Remember that gift certificate you gave me?...

June 9, 2008 4:34 AM

My boss and his wife just had thier second son. What can I get him (or his child/wife) as a gift?

I have been working with him for a little over a year. I am a male still in my early 20s and oppose gifts such as a "onezy" with teddy bears printed on them. I would like a gift that says my mother did not pick it out for me. So, what would you get him AskMe?

posted by thetenthstory to shopping (28 comments total)

Oh, and also I am aiming to spend about $100 or less.
posted by thetenthstory at 4:35 AM on June 9, 2008

a Winkel

baby long johns from hanna andersson

swaddling blankets

boy-color baby legs

a tiny hoodie
posted by pinky at 4:59 AM on June 9, 2008

Depending upon what state you're in, there are lots of programs that offer incentives for starting a college fund early. Some people think it's kind of bloodless -- I think it's a considerate way to tell them you're thinking of the kid's future.

If you're going to get clothes, get year-old clothes. New parents will be inundated with clothes for the current time period. Get 'em something they can have during that time no one else bought for.
posted by jeffmshaw at 5:18 AM on June 9, 2008

$100 or less? That sounds like quite a lot of money for a work colleague, but nevertheless...

I think these "Nerdy Baby Flashcards" by Tiffany Ard are very cool. And they're only twenty bucks! I guess it depends upon your boss and whether they would think these humorous.

Having said that, I don't think you can ever go wrong with books. Books are, without doubt, the most precious, meaningful and influential gift you can give a child.
posted by Mephisto at 5:18 AM on June 9, 2008

These sneaker/socks are great!
posted by a22lamia at 5:20 AM on June 9, 2008

This is always a big hit whenever I give it. It's a custom book where all the animals in the forest come together to spell the name of the new child. I think it's quite a keepsake. You might think of getting one for the older brother as well.
posted by illek at 5:25 AM on June 9, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Oh, and "ethical gifts" are kinda cool too...

Check out Ethical Gifts Superstore, Good Gifts catalogue or the Gifts of Life catalogue from Project Concern.

That should rock his socks, or he has no soul...

:)
posted by Mephisto at 5:32 AM on June 9, 2008

I'll second clothes for a year or so down the line. i'm also a big fan of receiving diapers. Our second is on the way and I am going to make alot of unsubtle hints for work colleagues to stay away from plastic toys and consider helping us with the consummables.
posted by Frasermoo at 5:34 AM on June 9, 2008

Also, check babiesrus.com to see if they have a wishlist. It may seem boring, but I think it can also be thoughtful to give them items that they already know they want/need.

I also second the idea of books. Google "best board books" or "classic board books" if you need suggestions.
posted by cider at 5:44 AM on June 9, 2008

Thanks for the ideas. Also, I think I would feel awkward giving my boss baby clothes...
posted by thetenthstory at 5:57 AM on June 9, 2008

I would give him a little collection of books for now and later.

Pat the Bunny

Brown Bear, Brown Bear

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Where the Wild Things Are

Harold and the Purple Crayon

The first three can be bought in board book format. The last two will be something mom and dad can read to him when he is a little older.
posted by LoriFLA at 6:06 AM on June 9, 2008

What about a baby grooming kit? The kind with baby kind nail clippers, soft brushes for hair and new teeth, etc. Or a first aid type kit, with baby thermometer, nose bulb, medicine dropper, etc. They sell them at my local department store but I'm in Canada.
Also, books. Board books, waterproof bath books, soft books he can chew, etc. Some are quite lovely and full of bright pictures and textures, things to grab and pull and pat. Some have sound but I'd stay away from battery-operated ones (ones that squeak, though, would be fine).
posted by sandraregina at 6:07 AM on June 9, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

So, what would you get him AskMe?

I wouldn't get him anything. I would congratulate him, and make it a point to periodically ask him how things are going with the new baby.

