Family Matters
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Hospital gift?

My SIL is getting enduced with her 1st baby (a little girl :)) on Thursday, I want to bring a little gift to the hospital for her.

Any ideas? What would you have wanted or what would have been a special treat for you while delivering/staying in the hospital after your LO was born?

Re: Hospital gift?

  • I will be honest - taking stuff to the hospital just isn't ideal.  They have to take all of that stuff home AND a baby.  My IL's brought flowers and a balloon.  It was annoying.

    I'd offer to bring in lunch or dinner!  My parents did this for us a couple time - just sandwhiches from a local deli - but it was wonderful!
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  • Something that she is craving and maybe something she didn't allow herself while pregnant.  For me, it was a big Mountain Dew and a hot dog and fries from the local greasy spoon.  It tasted so good!!!
  • thanks! good advice:)

  • Ditto the good food!  Also a gift certificate for a massage, house cleaning or a night of babysitting would be ideal.
  • Everyone has said this but I have to emphasize how important food was to me.  We had a friend who made three days worth of food and few snack items.  This was the BEST present I received after coming home from the hospital.  While I enjoyed the flowers and gifts I received at the hospital, packing it all up to come home was an added pain in the arse.

    Also, if you plan to drop off the food, do just that.  Drop it off and don't linger too much.  I felt like I had to clean the house before they came over.  DH and I were scrambling around like crazy trying to get the house 'visitor-ready'.  I would have rather not done that after being released, but I understand the appeal of a new baby.

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  • If you want to bring something to the hospital, I would suggest a couple of magazines.  Everything else is such a pain to bring home.
  • I agree with the pps who suggested you not bring anything to the hospital that the new parents will have to take home.  They'll have enough on their plate getting themselves and the baby there. 

    Food and offers to help with things (watching the baby so mom can nap, running errands, doing laundry, cleaning, etc.) are the best gifts, IMO.  Stock their freezer, give restaurant gift cards, ask what you can do to help (and listen to them...if they thank you but say they're fine, don't decide to come clean their house anyway!).  If you bring meals, try to put everything into disposable containers so they don't have to worry about washing and returning things.  Anything that makes their lives easier is a great thing to offer/give!

  • I agree with everything above.

    My nephew's first Christmas was last year.  We got him a personalized ornament for the tree. (For you, something for her and the baby when they come home) 

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  • Please don't bring anything to the hospital, it's a hassle trying to haul everything home. By far, we were most grateful for restaurant gift cards - especially restaurants that had take-out options. No cooking and minimal clean-up.
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