| We just recently had our second child, and our friends | | | | Anything that takes cooking off the 'to-do' list will be |
| and family were soon asking 'what can I buy for the | | | | hugely appreciated. |
| new baby'? | | | | 3. Give the gift of activity |
| To be honest, at first I didn't have a clue... we already | | | | There are some really great activity classes out there |
| had most of the standard baby gear from having had | | | | for babies - music classes, swimming lessons, etc. See |
| our first child. And being that we had another girl, we | | | | if you can get a gift certificate for baby to go to one |
| already had all the 'girly' stuff on hand. This really got | | | | of these classes... they may not enroll right away but it |
| me to thinking, what are some good baby gift ideas | | | | will be great to have for when baby is ready. And I |
| for people when they have their second (or third, etc) | | | | know some of these classes can be a bit expensive |
| baby? When they don't need any more 'baby stuff'? | | | | for parents, and they may not be able to pay for a |
| I'm a huge fan of giving baby gifts (so much so that | | | | class otherwise even though they would love to |
| we created an online baby gift store). I like to give gifts | | | | attend. |
| that I know will be used and enjoyed, and not become | | | | 4. Give the gift of education |
| another outfit that they never take the tags off | | | | Many people these days are starting education funds |
| because they already have so many clothes. Here are | | | | for their children. Ask if they have started a fund (or if |
| a few 'non-stuff' baby gift ideas that I came up with. | | | | they plan to do so) and look to see if you can |
| 1. Give the gift of time | | | | contribute. This is the kind of gift that you know will |
| A new baby in the house adds more work on top of | | | | really be put to use down the road. |
| what is usually an already busy household. Any parent | | | | 5. Give mom and dad a gift! |
| I know would love to have some extra time on their | | | | Busy parents need a treat for themselves too, but |
| hands, so they can get to those projects that never | | | | they usually don't treat themselves very often. Buy |
| seem to get done or can perhaps have some rest | | | | mom a massage, spa day or book her a hair |
| and relaxation time for themselves. Take the older | | | | appointment at a great local salon. For dad perhaps |
| children out for an afternoon, or offer to come over | | | | tickets to a local sporting event or take him out for an |
| and cuddle the new baby for a couple of hours. You | | | | afternoon of golf. Something that allows them to have |
| could even plan to do this once a week for a few | | | | some regular adult fun and that they normally wouldn't |
| weeks until they get settled into a new routine. | | | | buy for themselves. |
| Just be sure when you do so, that you make sure that | | | | This is a great gift to pair with the gift of time... offer to |
| mom actually does go 'away' and take advantage of | | | | take care of the kids while mom goes to get her |
| the gift of time. Knowing moms (and myself!) there is a | | | | massage or dad goes out for a round of golf. |
| tendency to stick around the house even when | | | | I know, it is really hard to resist buying some of the |
| someone is over to help with the kids... and so it | | | | great baby gifts that are out there. If you really want |
| doesn't really end up feeling like I got an extra time at | | | | to buy them 'stuff' as a gift, I recommend checking in |
| all. So you may have to tell mom and dad to 'shoo!' | | | | with mom first to see what they would use. Chances |
| and get out for a while. | | | | are they really don't need anymore clothes, blankets, |
| 2. Give the gift of food | | | | baby towels, or toys to add to what they already |
| The weekend after my daughter was born my mom | | | | have. |
| did a day of cooking and came over with about 15 | | | | For example, we didn't know if we were having a boy |
| frozen homemade meals. All I had to do was defrost, | | | | or a girl with either of our kids, and so all of my wee |
| heat and they were ready to eat. This is probably one | | | | baby stuff is yellow and green. After our second |
| of my favorite baby gifts ever, as I totally didn't need | | | | daughter was born it would have been really nice to |
| to think about supper for a good few weeks. | | | | get some pink stuff in those newborn sizes. (but I |
| Now you don't need to go ahead and make quite so | | | | certainly didn't need any clothes in the larger sizes, we |
| many meals... one or two meals is plenty. If you aren't | | | | had plenty of that already). |
| a cook perhaps you could bring over a nice meal from | | | | There is nothing better than a new baby, so go ahead |
| a good local restaurant one night. Or maybe arrange | | | | and keep on giving... just make sure it is something that |
| for some food from a local meal delivery service. | | | | will be used and enjoyed. |