What to get for pregnant friend?

[Rhea]

I have a friend due in April with the couple''s first child. She''s easily one of my closest friends so I''d like to get something for her to celebrate the birth of her child.

This friend is the total opposite of me so I''m struggling here. She''s incredibly sentimental and very very girly. Not to mention traditional.

Any ideas? I have a budget of $150. I thought of a silver locket but do new mothers wear jewellery? Or a massage but rumour has it that new mother don''t necessarily like to leave new babies to take time for themselves?

Point me in the right direction!!

 

[door knob solitaire]

You are so thoughtful!

Let me get this correct...and clear so others as well can help...You are looking for a personal gift for a best friend who is having a baby. You want it to be FOR her to commemorate the event? Not a gift for baby? But for the friend?

Are you wanting to present it to her BEFORE the birth or after? Do you know the sex of the baby yet? Will she before hand?

Woo hoo...April is coming on close....The birthstone for April is a DIAMOND...how cool is that?

 

[LitigatorChick]

If the gift is for mom, anything to make life easier is good. Housecleaning services, catered meals, etc. - very good. If you want to get a locket, that is lovely as well. I don''t see any reasons why new moms wouldn''t wear a necklace....

I would not go with the massage - maybe later. I did not want to be away from my baby and if was not comfortable to lay on your chest as your boobs are very "full".

If you want a present for baby, let us know. I will post that response later.

 

[Rhea]

Oh, good questions!

The kiddo is to be a female, at least that''s what the ultrasound said but I suppose you never know for sure until it''s here, right?

The gift would be for my friend. The baby gets her own gift, probably the typical baby outfits. The grandparents, who are incredibly excited of course, are doing the big and keepsake items for the kiddo. I won''t be able to present my friend with the present as I live in another country so I''d post it to her. If I find something by the time her shower is, in another 2 weeks, then I''d try to line it up with mailing her present to arrive about then. If not I don''t mind if she gets a present afterwards when things have calmed down for the couple a bit.

 

[LitigatorChick]

If you get the baby clothes, do not buy those teeny tiny baby clothes. Buy 18-24 month clothes. No one buys them, mom will appreciate them, and the kid will wear them for longer than 2 weeks.

The gift certificate may be the answer for you if you need to mail something. If you were intent on a massage or pedi, you could arrange for someone to go to her home to do it.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I love LC's ideas about a cleaning service or meal service (if you want to make her life easier) those first few months are rough. Also something with the baby's birthstone would be sweet and something she could past down to her daughter. I asked for gift cards for x-mas (for new clothes after I lose the baby weight).

ETA: just saw the due date is in April so that would be a diamond....oh well....

 

[Rhea]

Sounds like some practical things might be good. I''ll research into prices to see if it''s realistic to get a couple of things. I have no idea how much things cost in a mid-sized town in TN.

Date: 2/22/2008 2:55:37 PM
Author: LitigatorChick

I would not go with the massage - maybe later. I did not want to be away from my baby and if was not comfortable to lay on your chest as your boobs are very ''full''.

Ya know, I didn''t even think about this. This is why I need you guys! My mom always buys baby clothes for 9-12 months because she says that very few people think about past the newborn stage but I didn''t think to go up to 18-24 months.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I''m not sure about a necklace. My kids use to tug on mine and I barely wore them for a couple of years.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Addy, everyone bought us 3-6 months. So strange. Luckily I have a petite little thing so she probably WILL be able to wear them for awhile. Now if I buy clothes for people I buy at least 6 months and think ahead to the season. It is annoying when someone buys you a winter outfit when she will be that size during the summer (for example).

 

[door knob solitaire]

I haven't had the opportunity to be a mom...so I can't speak from that angle. But I can convey a funny comment from a friend who received a thoughtful gift of a massage...(no offense to those who suggested it...it just made me think of her when I read your suggestion)

She had her kid in a teaching hospital. When she arrived for check in just one doctor examined her all the way through ...as she dilated...the shift increased...in would march 8 or 10 new students at each number and they all needed the experience of an hands on dilation exam. She said she felt like a jiffy lube...NEXT! (oh dear can't believe I typed that...wonder if Andrey will keep it in??) anyway when she hit 8 cm she would yell to the passersby and ask if they wanted a peak too!

The morning after I spoke to her and she was giving me a play by play ...She said WHY would I want another stranger touching my body...will you take this BEEP BEEP massage. I am fat...I feel violated and on display...and I don't care if I ever get touched again! "OK...uh...I have to go now...hope that all works out for you!" click. "You whack Job" (just kidding she is a good friend).

I noticed you first wanted a suggestion in the line of jewelry. I vote for that too! I love thoughtful gifts and the other suggestions are most thoughtful...but I too am a sentimental nut like your friend. I think I would really treasure something special like jewelry and think of you fondly as I wear it over the years. I like to hold and caress my gifts...everlasting. (again I am not a mother like the other posters...just giving you another perspective).

On your budget the first thing that came to mind was HOT DIAMONDS. The diamond is the birthstone of the month of April. The stones are small and not to PS AGS000 but special and in sterling they are in your price range. Somehow the way they are set, they look more prominent and really cool. Modern clean lines. I was seeing a bar on a choker ring with one diamond similar here. The back you can engrave...a date..a name...or maybe "congrats...Addy". I like the necklace idea...I bet there are times she will wear it and love it. Here is an idea I interpret the twist as the union of the two...and in the middle is the diamond, that is the baby born in April. They also offer a locket...if you want a locket with a diamond.

The second thing I thought of is Jeweler James Avery. I have lots of friends who start charm bracelets and continue on as it tells a story of their lives. They have adorable baby shoes in sterling, baby carriages, bottles, engravable disks and a photo holder. The photo holder can be worn on a chain, necklace and you could add a few of the others for a mothers theme. Be sure to click through charms if that has any interest to you. This link shows a new pendant just designed that has a modern look and yet if you look hard you can see it is mother and child. The back is probably engravable.
Here are the mothers themed pendants

Lastly the Tiffany line in sterling...there are rings, and bracelets, pendants Tiffany.

There are sentimental baby engraveable things at Things Remembered. That is all I have...whew. You are a great friend to think so hard on a special gift. What ever you choose I am sure it will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

dks, my SIL gave Tessa a silver plated hair brush and mirror with her initials engraved and I thought that was a lovely present.

Your poor friend! It hurts to be examined! I can understand why should would not want to be touched ever again. I also can relate to the FAT stage. I would not want a stranger, even a woman, to see my body. I am just not there yet.

 

[NYCsparkle]

i think getting her a maid for when the baby is aboout a month old...thats when the sleep deprivation is severe and theres no time to shower let alone clean the house.

 

[NYCsparkle]

does she have a digital camera? they aren''t really that expensive anymore and its sentimental without being too girly...you can throw in one of those cute scrapbooks for the baby too.