Help with a gift for a new baby?

[Flaxbee]

We are going to see friends we haven't seen in about 7 years in a few weeks - they've been out of the country and just returned. We haven't really kept in touch with them - obviously - because we just found out yesterday that they'd had a baby sometime in the last 6 months or so (the birth announcements aren't out - the mom didn't get the couple's wedding announcement out for over a year, so this isn't uncommon, just means I have no idea when the girl was born -- I saw photos last night and she looks to be able to sit up in a chair with help, but still in diapers, probably crawling, not walking....).

I don't really know how old the baby is (a girl), but I'd like to have a small gift when we visit.... the couple lacks for nothing - they can buy whatever they need - so I'm looking for something unique or fun, not necessarily practical ...

Also, two caveats: we don't have much in terms of financial resources at this point, so we can't really splurge, and it should probably be something I can buy online, b/c we live in the absolute boonies and good shopping is over 75 miles away.

So - any thoughts? I'd really, really appreciate some suggestions, and many thanks.

[Karenina]

1. Your gift is your time.

The child lacks for nothing and indeed probably has too much STUFF already.
How about taking some finger food along for enjoyment while you coo over this new arrival?

[Flaxbee]

4. well - we'll be staying at their house, and

will be flying in from several states away, so - that isn't really easy. I didn't make it clear in my OP that they're hosting us and they live in New England while we live in the South...

[Karenina]

13. A PECAN PIE!!!

I must admit, I shouldn't have replied as obligatory gift-giving is not my thing. I always wait until I've scoped out the digs and situation. My friends are used to me showing up with or sending a gift on an ordinary day
with a "I just decided you need, could use or would like THIS." In your case, maybe you could bring something from your region that they'd never find up north.

[evlbstrd]

2. A puppy.

[Flaxbee]

5. they already have several

nt

[Burma Jones]

3. You should NEVER give a new Baby as a Gift

[Deja Q]

6. Return the baby to the store of origin. Pray they got it from Walmart.

:hide:

[Flaxbee]

7. OK, y'all, I've changed the original question and

so you can quit with the witty remarks.

[Deja Q]

8. Damn!

:cry:

[Flaxbee]

10. sigh

:eyes:

[Blue-Jay]

9. Nothing. Babies don't show enough appreciation.

Plus, when they're old enough they won't remember that you stiffed on a gift.

[Debi]

11. A Bumbo seat

Just got one for my nephew (the one shown here has the attachable tray which is an extra $10.00 bucks) I got mine for about $35.00. Good for kids just learning to hold themselves up. My nephew is 14 weeks and sits pretty well in his. A friend has a six month old that sits in his to eat and play.

[Flaxbee]

12. how funny! I had no idea what she was sitting in, but the

photos they sent us have her in a Bumbo seat. Looks fantastic, though....

[Debi]

14. Hey, you could always get her the attachable tray!

:shrug:

[China_cat]

15. Baby books. The cloth padded ones.

Not expensive but kids love them. And it's never too early for books.

This is one nice deal. There are many more if you google.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-5093268-9995358?asin=B000AHJKB8&AFID=Yahoo&LNM=B000AHJKB8|Sassy_Babys_First_Books&ref=tgt_adv_XPYD0100

[Flaxbee]

16. thank you! Great idea...

my nieces haven't been young in ages and I'm just totally out of the loop, having no offspring of my own....

[Horse with no Name]

28. Taggies are awesome too

Babies LOVE them.
http://www.babybungalow.com/tabaandkilot.html

[rug]

17. This is $18.95.

http://www.personalizationmall.com/Product.aspx?storeid=1&categoryid=1166&productid=3281&sdest=dept&sdestid=1166

[Flaxbee]

19. thank you --- looks like a great site, too, for future reference

I appreciate it!

