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Present for my first grandchild?

(114 Posts)
ellie22 Wed 06-Jan-21 20:11:48

My first grandchild is due at the beginning of April. We were going to offer to put towards a pushchair (goodness they are a price now!) or a cot but daughter and husband have bought both...they saved up for the pushchair and bought a fab cot second hand....she has bought quite a bit of stuff to be honest as is very organised. Relatives have bought a bouncy chair so can't buy that but would like to buy the first teddy for the baby (and have asked daughter who is all in favour)
Obviously that is not ALL we will buy...but I am very at sea these days with what is useful/good to buy for babies. I have bought bits ...book, clothes etc although holding off on that as don't want to buy too much too soon nor do we, or they, know what sex the baby is.
So...any suggestions on good (cuddly and probably washable ) teddies. Or indeed anything you bought for your first grandchild. Obviously I did think perhaps cot/pram bedding although mum in law has made some lovely blankets (not my skill!)
It's been a ray of light in these dark times to be honest...new life and all that

Witzend Tue 15-Feb-22 18:22:00

Jellycat soft toys are very soft and cuddly. A Gdd adored her Jellycat dog.
Re Steiff, the button in ear thing always put me off - can you remove them? Otherwise I think it’d drive me nuts.

For a traditional type teddy I agree with a pp that Merrythought are lovely. A dd had a little Merrythought ted at one day old - Baby Bear went everywhere with her, into her 20s, even on a very hairy trip by horse in Siberia.

Grandnana Tue 15-Feb-22 09:01:14

Grannynannywanny

My grandchildren all loved these cuddly comforters when they were babies. They snuggled with them at bedtime. If they become very attached to them, as my 4 did, they need at least 2 to allow for one being in the wash. They are very easily machine washable. There are lots of brands and varieties. If you google baby comforters you’ll see them.

100% get a couple of these. Maybe something a bit simpler with just the head on the corner (not as gross as it sounds!) because he/she might well keep them for years.
My grandchildren still take theirs to bed and their ages are 6, 9 and 11 YEARS not months!! ???

Kalu Mon 14-Feb-22 14:03:26

Just read my post - GPS didn’t deliver me! ?

Kalu Mon 14-Feb-22 14:01:00

Steif bears for both GDs.
My own Steif bear arrived at the hospital when I was born courtesy of maternal GPS. He will be 72 on Friday.

GD1 received a box set of Beatrix Potter - The Complete Tales for her first birthday from her aunt, DD2 who along with her sister, loved BP’s books, unfortunately, GD1 preferred Winnie the Pooh.

Greyduster Mon 14-Feb-22 12:58:05

I remember the day after my GS was born, DD asked if we would pop into Mothercare on the way to the hospital to get a couple of things she needed, and just before we got to the checkout DH picked up, on impulse, a small soft floppy teddy. He has been GS’s companion from that day, and even now, at fifteen, when other soft toys have been consigned to storage, Duncan is still on his bed (admittedly shoved under the covers of his friends are around!). I agree with those who say a savings account of some kind if you can get a reasonable rate of interest.

Daisydaisydaisy Mon 14-Feb-22 12:35:58

*:wasnt a cuddly bear

Daisydaisydaisy Mon 14-Feb-22 12:35:23

Hi there.
I bought My Granddaughter a Steiff Teddybear but Merrythought are nice too..Admittedly it was a cuddly bear but a Tradional bear...They can be very expensive but the one I purchased was around £80 odd pounds I think...have a look at John Lewis.
I felt that it was something that would last forever....smile

Nannashirlz Wed 19-Jan-22 11:00:04

Hi with all my grandkids I’ve bought them a steiff year bear so you could actually buy it now. Steiff is a bear that gains value in years but mine have played with them too. It’s a nice keep sake also I got them a personality things from www.myfirstyears.com check out the web site as you can see my last one. Daughter inlaws put them in box for when adults. But I tend to ask if anything they need. I’ve got baby alarms to play mats lol just remember it’s not a competition who buys the most or the most expensive. Don’t feel pressure to go passed your means. and baby won’t noticed no different but that’s what I got my last granddaughter born our lockdown baby as she will be known as.

judew99 Tue 18-Jan-22 11:17:49

We got bought our daughter a gift basket like this one -

www.thats-mine.co.uk/product/personalised-white-and-grey-baby-gift-basket-with-grey-bunny-soft-toy/

It had the essentials in - muslins, blanket, bathrobe and a toy, embroidered with my grandsons name which was a lovely personal touch and was really well received

Mistyfluff8 Mon 18-Jan-21 16:43:46

I also ended up getting loads of nappies Disposable (her choice)and water wipes (her choice)although cotton wool and water if used Peter Rabbit is lovely to cuddle

rubysong Thu 14-Jan-21 22:01:09

I agree with Thistlelass a Jumperoo is great. (You need to know the sound can be turned off when it starts to drive you mad.)

Thistlelass Thu 14-Jan-21 19:37:29

I would by a jumperoo! It wont be too long until the wee one is having a ball in it!

ss1024 Sat 09-Jan-21 12:30:03

I got my first grandson a changing table that can be turned into a dresser later on by simply taking off the top. I also got a high chair that attaches to the table for use at my home. My DS & DIL love it because he is part of the gathering around the table.

Froglady Sat 09-Jan-21 09:00:44

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.

Newquay Fri 08-Jan-21 23:09:47

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!

NannyC1 Fri 08-Jan-21 20:10:11

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.

Bennydian Fri 08-Jan-21 11:35:13

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.

Magrithea Fri 08-Jan-21 09:31:24

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

Callistemon Thu 07-Jan-21 23:13:35

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!

Happysexagenarian Thu 07-Jan-21 22:16:32

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.

susieq3 Thu 07-Jan-21 21:02:21

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.

Witzend Thu 07-Jan-21 19:29:38

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.

Visgir1 Thu 07-Jan-21 18:36:06

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

Priviliged Thu 07-Jan-21 18:34:35

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!

Jennyluck Thu 07-Jan-21 17:39:51

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.