21/09/2013 22:09

You sound lovely! How thoughtful Smile

The hamper Hotcrosspun suggests is a good idea. My DH didn't make a hamper, but he did get a couple of things in that I hadn't been allowed during pregnancy. My first night home from hospital I devoured 6 slices of pate on toast- heaven! A hamper would be lovely though.

If you do get a charm bracelet, can I suggest a Thomas Sabo one? My parents got me one as a gift after I had my DS, and they got three beautiful baby related charms. One was a pair of blue baby booties, one was a little silver pram, and one was a little heart which said 'My boy.' It was so special- though I very very rarely wear it as i'd be so gutted if any of the charms fell off, but really lovely to keep.

A change bag and a photo frame are lovely ideas too!

You don't need help, you sound like you've got it covered! Smile

picnicbasketcase · 21/09/2013 22:11

It's not actually compulsory to buy anything so don't feel like it's expected. It's lovely you've thought about it and got some nice ideas already though.

MacNCheese · 21/09/2013 22:15

I think if she wants a ring you should give her one.
Just a simple lovey promise ring for now and tell her when you can afford the one she deserves then you will replace it.

queenofthepirates · 21/09/2013 22:17

Not supposed to drink coffee when pregnant?

Uh oh....

Lala29 · 21/09/2013 22:22

I think a charm bracelet is lovely. I got myself one after the birth of our DD and it was one of those where you get a hand and footprint of your baby and they put them on a charm for you. I love it and really treasure it.
Although not compulsory to give presents, I really wish my husband gave me something to say thank you...

birdybear · 21/09/2013 22:28

I think you are lovely! All those things sound great. Remember one thing-when she has been up all night, hardly slept, shouting at you when she's exhausted, crying in pain with breastfeeding and generally being horrible to you because it has all got on top of her-cuddle her and remember how much you love her, and tell her things Will get better x

Bumpstarter · 21/09/2013 22:32

What. Jkkipu said

iloveweetos · 21/09/2013 22:34

Aw the thought alone is lovely. Lots of love hugs understanding and support (as well as gifts) go a very long way.

DumSpiroSpero · 21/09/2013 23:13

All sounds lovely although I'd probably give the clothes vouchers a swerve - maybe take her shopping around Christmas/New Year when everything has settled down a bit physically.

My DH arranged for a masseur to come to our house when DD was a few weeks old, and took over baby duties for the evening, night and following morning. I had a long bath, massage, early uninterrupted night and a lie in which I really needed by that stage!

MiconiumHappens · 21/09/2013 23:18

Charm bracelet is a very good idea Smile with a baby related charm to start

MortifiedAdams · 21/09/2013 23:24

Avoid clothes vouchers.

A big fluffy dressing gown to slob around and.BF in after the birth.

I.would have loved a note saying "if you need to rest, rest. if you need to sleep, sleep. If you need to eat, tell.me what to make. IF you need a bath,.shout! The guilt I piled upon myself just trying to get jalf an hours respite from.caring for the LO in the early days was hard. I knew DH would be there, but I always fot like I had to ask.

Growlithe · 21/09/2013 23:38

My DH got me nothing. Either time.

But he has been there with me every step of the way in being a parent for nearly 10 years, and has put his DCs before himself every minute since they have been born.

So he's alright.

Original poster
presland25 · 22/09/2013 21:24

Thank you all for your ideas..not sure what DH DD DS etc means tho lol;-) This will be baby number two we have a girl of 3 already. My partner is a bit fussy with food so hasnt had to give up much but i will take on board the clothes voucher AVOID. The bracelts if anyone has any good website links to get some from or necklases please feel free. I mainly cook anyway but am.never aloud near the washing machine so this may be tricky. I will be on paternty leave for two weeks so will do my part but also dont want to make her feel useless. Hmmm tricky. Any other ideas ladies?? please

OP posts:
jkklpu · 22/09/2013 22:11

A maxi-jar of nutella for the first week's breakfasts.

Lala29 · 22/09/2013 22:38

I would actually have loved clothes vouchers personally. I got a couple of baggy All Saints tops not long after giving birth (they tend to be quite floppy anyway) and felt so much better for it. The last thing I'd have wanted was a fluffy dressing gown. I wanted to finally look nice again after months of feeling fat. And often the only thing that made me feel human in the first few weeks / months was putting in makeup and dressing nicely.

A massage is a good idea. I found that for the first few months every part if my body ached for some reason. However, I'd have liked something I could keep and look at for years afterwards thinking, my husband got this for me.

By the way, DH = darling husband, DD is daughter and DS is son.

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