Present for my first grandchild?

Don’t know if it’s already been mentioned.....but get her an ‘ Ollie the Owl’. It is a sleep aid from newborn upwards, and my daughter has found it an absolute blessing, to the point that, when they moved into their new house, and saw two of the neighbours were pregnant, although she didn’t know them...she bought one for each of them! It actually turned out one of the girls had been at her school, not a direct friend, but peripheral. She hadn’t recognised her from across the road. Anyway, they’re about £30 I think, and my daughter wouldn’t be without hers. All major shops sell them I think. Argos is where she got hers. Congratulations, and I hope you’ll be able to see the baby when the time comes?

Also , meant to say, there are monitors and cameras etc you can get now for peace of mind. Sorry if I’ve repeated.

What about windchimes? My own children loved them when they were babies?

Baby slings, very expensive but very useful.

I found that the small toys and practical household items were great but when it came to buying the larger items later on we were short of cash. I was so grateful that my Dad (ever the sensible one) regularly put some money into a "dip-in fund" for these expenses. We were able to get paddling pools, outdoor play equipment, hamster worlds and later on bicycles, laptops and mobile phones. It was really was the gift that kept on giving. I often wonder if buying for GC is just an excuse to shop and spend for yourself rather than for them. By all means get a few fun items, ask first of they want or need it, then satisfy your giving urge and set up a bank account or ISA. My sons (in their thirties) still point to their monster-sized climbing frame in the family album and say "thanks Grandpa!"

Firstly Congratulations! My first Granddaughter was born in June, she is an absolute joy We did contribute to the pram/car seat/speed boat combo! that seems all the rage now at the request of my son and dil. Luckily they got it half price as it was last year's colour! (Yes, that is a thing!) When it came to Christmas we bought (online) the Harrods Christmas Bear, they do one every year, each is different and has the year embroidered on it's paw, they are not outrageous in price (£25) and really nice quality, more of a keepsake and they are collectible. Like others have suggested money for a saving account is a good idea as is something else practical a bath seat or high chair, it won't be long before they need both.

We bought a lovely Steiff bear think it was called my first Steiff. You can buy them in a neutral colour. Also gave them some premium bonds.

I just asked the parents and they requested a baby monitor. I've another in the offing and have asked the parents to think what they would like. Interest rates are so ridiculously low that I would plump for premium bonds if no specific request is forthcoming. I find just small injections of basic needs at intervals along the way are equally pleasurable for them and me. I see a need and meet it if I can. SO lovely being a GP.

For both my sons and their wives on the birth of the first grandchild I bought them tumble dryers. All have said it is the most used and useful thing they had for babies and young children. Several of my friends have done the same for their grandchildren with good feedback.

I bought a 23cm Steiff bear for one of my grandsons, quite soft and pliable, not one of those with stiff arms and legs. He seemed to like it.

One of the loveliest gifts I've heard of is paying for a photographer to do photos of the new family.

I agree with those who advise against cuddly toys--they multiply like rabbits and can become a real nuisance!

Toots, thanks for that information and picture. think i might buy one for myself, i have difficulty sleeping.
OP, i think these kind of useful things are a good idea, and/or premium bonds/ money fund/ tumble dryer.
teddies etc get thrown around/out or ignored, they get so many, and will not know who gave what.
ask the parents. good luck.

Such exciting news - many congratulations, you’ll have such fun. We have 6 grandchildren between us, 4 girls and 2 boys, ranging from 18 to 5. I know they often have lots of cuddly toys, but yours will probably be the first, so I’d say go ahead. The Ewen the sheep looks lovely, also the Fisher-Price Soothe ‘n Snuggle Otter. Along with this I would suggest a monetary gift - Premium Bonds, ISA, regular payments to a bank account. During the early years, apart from the usual practical things, we’ve bought each of them a chair, personalised with their name and nursery characters. Also, I have an artist friend, so they each had a canvas painting with appropriate book characters. Enjoy yourself!

Witzend, Callistemon. This is ‘John’, who is aged 69 years old, bought for me by my Nan when I was 4. He had a visit to the teddy hospital a few years ago!

Congratulations on your first grandchild. You must be so excited.
My suggestion is a sleepy head, not cheap though, they are about £130. They are like a pod that fits into cots, next to me cradles and any other things babies sleep in.
My grandson slept so well in his.

