Present for toddler "from" new baby - token or medium size?

[BertieBotts]

Almost 3yo has picked out a dummy for the baby and will wrap it up and save it for when the baby gets home.

Did you do a present for your toddler from the new baby? And if so was it just something token and cheap like some sweets/a little car? Or something bigger to distract/entertain them a bit longer? I have my eye on an articulated bus toy DS has been wanting for some time, but I don't want to overdo it at the same time.

It is very close to DS's birthday as well so he won't be short of new presents/activities but I am a bit torn about how to approach this one.

Yes - did it with my toddler DD and newborn DS. I found it really helped with their bonding. I still remember DD’s face of wonderment at receiving a present from DS for being such a good big sister!

We did a medium sized present for our ds aged 3, from us and from his new little brother. We wanted to signal for him that this was a special day for him, and we didn't hide the fact that it might have its downsides. He might need to help us a bit. The baby might wake him up sometimes. The baby would need looking after for a while. A toy boat and some pirates kept him busy for those early months. My parents also bought him a fluffy dog which he brought to the hospital to see the baby.

Incidentally, it was probably the best day in his life. He still has very positive memories. We didn't tell him that the baby was here, we told him that he had "become a big brother". It is a role he was - and still is - very proud off, and has loved (most of the time) looking after his sibling who is now 6'3" and taller than him. (And he still loves the fluffy dog too!)

Our new baby 'chose' a toy car for her big brother. He used to collect the Disney car cars and this was one that he was desperate for but we just couldn't find...
I can still remember his face! "How did she know!"
Something small but priceless to him!

I didn't give DD1 (2 and a half at the time) a gift when DD2 was born, though someone bought her a book called 'I'm a Big Sister' which was lovely. She also spent the day with my MIL and SIL while baby was being born and made a picture for her new little sister which was very sweet!

I do think I'll get a small something for DD1 and DD2 when their newest sister is born in a couple of months though, the eldest is 4 and the younger one will be 20ish months by then. I was thinking maybe special matching teddies for all three girls.

I spent about a fiver on a gift for the baby to give the older child.

The baby bought DS1 a football and Thomas Tank engine toy 2 1/2 years difference).
DS1 got the baby a silky.
Go with whatever a desirable gift you think the older child would appreciate. Doesn’t have to be big though!

Aah great thanks all for the ideas and stories :)

@RosieBdy

Our new baby 'chose' a toy car for her big brother. He used to collect the Disney car cars and this was one that he was desperate for but we just couldn't find... I can still remember his face! "How did she know!" Something small but priceless to him!

Oh this is lovely! OP, I still remember the toy that my newborn brother got me when I was born and I'm in my late thirties.

I always think a doll is a good present for this. So the sibling can play dolly while you're busy with the baby. They can copy you and be included a bit that way.

When I was born I got my sister an Alf cuddly toy. When dd2 was born she got her big sister one of those horrible realistic looking sleeping cats that she had been coveting. It was expensive at £20 and in hindsight a nice cuddly toy would have been better.

We asked DS1 what he would like to give his baby sister as a present and mentioned some ideas but he had his own idea which was 'a kitkat'.
MIL had asked him if he was looking forward to having a baby sister and his reply was he would rather have a kitkat.

When DS2 was born he wanted to give him 'a wand' and DD wanted to give him 'a snake'.

I spotted a Disney Vtech camera at a reduced price, and managed to buy it without my DD seeing it. She loved the gift her baby brother ‘gave’ her when he was born, and she enjoyed taking lots of photos of him/us/the ceiling .

I got a few presents from baby to give to my DS. He was 22 months at the time so not sure he quite ‘got it’ but he was certainly v pleased. I
They were not hugely expensive but large! A little tikes car transporter and a Thomas the tank engine mega blocks set. My mum also bought him a wooden crane set. Tbh it was quite nice for him to have something new to play with so he was a bit distracted when there was lots of fuss around baby DD!

We already got him a doll a couple of months ago, it was what really kickstarted his interest in the pregnancy/baby brother thing.

Our DD (4) got a box with a few bits in when DD2 was born. I tried to do a mix of things to keep her busy, things that she would like and a couple of special 'big girl' things.
A cuddly toy
A big sister bracelet
A couple of new books
A sticker book
A bottle of perfume (£2 Primark rose one that I now regularly pinch)
Some sweets
I spent about £12 altogether.

That's such a lovely thing to do. When my sister was born, I was 10, my mum told me that since I was now a big sister and had responsibilities, I was old enough to have my ears pierced. I think it doesn't have to be a big showy gift, just something meaningful - I always think of my sister now when I change earrings, more than 30 years later

(Incidentally when my DS was born, I took my sister to get her ears pierced because she was now an auntie)

Medium size here - brought something we'd had our eye on for a while. DH took DC1 to pick a cuddly toy for DC2.

DS2 gave DS1 a new wooden train. Token sized but added benefit of something he’s playing with as trains are life.

Apparently, back in the day, I bought my older brother a transformer when I was born 😆

I spent about £15 on a present from newborn DS to DD and that seemed about right.

@VienneseWhirligig

That's such a lovely thing to do. When my sister was born, I was 10, my mum told me that since I was now a big sister and had responsibilities, I was old enough to have my ears pierced. I think it doesn't have to be a big showy gift, just something meaningful - I always think of my sister now when I change earrings, more than 30 years later

(Incidentally when my DS was born, I took my sister to get her ears pierced because she was now an auntie)

I love this! My firstborn was only a little over a year himself when DD was born so although he did get gifts, he was too young to understand and they weren’t meaningful like this.

I think it should be small because the baby is small and how can a baby hold a big toy / treat?

I'm going to be 55 this year, I brought a dinky toy car with me.

Token.

I’m due DC3 in a few weeks and was thinking of buying scooters for DS1 (5) and DS2 (3) That way Daddy can take them out for a scoot when I’m stuck to the sofa under the new baby.

I'd get something nice that will keep him occupied, from both of you and the baby.

It's going to be a big adjustment for him and if you can afford it there's nothing wrong with getting him a Big Brother treat.

When DD1 (2) met DD2 for the first time DD2 was in her Moses basket on top of a mini trampoline.

When I (5) met my DSis she 'bought' me an interactive doll.