Present for a new baby

I buy a token gift for the baby (like a rattle) and something lovely for the mum - although nothing scented, obviously.

I buy a book that can be read parent/child together when baby is old enough to perch on adult's knee. Why? Because no-one does!

Ewan the Dream sheep, the new one.
Brilliant bit of Baby kit

Oh dear ?

The "baby" in the OP will be a 2-year-old toddler by now.

I usually go down the personalised route and buy them a nice photo frame, personalised with baby's name and date of birth. You can get really nice ones at surprisingly good prices on Etsy.

I always buy a book. I love The Singing Mermaid by Julia Donaldson. I also buy Alice or Wind in the Willows.

I usually buy an outfit in 6-9 months size taking into account the season they will reach that age.
I do think the night light idea is a good one, my GDs loved them especially the ones that projected light show on to the ceiling.

I would buy a Shaun the sheep night light. I buy these as gifts for new mothers in my family, they help soothe babies to sleep, the warm pink/red colour reminds them of the womb and then continue to be a favourite friend as they grow older. www.amazon.co.uk/SweetDreamers-Ewan-Deluxe-Washable-Soother/dp/B07FFW4R9F/ref=asc_df_B07FFW4R9F/?hvlocphy=9045913&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=255515198583&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=gransnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-531386792101&hvrand=6096659572669817211

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

I buy a selection of Shirley Hughes books, usually the Alfie ones!

Don’t get soft toys or teddys. They always have one favourite and the rest are left to get dusty on the shelves. Maybe be some first teething or pram toys or a nice wooden toy that will last. I usually make a cot quilt or knit something.

FOOD is the best gift in my experience.
Things that need no prep and can go straight in the oven/on the table.
Also, especially if intending to breastfeed, healthy snacks that can be popped into the mouth one-handed.
Maybe a food delivery voucher (do “Cook” do these?)...

I could have wept with relief when people brought me ready prepared meals all those years ago. I can remember the meal from one friend I haven’t seen or heard from for 30 plus years - just because it felt like a life-saver!
My good friend’s daughter was genuinely delighted when we gifted dinners recently.

Books are lovely though if you are concerned about something to keep.

Nosefrida. A life saver when baby has a cold

I've bought trees for my grand-children and several others.

They are planted in a permanent re-foresting area by an agency and the child gets a certificate and can go visit later if it wishes.
For a little extra, a plaque can be placed near the tree with the child, or adult's name.

I prefer this to something which will be outgrown or thrown away.

Perhaps an outfit for a 6 - 12 month old child. People give you such a lot of presents when you first have a baby but the baby grows and you end up with a 6 month old child with few clothes.

If you enclose a gift receipt, they can change it without embarrassment. Your taste may not be their taste.

What wonderful ideas, thank you all so much!!

How about a nice pram-size blanket?
Another option is a dish set with bowl and double handled cup. Royal Doulton Bunnykins come to mind.

My daughter has just donated a mound of clothes her son never got up wear so I wouldn’t get clothes. She got some post natal bath products at her baby shower and thought it was lovely to get something for her too.

I once bought another English teacher friend a lovely book of children's Shakespeare stories as a newborn gift. She loved it!

I second the idea of books. My 2 daughters both had babies in the last couple of years and got so many presents of clothes that we could have opened a shop! Both of them had a few friends who gave some lovely books, which I realised were an excellent idea.

www.amazon.co.uk/Bright-Bots-Unisex-Muslin-Squares/dp/B01GCJTHJC?tag=gransnetforum-21

Teether. Autospell!

Ours all loved sophie the giraffe feather, comes in several sizes.

Can be nice to get older size clothes. Someone gave me a lovely book set of Peter Rabbit. But to be honest my favourite gifts were babygros! You can never have too many!