generous people - nice ways to thank them...

[Samraves]

I have been really overwhelmed by the generosity of some people; got given a pram and two massive bags of clothes by someone who is a friend of my partner and his wife. They said they didn't want any money, just a bottle of wine - which we took round. They were so lovely, and we couldn't believe the amount of stuff they gave us - nice stuff too. I was thinking about getting his wife a thank you card and a book (as during the conversation we talked about reading which is a passion of hers). Feels a little inadequate, but so overwhelmed and don't just want to leave it, what do you think?

Also some other people have given us stuff, not to the same extent but a big bag of clothes etc, I just wondered if I should just be accepting with a smile or whether to be sending thank you cards etc.... I don't want to be rude, but even just going out is a mission for me, and I would have to get a stack of cards! or other presents... Has anyone got any lovely ideas which are thoughtful, but easy to sort without going on a shopping trip?

I think thankyou cards would be appreciated - get your other half to pick some up (and stamps!) and then post them if you need to. After the baby is born then maybe a photo of him/her using the things that people gave, although that would take a lot of organising!

i think just to say thank you and genuinely mean it would be all people would like.

We're going to send cards we've had printed with photos of our DD - she's now five weeks old so we've not fine it massively quickly but I think it will still be a nice way to thank people. We get our cards from Moo.com - you can upload your own photo(s) easily - but there are other places that will do the same sort of thing of course.

I think a nice thank you letter would me much appreciated. It'ud probably be the lowest effort thing for you to do, and lovely to receive instead of the run-of-the-mill stuff or bills the postman usually brings.

And later you can show another form of gratitde by letting them see the things in use again, and double their generosity by passing it on again when you no longer have need of the items (assuming any survive use by more children!)

Thanks, I think I will get some cards in for a couple of people now, and once Emily is born, I will get some personalised ones online :)

I handknit stuff for my pregnant friends (although I'm doing it for myself now!) and people often send me a picture of their baby in the cardi/bootees I've sent or, when I meet baby for the first time he/she is wearing the relevant item.

I'm touched when people do this because I never expect them to and it's just the cherry on the cake :)

I send little £5 thank you chocs from doudough.com

wait till the wee one's born, then get something special for them (doesnt need to be expensive), eg a mug with the baby's photo on it, or go to a ceramic cafe (theyre all over the place now) and get a coaster with her handprint on it. Both very very thoughtful, but not going overboard.

It's usually just enough for the generous parties to see the item(s) being used. I was given loads of hand-me-downs by a friend of a friend (who's admittedly a bit loopy), and she burst into tears of joy when I bumped into her in town and our DS was wearing her DS's old trousers! But I agree that a thank-you letter/card is always appreciated.

that was meant to say doughdough.com

I think a nice thank you card with an honest message of thanks is just SO nice and thoughtful. They're probably just happy to see their old stuff being used and appreciated.