.
By STEPHANIE WAKEFIELD
A girlfriend of mine recently gave birth to a gorgeous girl.
She had a c-section and given this, I allowed for a grace period of 5 days before I went to admire her new bundle of joy.
En-route to her house I stopped at my local grocery store where Luigi helped me fill a large cardboard box with fruit, vegetables and nuts.
Upon arrival, I knocked on the door and was let in by the newly appointed ‘Grandma’.
I was faced with an amazing sight – a mini florist.
There were flowers on the coffee table, flowers on the dining table, flowers on the stairs, flowers on the dogs bed… you name it – there were flowers sitting on it.
Moving a bunch of lilies to the side, I squeezed my giant box of goodies onto the table.
As my friend gingerly rose from the couch, her face filled with absolute pleasure at the sight of this cardboard box.
After gracing her with a hug and kiss, she took me by the shoulders and looked me deep in the eyes – she said with full sincerity “thank you so much for not bringing flowers”.
She looked exhausted, joyous and starving… yes, such a combination of emotions does exist.
As she riffled through the food, she was amazed.
“This is honestly the best idea. Why didn’t anyone else think of this? If I get one more bunch of flowers I swear…”.
Her voice was lost somewhere between the capsicums and avocados.
As I peered at the surrounding florist shop, it struck me that in about 4 days (quality pending) she would have to empty all of the vases. Either that or live with the wretched smell of rotting stems. Not an ideal task for her stitches.
Chatting away about her new little girl, I chopped up some fruit and veg and placed them in Tupperware containers in the fridge. Then the OCD in me kicked in – so I had to do a quick tidy up with my mate ‘Ajax spray and wipe’.
Urging my girlfriend to resume her seat on the couch, I whizzed through a little list of odd jobs. They were the kind of jobs that are generally quick and easy… unless you’ve just had a c-section.
It was all thirsty work and I was tempted to help myself to a glass of cold water… and then I remembered all the glasses had flowers in them.
Don’t get me wrong – flowers are gorgeous and they certainly have their time and place. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here, there is only so much vase arranging one can do, especially after giving birth.
As I was leaving, my friend desperately tried to push a bunch of flowers into my arms.
“Here, please take some! It’s a thank-you for all that delicious food you brought over…”.
I couldn’t accept them though. It wasn’t my moral ticker chiming up and saying “well Steph, you haven’t screamed, had stitches or given birth – so do you really deserve them?” No. I simply didn’t like azaleas.
Food = 1, Flowers = 0.
Steph Wakefield has got a long bucket list. At 24, she is the founder and owner of My Super Nanny, a free online service for parents to find child care. In order to provide this free service to the lucky parents of Australia, she makes a dollar with freelance marketing and modelling.
Flowers or food – what would you prefer? What do you take to friends if they’re in hospital or sick?
Comments
204 Comments so far
Hello Kim,I can relate to your pain. I have a torn retna in my right eye and have gone through two surgeries with it.Like you I still need to keep up with my blog, and everything is still blurry
loading...
I am allergic to most flowers – basically babies breath, roses, gardenias and gerberas are the only flowers that don’t make me sneeze. Wattle is the worst closely followed by lilies. Sneezing is just about the most painful thing one can do after having pushed a watermelon-sized child out of ones uterus (coming a close second to pooping).
EVERYONE knows that I can’t stand cut flowers. Apart from the sneezing, I also find them a bit depressing. They are just going to wither and die and then I am going to have to throw out this thing that someone spent quite a bit of money on. EVERYONE knows this. And just in case everyone didn’t, my husband tactfully included it on his “We’ve just had a baby” announcement text/facebook post/emails. And guess what? The only person that decided “Let’s get Kate a big bunch of flowers!” was my inlaws. They were delivered while I was in the ensuite of my room showering. I started sneezing in the ensuite and was genuinely convinced my uterus was going to fall out on the tiled floor. When I got dry and dressed, I promptly walked to the nurses station and dumped the floral abomination (Complete with wattle AND lilies!) on their desk and asked would it be ok for any further deliveries of flowers to be left there. My aunt was the best, though. She sent me a bouquet of CHOCOLATE!!!! If you haven’t seen them – Lollypots are the best idea ever! A Balloon and some sweeties and I was in heaven.
(Oh, and for a follow-up performance, my Inlaws did the exact same thing when I had my second child!!!)
loading...
