Question - what was the best new baby present you received?

[OllieWollieWoo]

Sister and best friend are about to have babies (sister's second and BF's first). What was the best present you got when you had yours? Don't want to go along the cuddly toy/baby yearbook/silver cutlery lines (I got tons of those with my Ds's) and so far all I can think of is a collection (say 12) of good books to see them through baby and toddlerhood etc the tiger who came to tea/bear hunt/ etc etc. Great for BF but not so good for sister as she already has most of them from DS1!
Oh yes, I also got a great fleecey wrap which was great for the pram over winter - but have already given sister this to use! Any other ideas/suggestions to share???? Thanks

Well that was a rubbish attempt at crossing out!

My friend has promised me a casserole when Im home with the baby.
We have most stuff and she said 'i dont want to buy the usual stuff, how bout I cook you and dh a dinner and bring it over'

Bloody perfect IMHO, I cant imagine a more lovely present than either me not cooking or me not having to endure dh's cooking

home cooked food from some friends, a floating bath bed instead a baby bath from sil and my bf pillow! oh and a swing from my sis, thought it was a bit ott when she brought it home but it was great.

it was always food...

a pal stocked my freezer with yummy casseroles etc.

another brought round an m and s meal deal.

and the BEST ever was when some kind people had a side of hot-smoked salmon delivered to the door just as i was thinking 'what the HELL are we going to have for lunch?'

Yes I know totally impractical but I do like the photo idea- looks like someone sells them online already- link posted by ILoveTiffany.

Nice idea to put together a scrapbook of the date of baby's birth - what would people include in addition to the suggestions given already of newspaper headlines, no1 in the chart, famous birthdays.

Two baby presents that I absolutely SCOFFED at when we opened them and ended up absolutely LOVING:

A swaddling blanket (although it will forever be known as 'the baby straitjacket') it really settled him when he was tiny, getting him into it was his first bedtime routine. Grobags now have the same effect.

A 'Sleep Sheep'. A sheep. That makes noises. Including the noises of whales. How we laughed. Until it was the ONLY THING that would get our baby to sleep for about three weeks. He doesn't need it any more but I still take the Sheep's innards with us (you can remove noisy bit from sheep) when we sleep in strange places to settle him.

Green and Blacks is a great idea! Or a selection of really nice posh cereal bars for midnight snacks, that would be good too.

Clothes and food for us as no time to cook!!

Champagne was a lovely thought but couldn't drink it (which OH did) as not great when you are breast-feeding!!

the mumsnet book.... because as soon as i got broadband it made me seek out MN

[buttkiss emoticon]

homemade breastfeeding cake (very heavy and rich fruit cake which was perfect for those ravenous first weeks breastfeeding)
Homemade food delivered hot to the door
Hand knitted teddy bear
My brother came and cooked for us one night and I remember that gesture far more than many of the gifts we got given
a fruit basket

The best was a hamper on www.blacksheepgifts.co.uk all was sustainably sourced and something we hadn’t seen elsewhere. Have used for a few friends with great feedback.