To new parents

[Surreygirl30]

What has been the best gift that you have received after the birth of your child? I am trying to get ideas of what to buy and have no idea what the sex of the baby will be.

Also did you receive any good presents, just for you and not the baby and what were they? Many thanks

[redcrx]

my best friend bought me a pampering pressie that she'd made up. It contained a small bottle of wine, chocolates, a romantic book, lots of bubble bath and bath bombs abd some candles.

All the other pressies we had were all baby related.

[redcrx]

sorry, sent before Id finished.

Baby stuff was vouchers for boots, mothercare etc. Teddies galore and lots of unisex clothes.

How about buying them some magic custard so they can make a casting of baby's hand and foot or something.

what were you thinking of spending?

[Surreygirl30]

thanks redcrx - the money side isnt a problem as such. Was hoping to get something a bit different - cant think of anything but thanks for the ideas you have given :-)

[loopyc]

i brought my godson a star it cost �30 some of the proceeds went to great ormond street you can name the star anything you like and get a map of the sky which shows where your star will be.

[redcrx]

this is similar to the magic custard, and they are easy to use. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Baby-Gift-Home-Baby- Casting-Kit-Hands-Feet_W0QQitemZ140043669329QQ ihZ004QQcategoryZ100979QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

[Pebbles]

It doesn't cost anything but can you give them some of your time.

I know that even a couple of hours away from a new baby can seem like heaven, in the nicest possible way, either if you can baby sit at babies house or have the baby at your house?

Someone I know made a little booklet of "Promises" for them, like 2 hours babysitting, taking baby for a walk, doing some ironing, cleaning etc as new Mum's don't like to ask for help.

[Surreygirl30]

thanks everyone some really lovely ideas :-)

[unruliejulie]

My friend bought me a basket full of all the baby essentials such as shampoo, talc, body wash,baby lotion, baby oil, cotton wool you name it and it was in there. It saved me loads of money and i thought it was really thoughtful!

[BagPussAA]

The nicest pressie I was given was a silver phot frame for the baby's first year so that it goes from new born to first birthday in pictures.. I was also given a spa day for myself which was heavenly

[filthiestfis]

when will you have your very own baby, Surreygirl?

[Surreygirl30]

i can't have children, well only a 5% chance.

[Surreygirl30]

Anyway that has nothing to do with the question i am asking :-(

[jostar]

My sister-in-law was my first visitor she got me a small bottle of Gin & Tonic, a box of mint matchmakers and a magazine - I couldn't wait for my visitors to leave that evening!!! pure heaven.

Oh, she also got a beautiful little pink and white babygro for the baby - the first girly thing!!

[Blyss]

i bought a friend a bumbo ...she says its heavnly ..as you can sit the baby in the bumbo from around 6/8 weeks old ..or as soon as they can hold there head up.

http://www.kiddicare.com/page/navpage?N=1258&r w.cm=Google,PPC,bumbo&cm_mmc=Spannerworks-_-Go ogle-_-Ad%20Words-_-bumbo

[sportsmom]

Well, I'm not a "New" Parent, as my baby will be 11 years old tomorrow...but I remember the 4 best gifts I received were photo gift certificates - people love pictures of new babies; pampers/diapers - you can never have enough; a gift certificate to get a massage for me and movie tickets for my husband and me.

[Hellion]

A Rainbow Maker - Small babies loved it and they continue to love it as they get older

http://www.needapresent.com/shop/get_ProductDe tail.asp?&SID=AWIN&PID=1207

For me - a bottle of hot pink nail varnish to paint my toes. When it's lunch time and you're not dressed, your hairs skanky, and you've suitcases under your eyes you know you have completely lost your grip if your toenail's are pink...honestly!!!!

http://www.opidiva.com/NLB37_opi_nail_polish.h tm

Also, as pebbles says, just going and keeping an eye on a new baby so Mum can have a long soak in the bath or an hours sleep is the greatest gift of all, I know it doesn't sound like much but any new mother will tell you it's priceless!

[Surreygirl30]

thanks everyone - really lovely ideas and ohhh i so like the rainbow maker - i think i want one for myself ha ha :-) i will get one of those and i will name a star - also i am going to make a pamper kit (i have a couple of months (all being well) to get it sorted :-)

[yourdarling]

Hi there � I received a beautiful Nappy Cakes from my closest friend � it was full of goodies and looked fantastic when they delivered it (much better then flowers!!). I have seen them on http://www.baby-gifts-online.co.uk/Nappy_Cakes _s/35.htm - they also do the baby casting kits like Magic Custard too as mentioned earlier..