While my own ‘Caesarian’ experience is over a decade on, one of my most cherished memories was that of a work colleague (already a working mum) who dropped in after work with a few nights worth of meals. With a poorly healing wound, blossoming mastitis and a sleep allergic baby, the thoughtfulness of that gift moved me to tears. Okay, so pretty much EVERYTHING moved me to tears at that point, but you know what I mean. I now NEVER send flowers to the hospital, but stick to sending, or taking, some thing home.
loading...
Just thought of something funny- yesterday when I went to see my friend who just had a baby, I left her my card and gift (wrapped) and told her it contained beanies for her boy. “Not blue I hope!” She said. I smiled and said “Yep, Blue!!!”. “Aww you know I love green” was her response and she showed me all the gorgeous green stuff people had given her. I got home to see a beautiful pic on my Facebook account with the turquoise beanie on. I mightn’t be the best friend, but I’m still a daggy good friend
loading...
People give flowers to show they care. They are expensive things to buy. Possibly your friend could appreciate the fact that she actually has so many who care about her, who would be there in an instant for anything her and her daughter needed! I think the story here, is that your friend made a miracle happen, a beautiful baby girl; not that you were there, without flowers with precise day 5 timing and the right gift in hand. Sure flowers may not the best gift for an exhausted, overwhelmed new mum, but they are a token of people’s love for her and her daughter worthy of appreciation.
loading...
I love filling up every vase in my home with flowers from my garden. It gives me an amazing lift to walk into a room and see them in all their beauty. I couldn’t bring myself to pay for flowers though – too expensive, too fleeting. I buy indoor plants instead – great value for money, long lived and just as beautiful.
loading...
we sell lots of practical gifts, all australian-made and no flowers. we deliver australia-wide by courier.
i started our shop shortly after the birth of my first child as i wanted to provide an alternative that was more eco-friendly, useful and beautifully-made than what i could find.
http://www.giftboxology.com.au
loading...
Jen, your site looks great! I have just discovered it through the comments from the article here…… but when I went to your site and tried to e-mail you, I couldn’t for the life of me find a ‘contact us’ link… In the ABOUT US section it says that I can do so through the link on your home page, but I can’t find…… feel very stupid…… Just wanted to say that you could call one of the baby boxes ‘the one bedroom apartment baby gift box’. Too many people buy dumb gifts for people who no space. Keep up the great site!
loading...
thank you so much for posting a reply on mamamia.
yes, you are correct, there doesn’t appear to be a contact us link on our website and i am truly sorry for that. when we updated our website we neglected to do this, will change immediately!
and thank you so much for your kind words. we are closing our store in a couple of weeks, so if you would like anything please let me know!
warm regards,
jen
loading...
Birthdays are special days and exquisite floral arrangements can make them even more special. Some breath-taking flower boquets for birthday http://www.floogoo.com/occasion/birthday
loading...
After recently enduring pelvic surgery, similar to a C-Section, but without a baby, I have been spending my downtime laying back. I received a few bunches & boxes of flowers. I agree while they are lovely for the short time they last, the best gifts have been food. Whilst my partner has been wonderful preparing meals, it has also taken the pressure off him after he has slogged out at work all day, to come home & have some r&r together, eating food provided by friends. Very thoughtful of you Steph to take food to your friend & can understand fully, their appreciation of it.
I’ve also appreciated the books & magazines that some have bought around too.
Lastly, it may be worth mentioning, after invasive surgery where it can take around 6 weeks to recover, it’s great when people continue their supportive visits or contact,at least, after the standard first 2 weeks at home.
)
Speaking from personal experience, it does seem people drop off after those initial 2 weeks & wait for the full recovery to kick in. I appreciate all the support I get to assist my convalescence.
loading...
When my mother passed away, my house resembled a florist’s shop. I’d never seen so many flowers in one place before (including a florist’s). Luckily most of them came in those small boxes so I didn’t have to worry about vases. The cards people wrote were so touching and so were the flowers, some from people I didn’t know that well. Anyway, I think that’s different to sending flowers to post natal mothers though.
When ever a friend has a baby, I never buy flowers, for the exact reason stated in the post. Why waste $20 on something that’s dead in four days when you can buy pyjamas? I ALWAYS buy size 1 pyjamas and those plastic rings linked together, wrap it up and hand it over. The pj’s always look ginormous next to a tiny newborn, but, as they say and we all know, that little mite will be in them before you know it.
loading...
love flowers, send them to me anytime!
loading...
I’m a fan of sending one of these for new babies:
http://www.giftboxology.com/collections/baby
Practical and awesome (plus, a stuffed carrot? I think so!). I think this site was where I first read about giftboxology ages ago and I’ve been sending boxes for friends’ babies ever since. Now that I’m pregnant I’m kind of hoping someone sends one to me…!
loading...
hi Sarah!
thank you so much for your lovely words!
congrats on the pregnancy. are you still in Armidale?
i will send you something
Jen
loading...
