Gift question for a soon-to-be mom

[Apple]

So, since this is where lots of new moms/moms to be tend to gather, I thought I'd ask here.

I saw an idea I love, but my son is already 14 so kind of too late for me to start.

My new SIL is pregnant and I don't know her that well (my brother didn't either when they got married, but they were in love...) anyway, this has to be a little general because I don't know her specific taste and my brother isn't much help (hmmm... maybe I should try to contact her mom...)

Anyway, the idea. I saw a lamp that was made out of a clear vase. In it, a mom had put everything she ever found in her son's pockets when she did laundry. You could see the little boy (a bouncy ball, cheap little toy top, other stuff you would find in a little boy's pocket), then the more grown up boy (a dollar bill, a ticket stub, etc). She saved it up until he moved out and then put it all in the vase and turned it into a lamp and gave it to him as a wedding present. He was the one who actually posted it.

Do you think something like this would go over well? Basically, it would be a "kit". A pretty jar or vase, "instructions", the cord and light fixture (with a note that I would do the wiring and use whatever shade they wanted when it was time to give it). It wouldn't be the only gift, just one of them. Would it be too much of a hassle to have to haul around if you move? Would you worry about it breaking (a new vase/jar would be easy enough to buy)? Just curious if it is a good idea or not. Of course, she doesn't have to do this if she doesn't want to and I wouldn't be offended if she didn't (I'm not going to start asking "when do you want me to wire up that lamp I gave you 18 years ago??" )

ETA: They are having a girl, unless they get a surprise.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...I think you should get her a Polamalu jersey instead... ;D

[Apple]

Lol, not so sure she'd appreciate that one

I just thought about it though (for me)... I don't have the stuff from DS's pockets, but I do still have some of this childhood stuff that would work, little army guys, ticket stubs to the movies I took him to, things like that. Maybe I *can* make a lamp for him

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

Aug 12, 2012 15:21:15 GMT -5 Apple said:

Lol, not so sure she'd appreciate that one

I just thought about it though (for me)... I don't have the stuff from DS's pockets, but I do still have some of this childhood stuff that would work, little army guys, ticket stubs to the movies I took him to, things like that. Maybe I *can* make a lamp for him

...fair enough... not Steelers stuff... but I think football stuff would work great for a nursery... make it a veritable man cave... you want mama to have help in there, right? ;D

...and make the diaper pail from the opposing team... so we can give them, stuff, both on and off the field...

[Apple]

Lol, the "take baby home" outfit I bought when I was pregnant was a little dark blue outfit, jacket and pants, that had Mickey holding a football. The lady said "you must already know it's a boy". I told her I had no idea (we didn't find out) but if it was a girl I'd just put a bow in her hair

Turns out DS was way to little when we brought him home from the NICU (7 weeks early) so he ended up in a less-cute preemie outfit.

[mizbear]

No matter how I feel about the Mom 2B in the family, I go with something practical. It's a thing with me. Especially with the current economic climate.

The other thing you might consider if your budget allows- you could schedule a massage for you and your SIL for some bonding time. My cousin's wife L had pre-natal massages that really helped her with the stress.

[Apple]

I do practical too. When my son was born I was pretty poor. The best gifts I got for my birthday, etc, were big boxes of diapers. I just want to give a "different" gift as well.

I'd have to think about the massage thing, I don't like being touched (a bf and close friends excluded...)

[mizbear]

apple- You could also do manis/pedis. Most pregnant women have swollen feet and I haven't seen too many who can reach their nails to paint them. That might feel good and would make for good bonding time too.

But yeah- I'm the one who gives diapers and stinky diaper bags and onesies and coupons and pacifiers and spit rags and stuff all in a diaper bag or clothes basket or hamper.

[vonna]

apple,

I think this is a very creative, thoughtful gift! However, since you don't know her well, it may not fit her personality. I am the type that appreciates the THOUGHT of the creative gift, but I would never follow through, and would probably feel stressed receiving this type of gift.

In other words, I think it is PERFECT for the right person, but could be very wrong for others. . .

[flopsy]

Maybe you could start a scrap book for her (ie insert picture here or write mushy note there). I was at a baby shower yesterday and the mommy to be had tasked a friend with taking photos because she was going to be too busy. I didn't do anything cute or buy anything cute but I did help my sister (the hostess) for hours yesterday on party prep. Maybe I'll be inspired after she has the baby.

Even if you don't like being touched going for a pedicure is a good situation in which to corner the SIL and find out more about her.

[muttleynfelix]

With DS, I might have thought that is cute, but it is something that would have been absolutely wasted on me. With this baby, I would say hell no, take it back. I don't need another thing to do in my life. I'm not a very crafty or sentimental person though. DH does most of the decorating at our house because if it were up to me I would simply leave the walls bare.

If you live near her, a hot meal after the baby comes - seriously I cannot tell you that even with casseroles frozen in the freezer DH and I would simply forget to eat the first couple weeks after DS arrived. I would look at the clock and wonder how in the world did it become 8pm.

[Deleted]

Aug 12, 2012 17:50:24 GMT -5 mizbear said:

apple- You could also do manis/pedis. Most pregnant women have swollen feet and I haven't seen too many who can reach their nails to paint them. That might feel good and would make for good bonding time too.

But yeah- I'm the one who gives diapers and stinky diaper bags and onesies and coupons and pacifiers and spit rags and stuff all in a diaper bag or clothes basket or hamper.

Wish I had sensible friends like you, IRL. ;D

[Apple]

If you live near her, a hot meal after the baby comes - seriously I cannot tell you that even with casseroles frozen in the freezer DH and I would simply forget to eat the first couple weeks after DS arrived. I would look at the clock and wonder how in the world did it become 8pm.

That I know I could do! They live just a few blocks away.

Thanks for the input. Maybe I'll just send a link to my brother to give him an idea, tell him if he does something like that, I'll wire it for him when the time comes (he's not handy at all). That way, she doesn't feel pressured or obligated, and he can tell her if he thinks she'd like to do something like that.