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[KiranA]

K. Thanks. :o I'm in a bit of a pickle. My older sister is expecting her first child in July. I'm very excited about being an aunt!! Unfortunately, she is finishing off her residency in another province, so I have missed out on being there for her during her pregnancy, and I will not be there for the birth of my little neice or nephew.

My brother-in-law is in town on Wednesday for a conference [I just found out] and I want to put together a little care package to send with him for her for the month leading up to the birth. Problem is I'm at work all day, and so I only have an hour to shop to put everything together tomorrow. I need ideas of cool things to put in this package. She already has books on pregnancy and labour. She was saying that pregnancy pillows make her too hot at night.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, especially because the timeframe I'm working with is so small.

[addiesue]

Something to wear home from the hospital? food? Something just for her and not anything to do with babies.

I got my sister a charm bracelet with a charm for the baby on it. I give her a charm every Christmas so it's a continuous thing.

[feisty]

my bestie has a one year old and is prego again... what kind of things are you looking for? and have you looked on etsy.com yet? they've got some wicked cute baby stuff on there.

[JenJen]

cooling misting sprays since her body temp is up.
Stuff to pamper her feet (pedicure gift certs?) since their swollen, hot, sore and out of reach.
Anything pretty.
Journals to record her thoughts.
A camera?
satin sheets (they're cooler)
cool music

[feisty]

-Rosebud Salve (can be used on any/all chapped areas)
-Stationary (I' sure she'll be laid up and probably has shower thank you notes etc)
-Satin Pillowcases (always stay cool, less expensive than the whole set for us younguns)
-Burn her some background music cd's for quiet time
-Baby clothes hangers so she can hang up new stuff and nest (usually cheap at dollar stores)
I always include a large baby lotion, body wash, baby powder and baby wash cloths in there, because they are expendables that parents have to keep replacing.

Usually if you go to target or any comparable store, they'll have a big lined basket that you can put everything in that they can use for later. My friends usually keep the products in the basket and just add wipies and diapers when the babies come for a discreet changing stash. (Tip- the ones where the lining comes out makes it easier to sanitize)

[Le Type Français]

Send a birth stone of the time in which her baby is to be born. Gemstones are very nice to look at and it can be sentimental as well.

[jody]

congratulations on becoming a aunty!

[Eileen]

Congratulations on your upcoming auntie status Kiran! I am thinking a gift cert for a restaurant that is close to where they live. Save her cooking and food prep for a night or two leading up to the delivery.

[betheny]

I tend to buy something for Mommy. Baby is usually covered until the next growth stage. I love the idea of the birthstone...maybe a necklace w/ a raw stone of the baby's birthstone? When you have a natural birth you are supposed to take in a small item to focus on. A raw stone is perfect for that, and will always remind her of the day her baby came to stay.

Blech, sorry, I'm sentimental. But my go-to items are a book of nursery rhymes to read to the baby and/or a pretty bit of bling for Mommy.

Is she registered anywhere? That system is by far the most practical way to go.

[brucec]

maybe a maid service to come out to her house once or twice after birth?

[Chris Chappell]

I agree about getting something for the mom. And maybe the dad? How about a bottle of wine? a basket of crackers, cheeses, etc.? Or his/her massages?
A nice dinner out?

Congratulations on being an aunt Kiran. :)

[HereToLearn]

I like a lot of the suggestions so far. One fun thing I've seen is a really cute teddy bear or something with this idea: They take a picture of just the baby and the bear (beside it or propped up with it safely) on the day they are born...then like 1 week....2 weeks...each month...and then as they are older on their birthday. I have a friend that has these shots who is in college - it is a pretty cute idea especially when they are little b/c the teddybear (or whatever animal) is a good thing to see how much they are growing!

or - a silver baby spoon that can become a christmas ornament (tied onto the tree w/cute ribbon)

[KiranA]

Thanks all for your ideas. I decided I would rather take my time to think of something than rush to find something to send tomorrow. I'm going to explore the suggestions here but I'm leaning towards the idea of a charm bracelet with a bootie which I can get engraved with the little one's name and a gift certificate for a full pedicure and massage. I can hardly wait!! :D

[mags85]

lavender drops they will help her sleep and relax and she can put them on the cot for the baby

[-scott-]

another idea, research local photographers... find a great one & book a newborn session.

congrats. :)

[jody]

we got a digital picture frame as a gift for someone. it was really neet. easy to add photos too, not too expensive, we added some pictures befor giving, and took more and added at the event. id love one.

[brucec]

we got a digital picture frame as a gift for someone. it was really neet. easy to add photos too, not too expensive, we added some pictures befor giving, and took more and added at the event. id love one.

they are nice, i gave out about 5 of them for christmas to family members, bought the 7" size, holds 2gigs. family loved them