But buy my boss a gift? Especially one that cost a not-inconsiderable sum of money, such as $100? I would find that terribly inappropriate.
posted by Flunkie at 6:10 AM on June 9, 2008

If it doesn't count as clothing, a hood baby towel -- I have absolutely no idea why, but they have been invariably popular. Try to avoid something too heavily boy!boy!boy!, unless you know they don't object to it.

Buy a book or something for the older kid, too -- he is likely to be feeling left out.
posted by jeather at 6:18 AM on June 9, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

But buy my boss a gift? Especially one that cost a not-inconsiderable sum of money, such as $100? I would find that terribly inappropriate.

I would have to agree with this. I don't think I've ever bought my boss a gift, except a Poinsettia plant. I think it would depend on the relationship. Perhaps one book, your favorite book as a child perhaps, would be more appropriate.
posted by LoriFLA at 6:21 AM on June 9, 2008

I think these rattles are gorgeous, and have bought it for friends having little ones.
posted by piratebowling at 6:31 AM on June 9, 2008

Since this is a second child, and a second boy, they probably have most of what they need. Clothes are fine, really, and nothing to feel weirded out about, and plain white Gerber onesies are practically a consumable. Echoing the notion that $100 is a lot to spend for a coworker, unless you're going the savings bond route, $50 is more than enough. Depending on the age of the older child, they might need a double stroller, but that's more of a group gift.

I'd avoid the classic board books, as they probably have them all already. How about a cool diaper tote/changing pad and a box of diapers? Do you know if they're planning on breast or bottle feeding? Glass baby bottles are hard to find lately -- maybe pair them with a bottle drying rack? (I don't work for SKIP*HOP, I swear.)

There's a ton of baby product out there that's design-y and cool (whatever your definition of cool), not overly cutesy. Try Giggle or your local equivalent.
posted by libraryhead at 6:31 AM on June 9, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I would also consider spending something on a gift for the older brother. We always appreciated getting a little something for the older sib when his sister was born.
posted by OlderThanTOS at 6:36 AM on June 9, 2008

Many years ago, when my boss's wife had their second daughter, I made sure to get a little something for the first daughter, too - so she didn't feel left out.
posted by Lucinda at 6:37 AM on June 9, 2008

Whatever you get...make sure you get something for the older child as well. Not only does this look good to the parents (suckup points to your boss), but it doesnt make the older child (who is STILL a child), feel left out.
posted by hal_c_on at 7:08 AM on June 9, 2008

If he's Jewish you can plant a tree in Israel in the baby's name via the JNF.
posted by PenDevil at 7:11 AM on June 9, 2008

seconding the point that since this is the second child, and is of the same gender, they probably don't need clothes or toys. maybe something more geared to the parents instead of the baby? a restaurant gift certificate perhaps? avoid wine - new moms can't drink if they are breast-feeding.
posted by kidsleepy at 7:21 AM on June 9, 2008

What about books? I don't have a lot of specific recommendations but you really can't go wrong with getting them a few 'classic' childrens books (Goodnight Moon, etc).
posted by Diskeater at 7:22 AM on June 9, 2008

Robeez shoes are very popular these days, and they are so cute they make great gifts. This is what we're getting for my partner's co-worker/supervisor whose is expecting their first baby any day now.

Do not give a copy of Goodnight, Moon. I got like 5 when I had my first child. Assume they already have all the obvious board books, as someone else said.
posted by not that girl at 8:58 AM on June 9, 2008

I get all new parents an infrared forehead thermometer.
posted by nicwolff at 9:54 AM on June 9, 2008

Yeah, second kid, second boy? Most of the above suggestions are redundant. What about an archival storage box with the front pages of some of the major newspapers from the day his son was born & interesting magazines. Thoughtful but not schmoozy or treacly.
posted by cocoagirl at 10:30 AM on June 9, 2008

Babylegs!
posted by krisken at 10:44 AM on June 9, 2008

My wife and I often give I'm a Big Brother (or Sister) to the older sibling.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 12:16 PM on June 9, 2008