Buying a baby gift from away.

November 15, 2009 6:23 AM

Gift-Filter - Please recommend a shop in Edinburgh that I can buy a tasteful new baby gift online that will deliver in a little over a week.

Nuances: I wish to send a small gift to a work colleague of mine, whose wife is due to have a C-section in 10 days. Normally, when I purchase a new baby gift, I either know the couple or the wife so I often end up buying something for the mother. So this time I am a bit stuck for what to buy. (It seems weird to buy for the mother when I don't know her at all.) In this situation, I know the husband, but in a creative relationship that has been primarily online based and likely to continue for several years (fingers crossed for our collaboration!). That is to say, even though we have a creative relationship, I don't really know him very well, and certainly his family not at all. I would say that we are friendly colleagues.

From the time that we worked together in person, I would guess that his tastes (which would hopefully extend to his wife's) might be like the following: Tasteful, not fussy, prefers good quality, down-to-earth

Other random facts about the family: Both Oxford-educated, seem to share similar politics to me (ie. lefty left), own home, mid to late 30s, not religious, career-wise both husband and wife busy, artistic, successful, and they also have two young boys.

I live in Toronto, hence why I'm looking for an online place. I can spend about £20 - £40. Needs to be a place that delivers. (I looked through Etsy Local, but didn't see anything I liked there.)

posted by typewriter to shopping (6 answers total)

John Lewis.
posted by fire&wings at 6:25 AM on November 15, 2009

Anything from any UK seller will get to Edinburgh within a week. The UK's quite a small country. John Lewis is a very good recommendation. I've also heard of Greenbaby as a nice baby site.

The Early Learning Centre used to have some really nice stuff when I was young, but at first glance the toys seems a bit cheesy now. They might be better that my cursory look reveals, though.
posted by Magnakai at 6:50 AM on November 15, 2009

Last I checked Scotland was still attached to the UK postal service, which has the same delivery dates across the country.

Lefty left present buying, with baby stuff:
Natural Collection
Amnesty
New Internationalist (not much baby)
Ethical Superstore (I haven't bought from these guys, but they have a big range and I know people who use them)
Ethical Babe (specifically baby and children; again, not bought from them)
posted by Coobeastie at 7:41 AM on November 15, 2009

Thanks for the links, I'll check them out!
(In Toronto, I couldn't trust our mail system to deliver a package at standard rates in a week within the city.)
posted by typewriter at 9:51 AM on November 15, 2009

There is some lovely baby stuff on Amazon UK (I just bought this teddy for an expecting couple, it is very soft!) and they are very reliable for delivery, and can do the gift wrap, etc., as well.
posted by ukdanae at 11:21 AM on November 15, 2009

I bought something from Ethical Babe. It arrived on time and the customer service was very responsive. The couple liked the outfit. It was a girl. Now she will be spoiled silly. :)
posted by typewriter at 12:19 PM on December 15, 2009