I was reviewing this website on unique baby gifts with choices ranging from clothes, blankets, keepsakes to creative baby gifts baskets and it got me thinking.
What sort of gifts should we be giving to newborn babies? Or perhaps more correctly, what sort of gifts do we mothers really want when we have a baby?
Sure, there are a lot of cute and charming stuff to receive.
Like this cute as a button baby gift set overflowing with adorable wearables, embroidered booties, bib, washcloths all tucked into a well-made wooden box with cut out handles. Or this five piece lamb baby basket which comes with a blanket, tin and an 8 inch tall soft, finely furred “Lammie Pie” plush toy with blushing cheeks and sweet brown eyes. And what about their silver and pewter range of baby keepsakes which could be passed down as heirlooms?
Awww…all so very sweet and pretty aren’t they?
But…are these really what we want?
I think they make real lovely gifts certainly, but from a practical standpoint, do we really use them? I remember receiving many such gifts when Gavin was born and I also remember that most of them were left unwrapped, intact and kept in the cupboard. My MIL even suggested that I recycle them as future gifts. Well, sincerity not included I suppose.
Maybe I’m too practical but if you ask me, I would say, give me diapers! Really!
All mothers know how quickly babies will outgrow their clothes. Moreover, we would already have bought most of those wearables. But we need tons of diapers. So something like their diaper cakes would make great gifts. Made of layers of disposable diapers and decorated with cascading silk flowers, they make a beautiful and practical gift. I know I will not complain if I receive something like that.
And something else which I won’t complain about. Receiving cold hard cash in the form of red packets!
I prefer getting angbao too. That way, I can get whatever I want for my child or even save it as future college fund. If not, I don’t mind bigger size clothing (at least 9-12mths old) because baby outgrows newborn size like in days? So now I get toddler sized clothing as baby shower gifts to friends.
CM: Ya, that’s a good idea. Toddler sized clothings! I don’t mind that too.
Comment by crazymommy — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 @ 8:54 am
Yes! I want diapers too.
I don’t mind breast milk storage bags too..
Err.. and I think if I don’t breast feed (which I won’t).. I’ll probably want formula milk.
These things run out fast and not really cheap.
ZM: Exactly. Must give practical things that will help save us some costs.
Comment by zara's mama — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 @ 12:09 pm
I always asked my friends first what they really need… and guess what, most of them asked for dozens of diapers and some bottles!!
And that’s just what I gave them… They’re happy and I know they’re really going to use them 
trieze: That’s thoughtful of you to ask. The only time I received diapers were from my own niece.
Comment by trieze — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 @ 12:47 pm
Typically I would have given a red packet too since it does seem more practical! Now, I chanced upon a new pressie idea. Seen it at the shop where I went for my craft class today. A framed picture of the baby complete with accompanying craftwork. I thought it’s a practical gift to keep for years to come and literally oozes with sincerity. Now waiting for a baby to be borne so I can try it out!
DR: Wow, you’re very sweet. That’s a good keepsake idea. Handmade somemore.
Comment by domestic rat — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 @ 12:59 pm
I agreed it’s more practical to give angbao especially when now there is an addition in the family, the household expenses will definately “addition” too. But being practical, I felt the purpose of gifts become a boring mandatory.
To me, receiving gifts is an very exciting process especially when you unwrapped and see gifts like the “lovely diaper cake”, “baby basket”… and many thoughtful and sincere pressie. These sure will brighten up my day!
But then, I do received other types of surprise too! I remembered I received a biscuit basket as my baby gift… and some really “different taste” apparel! kekeke :p
Anyway, I somehow utilize most of the pressie and give away some too (not recycle present).
So normally I’ll try to shop for a pressie but if really cant find one that suit the person, I’ll then give angbao loh, the safest pressie ;P
wtpg: Biscuits? You got biscuits? I hope they’re nice and have not expired…
Comment by wtpgrr — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 @ 1:52 pm
The “ang mohs” likes the pressies..
i prefer diapers too.. 
MB: That’s interesting. I didn’t know they prefer pressies…maybe money is not so sincere for them huh?
Comment by Mama Bok — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 @ 3:18 pm
wow these diaper “cakes” look so beautiful!!! like a real 3-tiered wedding cake. didnt know these can be done so beautifully to present as a gift. yes actually i also agree those gift sets are a waste of money coz everyone buys the same thing. my aunt also have a few sets left unwrapped when she had her two kids that time. but then thats the norm i guess. another way is to give money. most practical :p what if the diapers don’t fit, is that possible?
Evan: Usually for the newborns, the diapers can fit as the smallest size is still quite big for them. Unless of course it’s a big baby.
Comment by Evan — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 @ 5:08 pm
Ang paos, pls. Diapers are excellent too, but there’s always a size issue – too many NB sized diapers aren’t much use too. I don’t even like clothes for a later point – I wouldn’t remember having them! Sara received a beautiful and expensive box of Polo Ralph Lauren clothes from my then-colleagues when she was born, and she still wears some items till today. Can you imagine? I almost forgot there were clothes for 2-year-olds in that box…
Hsin: I also forgot some of the clothes that were given until much later, and too late. If the clothes are big enough to last, then it’s quite good. Those for newborns can become useless pretty quickly especially if we receive too many of them.
Comment by Hsin — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 @ 9:17 pm
I also received diapers when my babies were born. And I liked it. Because you’re right. Babies do outgrow clothes quickly. I have also given diapers to mothers who just had babies. I also think it’s very practical.
niceheart: The only one who gave me diapers was my niece. Because she has a child herself and she knows!
Comment by niceheart — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 @ 12:11 pm