Maternity gift - second baby? What would you have wanted?

[firefly]

A friend is having a second baby (boy) and we have organised a maternity collection. The trouble is, she already has one boy, all the clothes/essentials etc so we are a bit stuck at what to get her! Second time parents - what would have been really useful to you/ necessary/ wonderful extravagance when you had your second? Budget is around £300.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

How old is her 1st?

@stairgates 4 x

Delivery of Cook meals.

That's a massive amount of money. I would actually ask her what she wants or what shop she uses for baby stuff and possibly just get her a gift card. I think at that amount you are talking big ticket items and she will likely want to choose those herself. A gift card and a nice card signed by everyone is lovely though, maybe a few nice things for herself - hamper with coffee, tea, biscuits, hand creams, bath soak, etc.

I'd probably just do a few token bits for the baby (pack of Muslins, baby gros, maybe bath stuff), some things for her (nice toiletries, coffee shop voucher, biscuits, bottle of wine) and then give the rest as vouchers or cash. If you know of any classes she might want to do with baby you could get a gift voucher for that - I'd love a term of baby sensory or baby yoga, that nonsense is expensive!

I agree with the food delivery vouchers, Cook or similar.

Maybe an heirloom gift for the baby, a special teddy or something like a Memino Suitcase.

Something luxurious for Mum, lovely loungewear set or silk pjs. Or piece of jewellery - locket with space for pic of both children.

I would definitely recommend something like this meliandro.com/products/activity-packs-for-kids-3-6?variant=32119434477647&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjwit_8BRCoARIsAIx3Rj68nxJ4q_g9AXc0FWXNUNDASneLMibU75D8NJt4I25f0f9wahxknCUaAnUcEALw_wcB
for the older child to keep them entertained when feeding newborn.

Honestly? I would have loved something nice for myself. I had two DC in two years and felt very much like I was forgotten about until my youngest was three.

Wine
Cook vouchers
Bath stuff
Nice dressing gown

Gift voucher to a department store like John Lewis. Or a totally luxurious spa day - might be be used til after baby is weaned but something to look forward to

Seconding the gift vouchers or certificate for classes like baby sensory etc - This is what I wish people would give so you can choose special bits instead of having them chosen for you.

Gift vouchers for John Lewis/Waitrose, covers food, baby items, Mum treat items and nursery things for baby.

Voucher for postnatal massage (preferably someone who will come to your home), definitely the best present I received.

Cook vouchers should go down well, I was also very grateful for nice food (even less time to cook with a toddler as well as a newborn!)

Apart from that, it's boring but Amazon or John Lewis vouchers. The things we ended up needing for DC2 have been pretty specific (eg we had to replace the bath thermometer).

We didn't swaddle DC1 but have been using a Love To Dream swaddle with DC2 which has been good. They might not want to use one though.

"If you know of any classes she might want to do with baby you could get a gift voucher for that - I'd love a term of baby sensory or baby yoga, that nonsense is expensive!"

You do realise most things are not running due to covid?! Not F2F anyway, they're just shitty Zoom classes

The best gift we got when we had baby no 2 was a big parcel of "cook" meals.

Thanks very much everyone! Sounds like cook vouchers will be a big hit so will definitely budget something for those, John Lewis or perhaps White Company for other vouchers? That way she can choose for herself or the baby. Classes are a brilliant idea - I'll take a look and see if there are any that do both toddler and baby. Posters who wanted something for themselves- what would have been best? I'm thinking pjs quite personal taste so maybe champagne and slippers?!

@blackkittykat love this! Might buy for my daughter!

@lobsteroll. Immediately googles suitcase. Dangerous road for myself here! Beautiful

I'd be careful about vouchers for classes, with my second I never went to any classes because I'd have had to take my older child along, or any time that she was busy-nursery/grandparents, I just wanted to rest with the baby. I definitely wouldn't have wanted to feel like I had to get dressed and go out to classes then too! But vouchers in general is a good idea.

I agree about classes, it's really personal, some people don't like them (I have mixed feelings!) and if you do go to a class it's better to be able to choose yourself to make sure it's a convenient day/time. Plus there are very few running atm as I said.

Soon to be second time Mum here! I've never heard of Cook but I would be so made up with a load of free food from there, excellent idea. For the vouchers I would prefer Amazon. White Company is expensive and there's nothing I would want there, John Lewis is better but Amazon really has everything and has different items at various price points so you could make £300 go much further. Since you have so much money to spend I would be inclined to ask her what she is planning to buy this time, if anything. There may well be some item she didnt bother with last time that she plans to get. For me it's a side sleeper cot, so I would be well happy if my collection would cover that!

PS I would definitely NOT want classes that would mean I would have to go and sit in a room full of people with my new born baby in the middle of a pandemic. Likewise I would be pretty miffed about a massage, I don't want to lie in a room listening to pan pipes while a stranger rubs me. That money would go to waste.

I'm in a very similar position to your giftee.

I have DS 4 and expecting DD soon

Things I would love:
Cook vouchers
JL vouchers
Cute sleep suit for baby
Nice bubble bar for me

"I don't want to lie in a room listening to pan pipes while a stranger rubs me."

😂

Just go to show we're all different, I can give or take the pan pipes but I love a massage! You ache everywhere when you've given birth and you're trying to establish breastfeeding.

@NameChange30

We're in tier 3 and every paid for baby and toddler class locally is back on (and fully booked!) since September. None of the cheap playgroups though - guess it depends on area.