First great grandchild

Oofy

@Doodledog
A friend in Uni got engaged (and subsequently married) to a lovely chap, who came from a very posh background and had been given a “pipe” of port (no idea how much that is without googling it) laid down for him as a christening gift. Friend proceeded to drink her way through it as port and lemon.

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When we were first married I used half a bottle of my husband's fancy port in the Christmas gravy. It tasted great, but he wasn't impressed . . .

Once you know your GGC's name, how about some personalised tableware, maybe something like in this picture?

A personlised piggy bank is a good gift, sets them on the road to saving.
Or a handmade gift knitted blanket,crochet, quilt anything of that ilk.

I think the photography idea is perfect!

I like the idea of a gold sovereign with the year of your GGC's birth...
Or open a savings account (it would have to be in your name) and stash away a little bit each month for when the child is 18/21 etc. Update your Will, just in case...to make sure that the money goes where you intend it to if you don't make it to their birthday.
A nice piece of jewellery for when the child grows up (I had one half of a pair of pearl earrings reset onto a pendant fitting and put it onto a gold chain for when the child is older.)
Or invest in a really good watch for when they get older...
I know that modern young people don't wear wristwatches on a day-to-day basis, but it might be a lovely thing for a boy (or a girl) to wear on a graduation day or wedding day....

Things which are specifically "for the baby" will be grown out of so quickly, and toys etc likewise. I would go for the longer-term thinking.

Golfer my Grandma left each of her four granddaughters a gold sovereign.
I got a gold mount for mine and wear it on a chain - the last occasion on my Golden Wedding day.

The photo session or just a frame sounds lovely, there is always a really nice teddy - Harrods have bears with the year on their foot.
Is there anything that you have in your house that has been passed down that you can pass on or have a look on Etsy - there are some lovely things on there that are bound to be something special.

Lesley60. I have yet to be in your position as my eldest Granddaughter is only 14, but I bought my 4 Grandchildren a gold sovereign each. Something which may appreciate in value and they can 'cash in' later in life if in need of cash. The idea was started by my GreatGrandfather who gave a sovereign to my Father, his first Grandchild, who in turn passed it on to his first Grandchild (my Daughter).

@Doodledog
A friend in Uni got engaged (and subsequently married) to a lovely chap, who came from a very posh background and had been given a “pipe” of port (no idea how much that is without googling it) laid down for him as a christening gift. Friend proceeded to drink her way through it as port and lemon.

Congratulations!

How about a good old fashioned photo album?

Premium Bonds and a Teddy Bear!

I agree with bibbity.

Keepsakes, depending in the kind of parents they are, may be just clutter.

As for "For the 'four generations' photo with silver frame", it is very old fashioned and may mean more to the older generations than the new ones

Why not ask the parents?

SecondhandRose A brilliant idea. Those photo books are lovely.
Lesley60 If you contact your grandchild's MiL perhaps she can find some old photos, birth/marriage/death dates etc

I would buy a book that you can inscribe with a message - not necessarily a baby book but something they can grow into. Handmade blankets are lovely - but helpful to know the parents tastes, especially re colour.

A family history book or photos of your family who have passed away with details of who they were etc and some savings money.

I agree with the Port!

However, if you enjoy stitching, tapestry or cross-stich, lots of lovely samplers available in either. Jolly Red is particullarly good. I stitched just a 'nameplate' which sits across the middle of a cushion, with decorative border, no dates etc. but they can say 'Granny made me this' and keep it for ever, or till it wears out!

Or a 40 year/never ending calender?

I gave a teddy bear (which I haven’t seen since then). I know that my granddaughter doesn’t keep things, so the main present was premium bonds.

I’ve got to share this, though it is a little off track. My great granddaughter turned 2 yesterday and my granddaughter said what she would really, really like is a soft big toy duck. Well we combed the shops and couldn’t find one and just as we were getting in the car to go home I noticed a brand new huge one sitting outside the local Rotary shop. Apparently the previous owner just brought it in half an hour earlier because her kids were too old for it and had never really played with it. It is lovely. Right place at the right time.

My children had Steiff teddy bears. Although the children have now grown up the bears are still much loved by their children. Many many years of cuddles they are still very special.

I still have the copy of Winnie-the-Pooh that my grandmother, I think, bought me sometime long before I could read, It may have been a christening present, I don't know.

What I do know, is that Daddy read it to me when I was three and I remember looking at the pictures with him.

Later on I read the book for myself, or aloud to my own teddies.

I still fetch it down off the shelf when I am feeling blue and it always helps meeting all those old, loved friends.

Congratulations!

www.sarahhickey.co.uk if anyone’s interested.

Congratulations Lesley?

I’ve bought jewellery (silver bangles) for two great nieces as a baby arrival one-off gift - we don’t live close to them & we won’t be giving Christmas or birthday presents.

I reckoned that they would have loads of the usual baby stuff so I gave them something which could be given to them when they’re older & could enjoy in their grown-up lives.
I went to a local jeweller here in Northumberland who makes all her own pieces so I felt it was quite personal.

ixion

A nice silver photo frame?

For the 'four generations' photo

I agree with photoshoot. It would be a lovely keepsake. and a promise of a meal out with babysitting when they are ready. Congratulations!

What about a good quality teddy bear. We all have bears from our childhood and this could be something the child might keep for ever. Steiff and Harrods do special bears each year, a bit pricey but one with their birth year on would be nice.