[pagerbear]

18. Myrrh. Babies love myrrh.

[MrsMatt]

20. I have a two year old - he loves blocks

he has a set of Spanish language blocks made by Uncle Goose (US company - based in Michigan) has the funkiest wooden blocks, all made in the US. The nursery rhyme blocks are only about $10 for a set of nine; the foreign language (including Braille and sign language) alphabet sets are around $30-$35 each. I hit on these at a local store, but they have a website http://www.unclegoose.com/

It's unusual, American made, and shows that you care about the child's development.

[Flaxbee]

22. interesting! I'll take a look --

her mom speaks 5 languages and the dad speaks at least 2, so I might ask to see which second language they might get her started on first... great idea for any child, though, and I appreciate it.

[kath]

21. Two "practical" suggestions -

(even though you said unique or fun)
IMHO, the best book for parents out there (an "owner's manual" that should come with every baby!) is "Your Child's Health" by Dr. Barton Schmitt. Some pediatricians give them out to each family in their practice, and if I were still in practice I would consider doing the same. Read the reviews on Amazon - one of them said the family was on their 2nd copy, since the 1st was so heavily used)

A good lullabye tape - our very favorite was "Golden Slumbers" by Pete Seeger and Oscar Brand. It's still available, but only on cassette:
http://www.sensorycomfort.com/relaxati.htm#CDs%20and%20Cassettes

Amazon carried it until recently, but it looks likes it's backordered or unavailable from most places now.

[Flaxbee]

23. thank you! great reference

material -- I haven't seen this couple in ages and have no idea what they do or don't have... I really like the idea of the lullabye tape. The book sounds great, too, but I don't want to get them something they already might have. Hmmm.

[kath]

25. Well, even though I think this is the best book for parents ever (Dr Spock for the current

generation, only more comprehensive and practical), unfortunately the publisher doesn't seem to promote it very well, so not a lot of people know about it.

Other suggestions, and probably not something they already have -- since reading aloud is the most important thing you can do with your child, how about a guide to children's books (and possibly a good board book as well) such as:

100 Best Books for Children by Anita Silvey
The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease (a classic - now in it's 6th or 8th or sonethingth edition)
Valerie and Walter's Best Books for Children: A Lively, Opinionated Guide by Walter Mayes and Valerie Lewis
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading, by Esme Raji Codell

For a guide to the best of books, toys, audio etc (this may help you in choosing a book or other gift, or you could give them a copy of the book) check out The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio's website
http://www.toyportfolio.com/Infants/Index.asp (includes products to avoid for each age, plus the best of the best - BlueChip awards and Platinum Awards, etc) OR their book Oppenheim Toy Portfolio: The Best Toys, Books and DVDs for Kids which is updated yearly. (Joanne Oppenheim put out a *wonderful* book JUST about the best books (no toys, DVDs) for kids called "Choosing Books for Kids" which I used CONSTANTLY in choosing books for my nieces and nephews, then for my own kids, but unfortunately the only edition was in the late 1980s. Still a good guide to the classics, if you're library has it.)

[YellowRubberDuckie]

24. Go walk the aisles at your favorite baby store...

Find something plush and soft and sweet. Something you pick up and can't put down. And a rubber duckie. You can never go wrong with a rubber duckie. :evilgrin:
Duckie

[kath]

26. How's 'bout a beautifully illustrated collection of Mother Goose rhymes?

yeah, some of them are violent or sexist, or... But they're so classic, and the rhythm and cadence of these simple rhymes are great for little ones.
Or a book of classic finger-plays and/or nursery songs. Itsy-bitsy spider, where is thumbkin, etc. Or a book of children's songs.

[Horse with no Name]

27. A baby ring or bracelet

They are not that expensive and a gift that is meant for a lifetime.
http://www.loveivy.com/scpt/main/item_list.php?age=b&selection=Rings&ref=gsearch&gclid=CMPl5sWw4o0CFRrqgAodqEhTyQ

[yellowdogintexas]

29. Cute picture frames, you never have enough of those!!

matching set in different sizes, or cute "babified" ones, or engraved?

Your choice...but it is a good gift