Every time I had a baby, my home would be filled with all manner of gifts – hampers, cakes, diapers, clothes, stuffed toys, more cake, and a host of other things. While I was moved to tears by the kindness, I was really at a loss of what to do with many of the items that I knew I wouldn’t be using, and there’s only so much cake I could eat!
It felt terrible to have to discard some of the items. So, based on my experience, I’ve decided to share some considerations you can make when looking for the perfect gift for a newborn!
Common Gifts For Newborns
Here’s what happens. By the time I leave the hospital, there’s almost a room in my home filled with gifts. I start looking through them after settling in with my baby and I realise there’s so much I don’t know what to do with.
I receive many hampers but they may not be the best idea for, like many other parents, I often don’t end up using many of the items included. Likewise, when it comes to clothes, parents may have their own preferences for materials and size may be an issue.
It’s a shame if the gift you bought goes to waste! Stuffed toys are cute and delightful but they may be unsuitable for newborns with asthma or allergies. Not forgetting sweet treats – how much of it can a new mum eat anyway?
Also, while all of these are thoughtful gifts, they aren’t really the sort of thing that parents can keep for the newborn to remember in the future.
Instead, here are some suggestions and gifting tips when looking for the perfect gift for a newborn.
4 Tips For The Perfect Gift For A Newborn
In my experience of having three children, I’d say either go for practicality or sentimentality. If you want the newborn to remember your gift, look for something that is thoughtful, valuable, and can stand the test of time. Otherwise, get something practical!
Here are some suggestions:
1. Practical Items / Necessities
I remember one of the best gifts I received – diapers! These were from my colleagues, who were not looking for something sentimental as it was more of a courtesy gift. They asked for my brand preference and baby’s size, then sent me a supply that lasted for a few good months. They were thoughtful enough to size up too, so it saved me a lot of money and I was thankful!
Especially if a couple is having their first child, there are many things they would need, such as nursery items, breast pumps, baby mats, bouncers, and what is not. It’s never a bad idea to check in with the parents on what they need, and help them defray some costs by getting it for them!
2. Nutritious Food
I know that chicken essence is a popular choice in Singapore. I’m not a fan but many mums would be more than glad to receive a carton of it. Someone once gifted me a carton of bird’s nest drink and I enjoyed it so much! Otherwise, a basket of fresh fruits and the like can’t go wrong.
Again, this only works if you know the preferences of whom you are buying it for.
3. Personalised Items
These are always nice to have. Something with the baby’s name embroidered or engraved is something I’d keep for sure!
4. Jewellery
Speaking of personalised gifts, most mums would think trinkets, pendants, anklets, and the like make wonderful gifts! They don’t perish and make for great sentimental keepsakes.
Even more so in our Asian context, where many of these gifts represent prosperity and well wishes, so in my opinion, these make the perfect gift for a newborn!
Introducing The Poh Heng Baby Collection
As I mentioned, jewellery pieces make a perfect gift for a newborn as they are meaningful and can stand the test of time. As opposed to gifts like stuffed toys and hampers, a piece of jewellery combines a giver’s well wishes and wearability. Furthermore, the elements found on baby bracelets and anklets are often symbolic of well wishes and protection. Likewise, they can also signify a particular milestone in a baby’s growing up journey.
My mum’s friends and I love the delightful Poh Heng Baby collection! It has the cutest pendants and anklets, teddy bears, you name it. I received a pair of Disney character earrings for my little girl and she’s been wearing them ever since we got her ears pierced. If you’re not into Disney, they have many other designs.
I love the pendants that come in shapes of all manner of baby things such as rattles, safety pins, and even pacifiers! Some of my more traditional friends like the medallions with the year of the baby’s birth according to the Chinese calendar. Likewise, there are bangles and bracelets with Chinese characters that are symbolic.
One of the Minnie designs from the Poh Heng Baby Collection
If personalised gifts are more up your alley, you’d be glad to know that they have a large collection of bracelets on which you can engrave the baby’s name. Indeed a perfect gift for a newborn.
Poh Heng has been Singapore’s trusted jeweller since 1948 and every piece of jewellery created by them is created for love and crafted with passion. They make timeless pieces that can be cherished for years. Even when the child no longer wears it, I believe it would be a sentimental piece they can keep to pass on to future generations. Who knows, it could even become an heirloom one day? What could make a more perfect gift for a newborn?
Seeing is believing, so check out the wonderful Poh Heng Baby Collection here or in any of the Poh Heng boutiques. Do note that while some of the jewellery featured online are pay-per-weight pieces, the prices in store are final.
I hope that you’ve found this guide to looking for the perfect gift for a newborn useful. Remember, you don’t want to buy a gift for the sake of it, otherwise, it ends up with a pile of things that mums like me don’t know what to do with. Make sure that your gift stands out, and stays close to the heart of the little one you are buying it for!