I agree with Grannynannywanny, my first grandchild loved one of those rabbits with an attached comforter and still likes it (secretly) at 7! I knitted all 4 of my grandchildren a teddy so it's quite different from others they might get. Things like a copy of the lovely book 'Guess how much I love you' - you can get special editions that can be kept for life and the words say it all. Enjoy every moment!

Baby car seats are expensive as you need a Iso fix with them. See if they need one, or a gift voucher from John Lewis is always welcome. Had x2 new Grandchildren Oct and Nov 20 and both DD and DIL happy to have.
Teddy bear see if you can buy bespoke? Good luck

I’ve given books to new babies - they get so many clothes and soft toys, it’s nice to give something for when they’re a little bit bigger - it comes soon enough.

The cloth Animal Tails book by Jellycat are brilliant for babies even at 6 months or so - all my Gdcs have enjoyed them - and the board books Peepo! and Each Peach Pear Plum are invariably popular, and are IMO classics now.

Something made by yourself would be nice. I made a quilted changing mat with bag to match to carry all you need when changing. A steiff bear is lovely, but I think could easily be ruined by mucky little fingers.

Congratulations, an exciting time for you!
I haven't read every reply here but a few things sprang to mind:
A car seat, unless it's part of their buggy system
A baby monitor
A steriliser if Mum is bottle feeding
Stair gates or door gates, they won't be needed for a while yet but can be quite expensive when your little one suddenly becomes mobile overnight!
In a less practical vein, how about a family tree book with a chart and some details about each relation and photos. You can go as far back into the generations as you choose and you grandchild will grow up with a connection to other or older family members that he may not have otherwise.
Or a boxed set of childrens books.
Or a savings account to encourage good money habits.

A steiff bear is lovely, but I think could easily be ruined by mucky little fingers.

I think you'd have to buy an ordinary, cuddly teddy bear too!

If your DD is planning to use a sling check if there's a sling library in her area that she can borrow various styles from then buy the one she likes.

My DD favoured a stretchy wrap around type to begin with then one that she was able to use right up until DGS was 3! It was expensive but worth it and they are popular on reselling sites

The best "Gift" my daughter received was a Bank Account from both sets of her grandparents with a small cash amount in it to start and a commitment to add £'s per month until she is grown up to get something she needed. As we do not live close to her Grandparents they also added to the account for birthdays and Christmas. Over the years this account has become quite sizeable and has given her the deposit for her home. Which she refers to as the "Grandies". Through the years she did not go without toys or other paraphernalia and has something that reminds her everyday that her Grandparents love her. Sadly we have lost two of her Grandparents and they have plants in her garden dedicated to them included a very prickly rose (just like nanna on occasions). I know it seems quite mercenary but with flats and houses so expensive and children finding it hard to get on the property ladder we are so glad our parents thought about our daughters future.

On Amazon you can set up weekly/monthly delivery of nappies and Water wipes. These will always be needed. Also cot protectors. Ok these aren't things your GC can keep but at least you know they're being used.

Premium bonds are not easy to buy for GC-it needs the parents to complete forms, within a time limit.
Now savings account brilliant idea-our elder two DGD are using theirs, now in a Help to Buy account since they were 18 to jointly buy a house soon.
Our younger DGD received a Eeyore which she loved. On my advice DD bought two more. On holiday last year she took it out with her on a boat (why? For goodness sake?) it fell overboard-she was 6-and is still traumatized when she talks about it!

Newquay

Premium bonds are not easy to buy for GC-it needs the parents to complete forms, within a time limit.
Now savings account brilliant idea-our elder two DGD are using theirs, now in a Help to Buy account since they were 18 to jointly buy a house soon.
Our younger DGD received a Eeyore which she loved. On my advice DD bought two more. On holiday last year she took it out with her on a boat (why? For goodness sake?) it fell overboard-she was 6-and is still traumatized when she talks about it!

As far as I am aware grandparents can buy premium bonds for their grandchildren; they can actually buy them online as well as by post. The rules were changed in October 2018 and say that anybody can buy premium bonds for children - the parents retain control of the bonds until the children are over 16. When I went to buy bonds for my great nieces and great nephews I had to send the money to their parents for them to buy them as the rules hadn't been changed then.