Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

What should I take ?

(34 Posts)
Lizzle10 Wed 12-Feb-20 10:56:49

My first grandchild was born on Monday smile and my son and his girlfriend have invited me to stay with them this weekend. I have already bought the car seat , clothes and Moses basket and they have so much stuff they have gone mad buying bless them . I don’t know whether I should turn up with a present for the baby or buy them something as a new parent gift and what do you buy ? It’s no good cooking a meal and taking it I have a 3 hour journey and I don’t think they would appreciate it really . Any suggestion please x

Bellanonna Wed 12-Feb-20 11:00:14

Nothing else for the baby. Maybe a bottle of champagne or prosecco? And many congratulations. How lovely that they have invited you to stay.

Oopsadaisy3 Wed 12-Feb-20 11:00:33

Something nice for your DIL, would be a very nice gift.

Greyduster Wed 12-Feb-20 11:06:50

I agree, something for your DiL. You will spend the next umpteen years showering your grandchild with gifts, believe me! I remember when my last child was born, a neighbour I didn’t know particularly well brought a gift for her, and a box of gorgeous Roger and Gallet sandalwood soaps for me. She said people tend to forget all the hard work that goes into a birth once the baby is home! I was very touched. Many congratulations to you and your family.

rosenoir Wed 12-Feb-20 11:18:07

My daughter is 43 , I received many gifts for baby but the only gift I remember from when she was born was from an uncle, it was a lovely set of bath products for me.

M0nica Wed 12-Feb-20 11:21:48

Yes, DDiL really appreciated having a box of her favourite lavender scented Occitane bath products after DGD's birth.

vampirequeen Wed 12-Feb-20 11:22:34

Definitely a gift for the parents esp. mam. My aunt bought me a lovely bunch of flowers rather than a gift for the baby because she said I was the one who'd done all the hard work and deserved a reward grin

Kittye Wed 12-Feb-20 11:22:58

Yes definitely something for your DIL. I think the suggestion of bath products is a lovely idea. We all love to be pampered?

JuliaM Wed 12-Feb-20 11:30:44

Maybe pamper them whilst you are there by ordering in a takeaway meal of their favourite foods, let them decide what they fancy at the time, and you pay for it on arrival, I’m sure that they would appreciate it.
A nice cake or some Luxury biscuits as a celebration, along with a bottle of Champagne, or speciality Teas and Coffees, plus some pretty flowers may be welcome too, but your most useful gift would be your offer of help with the day to day household chores, or running errands, a bit of shopping or even answering the door whilst the new Mum rests with her baby may be welcome, but best to ask first. Be careful regards buying toiletries as a gift however, l once did that as a wedding gift along with some very nice towels for a girl l worked with, and she was offended by it, saying ‘ are you trying to say we both smell?
Congratulations on becoming a Grandma, enjoy!

SueDonim Wed 12-Feb-20 12:34:22

Congratulations to the new family!

Some good hand cream might be welcome. New babies seem to involve a lot of hand washing and the skin can get so dry.

timetogo2016 Wed 12-Feb-20 12:47:02

Ooopsadaisy3- that`s a great idea.

J52 Wed 12-Feb-20 13:11:59

I bought my DILS their favourite perfume, for use on those days when baby smell never leaves you.
And a packet of jelly babies as an energy boost!

Lizzle10 Wed 12-Feb-20 13:14:02

Thank you very much ladies , I shall ask my son what nice bath stuff she likes , she’s not a girlie girl she’s quiet difficult to buy for and she’s not a chocolate and flowers kind of girl either . Lovely idea to buy a take away and do the shopping or some chores . Aww I can’t wait to see him and have my first snuggle

ElaineI Wed 12-Feb-20 13:27:48

Maybe take some non perishable foods from M&S or somewhere else as well as the bath stuff. Takeaway is a great idea. Enjoy x

Nannarose Wed 12-Feb-20 13:34:25

Snack foods that will travel well.
Nice bath stuff, but not heavily scented (babies can be sensitive to mum's scent)
Good hand cream for both mum and dad.
Muslins - you can never have enough!

janeainsworth Wed 12-Feb-20 13:38:10

Congratulations Lizzle flowers
I’m sure your DS & DiL will really appreciate your help.

As well as a gift for DiL, they might like something from Hello Fresh www.hellofresh.co.uk/ after you go home.

They deliver the raw ingredients for meals & it’s minimum effort to put them together.
I was introduced to it by my DD & SiL who find it very good.

V3ra Wed 12-Feb-20 13:49:04

We bought the pram/pushchair and car seat they'd decided they wanted beforehand, then amongst other things I always used to take a few packs of nappies whenever I visited my daughter, her partner and my baby granddaughter (check what make and size first though).
They had loads of more glamorous presents but nappies are expensive and will always get used!
If you do some shopping for them I'd suggest stocking up with plenty of whatever laundry detergents they use as well!
Huge congratulations to you all x

GrannyLaine Wed 12-Feb-20 14:23:01

Many congratulations Lizzie10 You sound like a very generous and thoughtful gran. Lots of suggestions here but why not say to the new Mum " I'd like to buy something just for you: what would you like?" Perfume is a lovely idea as the smell will always remind her of this special time. When my DDs and DIL had their babies I would always take special flowers when the baby was about a month old, when reality was starting to sink in. For some reason your post brought back such a clear memory of my in-laws coming to meet my baby son for the first time and among other things, brought a large (and delicious) cherry pie. He will be 34 this year!

Lizzle10 Wed 12-Feb-20 15:25:21

Thank you Some lovely suggestions there , I certainly will take nappy’s or grocery’s etc on my future visits as I will have to stay over so it will be a token to repay their hospitality. My son says he struggles too she’s such a plain Jane but she apparently loves a bath so I think i’ll try and find something special in that department, maybe slightly more special than you’d usually by yourself ! Any suggestions I’m nit really one to pamper myself !

Oopsadaisy3 Wed 12-Feb-20 15:44:49

Phew! She’s such a plain Jane, I didn’t see that coming!

Why not nail varnish, make up set, book token, nice magazine to go with pamper set?
Don’t do what my MIL did, she gave me a box of chocs, which I didn’t like, with a Happy Birthday message to her on the back of the box, as her birthday was a few Months prior to me having my DD2 I wasn’t impressed.

grannypiper Wed 12-Feb-20 15:46:54

Congraulations flowers Take food

T0mlin Wed 12-Feb-20 15:52:23

When my first GS was born, my DiL's Granma gave my Son a half bottle of champagne because in her experience the Father tended to get a bit side lined!

threexnanny Wed 12-Feb-20 15:52:32

Wine might not be appreciated if she is breast feeding. Offers to cook / wash-up/ ironing and some easy meals left in the freezer when you leave would be good.

curvygran950 Wed 12-Feb-20 15:59:40

Congratulations on becoming a granny!
I wonder if she has a baby diary/book ? The sort you put in ‘first smile’ etc and details of date/ time of birth and other milestones.?
Other than a practical help , I think asking your son about her favourite shower/bath brands is a great idea, also a nice bottle of something bubbly for the two of them !

Feelingmyage55 Wed 12-Feb-20 16:06:13

Open a bank account for baby. Only needs to be a small amount but it is a start.