Baby Gift Protocol

[fluffhead]

Most people gave a gift for my older daughter when giving us baby gifts.
So when we give gifts for new babies where the family has 2 older kids, is this still necessary? How old does the older sibling have to be before you can ignore them in the gift giving? Or is it OK to forego it when there's more than one older sibling?
I can see this getting expensive for larger families...

[mommax3]

Hey Fluff,

This is a toughie. I tend to get a gift for AN older sibling, because I think it is important for them if they are feeling at all displaced by the new baby. When there is more than one older sibling, I try to get a baby gift and a "group" gift for the older ones, like a video/DVD or something they can both/all play with.

I don't think anyone expects a gift for the older sibling(s) but it is sure a nice gesture when it happens.

Sally

[fluffhead]

Sally,
the video is a great idea - I think we'll go with that.

[mommax3]

Videos also buy frazzled/sleep deprived parents precious minutes to tend to the baby, start a load of laundry, think about what is for dinner, or just close their eyes for a second......but I am guessing that you already knew that.

Sally

[PrincessFiona]

I like the idea of a video too!!!

kris

[fluffhead]

Videos also buy frazzled/sleep deprived parents precious minutes to tend to the baby, start a load of laundry, think about what is for dinner, or just close their eyes for a second

huh? I thought that's what benadryl was for???
(just kidding!!!)

[SuzySunshine]

I agree with Sally, I give a gift to the older child if the new baby is the 2nd child because so many times they are forgotten. I don't feel its necessary when the new baby is number 3+.

[SueC]

Yeah, we got it more when baby#2 arrived than when baby#3 came. A video is a good idea, we also received coloring books and crayons, which I thought was a nice, inexpensive way to make other siblings feel special.

We also got gifts for my dd when ds was born. I actually think she got more expensive/elaborate gifts then my son. I briefly remember thinking wow when she got one of those Zapff Creation Dolls. Anyway I would always give a little something to a brother or sister too.

[peggyfromwastate]

One of the nicest baby gifts I ever got for Luke was actually an activity kit for the twins. It rides around with us in the van-- it has coloring books, markers, crayons, etc, all in a plastic container with a lid. The idea was that if I had to stop for an emergency nursing or whatever, I'd have something on hand for the twins to use. We've used it at doctor's apps, at the hospital, etc. It's been very helpful! Since Luke is #4, though, I really didn't need any more baby stuff (not that we haven't accumulated lots more of baby stuff...)