Buying gifts for random babies

Yes I’ve done this with a girl I worked with. She became a gran and was so e cited it was just a little gift and I knitted a little blanket as well.

No probably not.

I buy a new baby gift for my friends new born grandchildren. I see my friend often (known her since we were 18) and know her children,

For someone as you describe, definitely not.

I was the first to become a grandmother amongst my friends and they didn’t give a gift for my DGD (nor was one expected) so I simply followed suit. That was 26 years ago so like everything else, times change.

I did once buy a gift for a baby I'd never meet and whose mother I didn't know. However, I knew the grandmother and was aware that this poor child was unexpected and unwanted. I wanted to somehow show that the the wee thing did matter and that I was sure the family would come around. They did of course. Babies bring their own charm.

I have a friend who recently did something similar. She is neighbours with the grandmother and has known her for less than a year, has never met the baby’s mother and spent quite a bit on a gift. I was totally nonplussed when she told me.

The last gift I bought for a random baby as the OP describes them was for my youngest daughter's best friend. I bought a neutral outfit as she did not know the baby's gender and a first cutlery set for when the baby was older.
After the baby shower my daughter asked if I had kept the receipt for the gifts I had bought. It seems there was a wish list for this baby and I had not bought an item from said list so my present was going back to the shop. Her second baby has just arrived and no, I haven't bothered with a present.

No I wouldn't, unless there was a known case of hardship or other factors.

No.

I wouldn't. I buy for my own DGC and the children of our two God sons. That means we are buying for eleven children. We also buy small gifts for our adult children and our siblings. Not for nieces and nephews though. That stopped at age 18. The trouble is where and when do you stop.

I would buy a small gift for the arrival of a friend's grandchild but not a Christmas present.

I bought a gift for my best friends grandbabies ....I see 2 of them .....the other 2 are in Australia....she bought a gift for my 3 GC ...we take our GC on camping hols each year.

Yes, I have.

Yes, I have bought new baby gifts for grandchildren of close friends from school or college, even if (in some cases) I’ve never even met their child. I always think babies bring joy and should be welcomed into the world. My mum was the same.

When my eldest was born 29 years ago a couple of my mum's friends who I didn't know sent hand knitted gifts. I was rather touched.

I haven't so far, it would depend how close `I was to friend and their family?

Also perhaps, how much it was needful? Ie a struggling family financially and something practical.

But not if the mum didnt know me at all. That seems bizarre.

A bit pathetic if you ask me, especially as you said you feel she is only buying the gift to get closer to this other woman.
If it was me I would buy nothing for her.

I knit baby blankets for my daughter’s friends’ babies. I buy the yarn, I love to knit baby things.
I wouldn’t buy a ready made gift though.

I was always very touched when Dad's patients sent lovely baby gifts when my children were born. I would never know these people. Some people are just kind and/or love babies and are happy to welcome them.

TBH not even for the grandchildren of my sisters unless I would actually see the baby or its parents. They are scattered to the four winds and some didn't acknowledge their wedding presents.

No, I wouldn't! I only by "baby gifts" when the baby is within the family of someone I am close to.

Well it would depend on circumstances but in general No.

I have bought little presents for newborn twins of an ex colleague’s dd. I see the ex colleague regularly, but have only rarely met the daughter, and then not for ages.

She was, however, sufficiently well brought up to send me a handwritten thank you note!

I think that people like buying baby things and perhaps want an excuse to buy them.

This wasn't a random baby, it was my sister's granddaughter.

I bought two baby dresses, and spent ages knitting a pram blanket with picot edging.

I also bought a pram toy and 3 babygros.

Not a word of thanks from the parents. I was so annoyed that I haven't bought any further gifts for the baby