After i gave birth to my stillborn daughter last year, our house resembled a florist. Within a few days, the flowers started to die reminding me more of death. I really don’t like flowers anymore.
One friend brought over a meal which was great as we really didn’t feel like cooking after what had happened. We had to force ourselves to eat as it was…
I am due to give birth to my Rainbow baby soon, and i will be requesting people donate money to SIDS and Kids instead of buying flowers for the birth of our baby.
loading...
Beautiful idea. Thinking of you…. Xxx
loading...
When my daughter was born my mother turned up with two dozen freshly baked chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing. These birthday cakes were handed to any midwife, doctor or lactation consultant who stepped into the room and from then on we got spectacular care! For five days she kept replacing the treats and the attentive treatment from staff never ended. I hope se does it again this time!
loading...
I love flowers. One of the best gifts you can give me. And I love seeing what type of flowers people pick to give. Yes they do die, but while they’re alive I think they bring so much happiness.
loading...
When I had my baby I loved all the flowers I got in hospital. It made me feel so special and loved.
But generally, when my husband buys me flowers, all I can think is ‘great, now I have to find a vase, and in 3 days, I’ll have to clean slimy, dead flowers away and pick up all the fallen petals’. I thought I was the only person who was so ungrateful about receiving flowers, so I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one!
loading...
Me too! I feel so ungrateful but they are such a waste of money and they just die.
loading...
When I had my daughter, I got one bunch of flowers! I was expecting more lol. But the best gift was from a parent in my husband’s class (he is a primary school teacher). The mum gave us a voucher for a company that provides home cleaners or home midwife. We chose the cleaner! It was fabulous!
loading...
The way I see it, everyone who knows me knows that almost all flowers make me sneeze. So after my kid was born, I got some home cooked meals courtesy of my dad, some hot coffee and chocolate. Books once I got home, and mum came and helped with the housework while I was still out of sorts. (My mum did the same thing when I was ill the other week – came over to watch my son while I spent 3 days hurling, and at some point I realized she’d done my housework! She’s a good egg. Don’t worry, it works both ways. I fix all her technology and help her shop online.)
loading...
Haha! When I was in hospital with my first, my cousin (who had a baby a few months prior) rocked up with magazines and snacks — oreos and some other snack. At first I was like, heh, thanks? Then about midnight, during a feed/nappy change I was STARVING! I looked through the bag and scoffed down some oreos! I was so greatful after that, and read magazines during the day when no one was visiting. I appreciated the food and magazines more than the flowers!
loading...
This!!!!! I got a few flowers when my daughter was born earlier this year, but the things I was given heaps of and in some cases double-ups were PINK clothes. Don’t get me wrong, it was lovely and especially exciting for those on DH’s side of the family where there are only boys but I had so much pink stuff I didn’t know what to do with it all in the end, and a lot of the clothes didn’t get worn.
It was my dearest wish that people who came to see me would have rocked up with a cooked meal, or a book for my daughter rather than flowers, teddy bears, or another pink dress but unfortunately it didn’t happen. Next time I am going to have a “stork the freezer” baby shower and ask people to bring frozen meals rather than a gift for the baby.
loading...
One of my mates rocked up with a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone when my son was born and said, “I know he’s way too young for Harry, but he’s not too young to hear about magic.”
loading...
I love this. I’ve told my husband he should start reading to my belly (I’m nearly 20weeks pregnant) and he said he would read Harry Potter and was a bit amazed when i said go for it
loading...
I give books to babies too. My 9 year old nephews have my copy of Philosopher’s Stone. I made reading the books before the movies part of the loan conditions.
loading...
Send Hope Not Flowers! There’s an article on this new charity in Mammamia Cares. What a fantastic idea. Someone sent a card to my friend who recently gave birth…It was just lovely and you can put a personal message in the card and the money couldn’t go to a better cause. She was thrilled.
Better than spending money on flowers that will go in the bin after a week…
loading...
A staff members wife had a baby recently and I was tasked with “sending flowers”. While childless I understand how useless flowers are and so ordered a gift basket of bibs singlets onesies that are presented like a bunch of flowers. Have done this a couple of times now, and always they’ve been well received.
loading...
I must be the only person that doesnt like the thought of anyone else doing my housework, even people I am close too. I dont find it that overwhelming and would just feel uncomforatble wiht someone else doing it. But thats just me.
loading...
