It’s happening all over the world, even as you are reading this. A friend stops by and oohs and aahs over your tiny miracle and hands you a pretty wrapped gift-just a’little something’. She waits with an expectant look.There is the ugliest little outfit you ever saw. You manage to smile and thank her. The friend leaves and you place the gift in the closet planning to forget it until you can say it’s outgrown.
You don’t want that to happen to your gift, do you? A few dos and don’ts.
The Don’t’s
Don’t buy frilly or very trendy clothes.(Unless you are VERY sure the parent wants them) Babies should be dressed for comfort and ease of changing.
Don’t buy a stuffed animal. Do you know how many of those things children get in their first year? If you just must do it-buy something machine washable.(Baby Gund, etc.)
Don’t buy clothing or diapers that fit the baby today. They will outgrow them tomorrow.
Unless you are the grandma or godmother(and even then be cautious here)-Don’t buy an outfit for the baby to wear on a special occasion. Wouldn’t you want to choose these things yourself.
The Do’s
First, do find out if the baby is’registered’ as is the trend these days. You are not at all obliged to buy only from these lists, but they will give you some indication of what may be needed and the parents’ taste.
If the baby needs clothing-Do buy simple, easy to use, soft clothes. Choose a larger size and as much as possible, clothes that span several seasons.
Gather a collection of necessities that are likely to be forgotten-a thermometer, baby tylenol or motrin for fever, a little bulb syringe for tiny noses etc. While none of us wants to suggest the baby will get sick-these things will be very appreciated when that first fever strikes.
Buy a nice developmental toy. Fisher Price, Little Tikes etc. Look for toys in the 6-12 month range for a newborn.
Simple board books and cloth books are also great.
Speaking of books-One of my favorite gifts to give is a classic children’s book.
Music for parent and child. Soft classical lullaby tapes or sweet vocals like Kenny Loggins’’Return to Pooh Corner’ or Art Garfunkel’s’Songs from Parent to Child’(I will eventually get to reviewing these). These are perfect for rocking and soothing parent and child.
Do leave tags(without prices) attached and/or a gift receipt so parents can return duplicate items.
I could go on and on. I would also suggest for the parents-an evening of child care and gc for dinner when they are ready, gc’s for restaurants that deliver etc. A little attention to them would be greatly appreciated.