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13 August 2008

Gifts for a second child? To MeCha parents of >1 kid: What's a good baby gift for parents who already have a lot of stuff?[More:]Two of my work friends (so, not close friends, but friends nonetheless) are having their second kid sometime in the next month or so. Each of them already has a kid (one has a boy, one has a girl) and they are both having boys. Both kids are coming within 2 years of their previous kid and I know they already have all the big stuff they need. As well as stuff like books, blankets etc. What are some good things to give them that would be useful or especially appreciated? Or should I just go with a giftcard?
A pack of condoms?
posted by eekacat 13 August | 13:59
disclaimer: i haven't any children.

I like the idea of a gift certificate. I would put it in a card with a small, very nice picture frame for the baby's room.
posted by MonkeyButter 13 August | 14:07
[Upon a re-read of your post, maybe a child's book for the 2 year-old and gift certificate for the parents. I'm sure the older child will really appreciate feeling special, too.]
posted by MonkeyButter 13 August | 14:11
We had friends that, for both of the kids, sent some gourmet treats right after I got out of the hospital. That was awesome because while I was drowning in baby supplies, what I didn't have enough of was fudge-covered Oreos.

We also got some cute matching Big Sister/Little Brother t-shirts, which made the girl feel more included.

Or you could make up a basket of things that you can never have too many of...like cloth diapers (for burping and vomit wiping!), onesies (they crap through them with alarming frequency), cute baby socks (easily lost). The first kid has probably chewed through all the baby teethers and board books in the house, too.

And then there's my favorite baby product...RashStick. It's diaper rash stuff that goes on like deodorant so your hands don't get all goopy. I mention this not so much because it would make a good present, but because you should totally lay in a supply for the Podelette.
posted by jrossi4r 13 August | 14:13
Fresh stuffed animals that haven't been chewed on yet are always nice, I think (not a parent, just an observation).

I've also given new books (especially board books, see above: chewing).
posted by Sil 13 August | 14:13
Oh! You know what else was awesome, that I bought for myself but wish someone had given me? This Baby's First Year Calendar. I was terrible at keeping a baby book for my first kid, and knew it just wasn't going to happen for #2. But sticking a sticker on the right day, I can do. (I also got the matching Big Sister book for the girl, but it sounds like your friends' kids are still too young for that.)
posted by jrossi4r 13 August | 14:17
Anything that's "personalized" for the 2nd kid, not necessarily with like a name engraved or anything (though that could be nice), but something that really belongs solely to the kid. I feel bad for our little one sometimes...everything is a hand-me-down from his big brother. "Daddy, where did I get this robot?" "Uh, that's your brother's trash." This is not very specific advice and I know it's pretty hard to personalize a gift for an unborn person, but just something to keep in mind.
posted by danostuporstar 13 August | 14:27
A few months of maid service.
posted by Ardiril 13 August | 14:31
"a" maid service... I'm still on my first cup of coffee this morning.
posted by Ardiril 13 August | 14:32
Photo-related stuff. Speaking as someone who was a fourth child (or seventh, if you count my foster sisters) and who has *zero* baby pictures of herself.
posted by Orange Swan 13 August | 15:12
Something I do that's always well-received is to buy a small-ish longstitch kit with a babby-appropriate picture, make it up (small-ish and longstitch so it's 3-4 hours to make, I do it while watching TV) and either frame it for hanging on the wall or make it into a cushion cover. Handmade, personal and inexpensive, but of course I have no idea if such a thing would be your cup of tea!

posted by goo 13 August | 15:33
I like the baby's first year calendar idea.

A card with a movie gift certificate and restaurant certificate for first date night out without baby is good. Offer to babysit. (Just kidding.)

Get them something both kids can enjoy, like a height chart.

Books. They don't have to be baby board books. Any children's book(s) is a great present. You can never have enough. Even more special is books you enjoyed as a child.
posted by LoriFLA 13 August | 16:43
When my ex-husband was born (he was brother number three out of three), brother number one asked if they could send back brother number two now. Nothing like brotherly love.
posted by Pips 13 August | 18:12
Gifts for a second child?

a third child. he'll need someone of his own to ignore.
posted by jonmc 13 August | 19:46
RashStick! How did I even survive?! Damn I wish that had been around.

Small toy for the first kidlet is good, and anything really small and disposable - onesies, bibs, washcloths.

Maid service or babysitting credits or something like it, too. Mompop will be chasing older kid around while trying to keep younger kid from dissolving the first few months, and that gets pretty tiring.
posted by lysdexic 13 August | 21:25
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