I would feel an overwhelming desire to “clean up” before they cleaned. I’m a bit neurotic like that lol.
loading...
I’m normally that person but the birth of my DD was traumatic, I was crippled with pain from my c-section and my baby stayed in the hospital after I was discharged so I commuted in and out of the city every day to, er, visit my newborn. It completely changed how I felt about having other people in my house.
loading...
I love sending a ‘Little Black Table’ box which contains everything needed to set a beautiful dining table and create a restaurant atmosphere – because you can’t go out as easily after a baby arrives – as well as relationship help in the form of ‘Relationship Cards’ that get couples really communicating – especially important with the pressure of becoming parents. It’s always well received!! http://www.littleblacktable.com.au
loading...
I love the idea and your website is really beautiful! I want them all!
loading...
My grand daughter had a baby last year, after a few suggestions from friends i knitted her a giant shawl: 7 ft wide and came down to her calves.
WHy? it was her present not the babies, it was to keep warm when breast feeding.
She tells me she is using it this winter as well, it is her comfort rug.
I also gave her magazines, food etc. In my family many of us are allergic to the perfume from flowers. so sad but horrible as well.
loading...
That’s a brilliant idea. It’s quite difficult to breast feed when you’re cold. The cold does horrible things to nipples!
loading...
I love fresh flowers!
loading...
If you friend tried to give you the bunch of flowers that I so thoughtfully purchased after the birth of her baby I would be most offended! Especially if I called around and asked to see which bunch was the one I ordered! Rude!
loading...
I never bring flowers … if I know someone well enough I’ll cook a couple of dinners for them.
But sometimes I’m then left without anything to bring, if I don’t know them well enough!
loading...
I get really depressed by flowers. Yep, they’re beautiful – but they’ve been cut from the ground, so they’ll be dead in just a few days. That’s all I think of when I get them.
Give me a potted plant or chocolates over flowers any day!
loading...
Same here, there’s something in my head everytime I get flowers that says, “Great, a bunch of death. You got me something I can sit and watch die”. But maybe I’m just morbid. =D
loading...
I loved getting flowers after my son was born (I only got one bunch) but the friend who came over, made me tea, changed his nappy when he woke up, gave me a footrub once he was down and then cracked out a bag of goodies containing wipes, nappies, baby nail clippers, ferrero rochers and a BIIIIIIG tub of beautiful moisturiser for me was my favourite.Grace, if you read this, I love you and you are my favourite.
loading...
In a newborn situation, I always buy pads and baby panadol, things that you always run out of when it’s raining and baby is asleep.
loading...
At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I hated getting flowers after having my baby. It meant finding vases, arranging flowers and then throwing them out later on. I always arrive with food , biscuits and tea because that is what I kept running out of in the first few weeks after giving birth.
loading...
I got sent one of those bouquets of singlets, nappies, socks etc all wrapped up & made to look like real flowers. It was such a nice gift & a talking point for visitors. I now send those to new mums in hospital. It was personalized with my sons name – just beautiful.
loading...
I love those!!!They are so beautiful and you could keep it forever if you wanted to.
loading...
I loved the flowers and was grateful for everything else I was given, but I must admit the gift that has stuck with me the most did contain food! I was starving all the time in the first few days after giving birth and being in hospital you’re a bit limited by what and when you can eat.
The gift was given to me by a friend (whom I didn’t know overly well) that had not long become a mum herself, and it was so thoughful because it contained a gift for my hubby as well as little treats for me such as food to snack on in the middle of the night, a magazine and other little goodies. Very thoughful and obviously bought by somone who just knew….
loading...
I like hearing different reasons why not everyone likes or sends flowers. For me, a house or room full of flowers reminds me of when my brother died, even though it was 17 years ago. If something joyous or tragic happens to a friend or family member, my Mum thinks its most ungracious that i’m not keen on sending flowers. I prefer to give a nice candle, photo frame or notebook/journal instead. And they last
loading...
Love flowers but after dad’s funeral i now definitely have an aversion to lilies.
loading...
You box of goodies would have been very appreciated. Great idea!
loading...
Nope…always bring me flowers. Thank you x
loading...
I agree!!! Flowers are beautiful.
loading...
My God I agree. Something which was once beautifully flowering in nature, killed & left in my house to decay. Hate it! Please just call me!!! Do not send flowers. I asked my husband before the birth of our baby recently “Do you think it’s ok to say “in lieu of flowers…” in the birth announcement, like they do in death notices?” He said “NO”
loading...
