Happy *birth*day, nephew!
April 5, 2010 2:36 AM Subscribe
My brother and his wife have a son. I want to get them something neat!
Two months ago my sister-in-law had a beautiful boy. I am very very close to my brother and sister-in-law and noticed that I never really got them anything for the birth. I think our relationship is such that it didn't feel necessary to do so in official circumstances, but now that they've settled in with the baby I'd really love to get them something special.
Preferably something that is available online or otherwise that I can purchase o'er here in Israel.
Two months ago my sister-in-law had a beautiful boy. I am very very close to my brother and sister-in-law and noticed that I never really got them anything for the birth. I think our relationship is such that it didn't feel necessary to do so in official circumstances, but now that they've settled in with the baby I'd really love to get them something special.
Preferably something that is available online or otherwise that I can purchase o'er here in Israel.
You could take some photos of your family and community and make a custom board book. (Not endorsing that company specifically, other than considering using it myself). It'll be a while before the baby is able to do anything other than chew on it, but it'll become more sentimental as he grows up.
posted by embrangled at 4:03 AM on April 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by embrangled at 4:03 AM on April 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
You should be able to buy them a family membership to their local zoo/aquarium/children's museum online. He may seem too young now to appreciate it, but believe me, walking around a zoo with a baby is pretty much as good as it gets.
posted by padraigin at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by padraigin at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2010 [5 favorites]
My father's three older brothers lived 2500 miles away from us, and between them they had about 20 grandchildren when I was a kid. As such, I never received any Christmas or birthday gifts from them, and rarely got to see them. But they gave my family the best gift I've ever received when I was about 3 years old. They all came out to California for a long weekend and, using their extensive carpentry/plumbing skills and a bunch of plywood, created a huge open-air two-story playhouse, with running water. My dad and brother made a swing set next to it.
Basically, for the next ten years, whenever I played there, I felt enveloped in the love and warmth of my extended family. I'm pretty sure my parents felt the same way. If you have some kind of making-stuff skill then I would use it. Something like a knit baby blanket would be awesome. Even more awesome would be a baby blanket and a full-size blanket with a hole or a missing corner, so the baby portion can be reattached with a whipstitch when the kid grows up.
If you'd rather buy something, there are plenty of suggestions here (gift+baby). One idea I particularly like is a set of hardcover children's books, for varying ages, with inscriptions for both parent and child (preferably cryptic and thought-provoking). Or an awesome rocking chair? I knew someone who brought one to college, given to him when he was a baby.
posted by acidic at 6:49 AM on April 5, 2010
Basically, for the next ten years, whenever I played there, I felt enveloped in the love and warmth of my extended family. I'm pretty sure my parents felt the same way. If you have some kind of making-stuff skill then I would use it. Something like a knit baby blanket would be awesome. Even more awesome would be a baby blanket and a full-size blanket with a hole or a missing corner, so the baby portion can be reattached with a whipstitch when the kid grows up.
If you'd rather buy something, there are plenty of suggestions here (gift+baby). One idea I particularly like is a set of hardcover children's books, for varying ages, with inscriptions for both parent and child (preferably cryptic and thought-provoking). Or an awesome rocking chair? I knew someone who brought one to college, given to him when he was a baby.
posted by acidic at 6:49 AM on April 5, 2010
I love the membership to the zoo (or similar) idea, particularly if there'll be a stay-at-home parent.
You also can't go far wrong with gift cards to Target (or similar) or for a maid service, although that latter is more for the exhausted parents.
Locally, a blessing written in Hebrew that can be framed for him?
Some things from my infancy that I really cherish are letters/cards from overseas relatives upon hearing the news. I think the best one is a telegram -- my grandfather was overseeing the building of a hospital in Saudi Arabia and there was no phone service, so my grandmother (who was there to care for my mother after the birth) sent him a telegram, which eventually ended up pasted in my baby book. I love it, it's so old-fashioned and telegramy.
Just don't send Goodnight Moon. We've already gotten five copies and they just. keep. coming!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:59 AM on April 5, 2010
You also can't go far wrong with gift cards to Target (or similar) or for a maid service, although that latter is more for the exhausted parents.
Locally, a blessing written in Hebrew that can be framed for him?
Some things from my infancy that I really cherish are letters/cards from overseas relatives upon hearing the news. I think the best one is a telegram -- my grandfather was overseeing the building of a hospital in Saudi Arabia and there was no phone service, so my grandmother (who was there to care for my mother after the birth) sent him a telegram, which eventually ended up pasted in my baby book. I love it, it's so old-fashioned and telegramy.
Just don't send Goodnight Moon. We've already gotten five copies and they just. keep. coming!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:59 AM on April 5, 2010
These were my favourite CDs growing up. Each CD features a different composer's music, and all but one are loosely biographical. The stories are interesting (perfect for road trips, bedtime, etc.) and it's also a great primer for classical music. It's a gift that will last for years; I think I was still listening to them when I was 12.
posted by Anali at 9:09 AM on April 5, 2010
posted by Anali at 9:09 AM on April 5, 2010
Clearly, you should get them a daughter so they have a matched set.
But seriously: I didn't notice if they are also in Israel, but I always liked the "good for one free" gifts - home-made dinner, evening of babysitting, afternoon of housework, etc.
As mentioned above, college fund or treasury bond-equivalents are also great gifts. Another poster or several had received a bottle of wine or liquor to age until 18/20/21/magical birthday.
posted by whatzit at 10:55 AM on April 5, 2010
But seriously: I didn't notice if they are also in Israel, but I always liked the "good for one free" gifts - home-made dinner, evening of babysitting, afternoon of housework, etc.
As mentioned above, college fund or treasury bond-equivalents are also great gifts. Another poster or several had received a bottle of wine or liquor to age until 18/20/21/magical birthday.
posted by whatzit at 10:55 AM on April 5, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by thermonuclear.jive.turkey at 4:02 AM on April 5, 2010