Food!! I still remember my lovely friend bringing my husband and I Thai takeaway, my favourite tea bags, chocolate and a punnet of strawberries to the hospital. My baby had been transferred to another hospital and I was utterly miserable and this little gesture was gratefully received amongst the flowers and baby clothes, blankets and soft toys that I couldn’t bear to look at. My sister in law then showered us with a supply of homemade food, fruit and chocolate during our months stay at the children’s hospital. I don’t really remember the other gifts we were given but I do remember the food!!
loading...
Flowers are a lovely gesture but I would much prefer food over flowers- as I get hayfever from some types. I don’t have kids but on my birthday, I would much rather get cake than flowers
In terms of new mothers/ loss of a relative, I think food is more appreciated and useful
loading...
I do too. I had to get my husband to take some of them home, so that I wasn’t continually sneezing or rubbing at my eyes.
loading...
I have just started a business in Northern NSW called ‘Stork To Your Fork’ I deliver delicious, nutritionally balanced to new mummas and their families after the birth or a baby. The feedback so far has been fabulous. I came up with the concept while on maternity leave when my friends had babies I filled their freezers while they were in hospital. They all loved it. Glad to see people love the food gift. Check out my website.
http://www.storktoyourfork.com.au
loading...
i love this Tess! good on you, have just been checking out your website, i think it is a fantastic idea. eating well when you have a little bub to care for (as well as other big and small people) in those initial weeks/months is just the most difficult thing.
wishing you every success with your business, i have no doubt it will be a great success.
loading...
I usually come and visit the new Mum and bring over some lunch for us to share. My friends have appreciated the adult conversation and not having to worry about a meal. I bring something fresh and tasty like roast veggie salad and crusty bread, then something decadent for dessert, if we get to it. I always leave a little assembly so I can do some dishes or tidy while I just happen to be in the kitchen
And added bonus if I make heaps and leave the leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
Love all the other ideas on the comments too.
loading...
I’m really practical, so when the captain of our all-women soccer team had a baby, we did a collection, and I organised a home delivery meal service. We ended up buying her 5 meals for 4 (she already had 2 kids), which was 5 meals that she and hubby didn’t need to cook or shop for.
There are lots of companies that do this – just google “home delivered meals”. They provide a menu (sent weekly) and the recipient just orders the meal on the net or over the phone.
While it it doesn’t have the appeal of flowers (and let’s face it, flowers are lovely), she got loads of flowers anyway, and she really appreciated the food!
loading...
My perfect gift would have been nappies, or box set of TV for late night feeds and a massage voucher that has at least a year until it expires. Glorious.
loading...
I always used to give nappies but then a couple of friends converted to the new cloth nappies and it seems a bit odd to ask if they plan to use cloth or disposables prior to the birth or present buying so I’m a bit stuck now. I never give flowers to anybody – I just can’t justify the price for something they are just going to throw away in a few days!
loading...
People who use cloth tend to be thrilled when you ask about it
We’re a little odd like that lol
loading...
Even though we quickly converted to disposables, the traditional nappies were always great for covering shoulders, wiping up spills etc. In fact after 15 years solid use for above tasks, we are lamenting the fact that most have now disintegrated…
loading...
you can always give some lovely handmade cloth wipes! so much nicer than disposable wipes and you always use. whether it is for nappy changes, bath time or meal times they make a great alternative.
loading...
A good friend of mine recently had her (second) baby in a public ward.
Having had two myself, I recalled there were few things I desired more than GOOD coffee and nibbly things.
So my BF and I turned up with fresh brewed coffee for new mum AND dad, a box of French pastries, and a platter of good cheese and crackers. The last was my amazing bloke’s idea; he reminded me that soft cheese is something women have to give up when we’re pregnant.
Everything was much appreciated. My friend later told me that not only was it great to have stuff to nibble on, rather than wait for the boring bland hospital meals, but it also meant she had some food to offer visitors when they called later that day.
loading...
When mum was having chemo she was instructed by her oncologist NOT to have any flowers or plants in the house, so food gifts, massage or beauty vouchers, and book, magazines and DVDs were most welcome gifts. People were so kind and understanding as well – she wasn’t allowed visitors for a while and yet we had many a gift left on the doorstep with a note to say they would catch up with her as soon as she was allowed.
loading...
I’ve heard that before about chemo patients regarding flowers and plants. Do you know why?
loading...
Hey anon, I’m not Shaezy but my understanding is that flowers and plants can bring in pathogens, which are a risk because chemo patients often have lowered immune systems.
Sometimes certain smells can trigger severe nausea too, even ones that the patient may have loved before, like roses.
loading...
Thanks Anonymous! I should have explained that. It’s quite common for chemo patients. I’m not sure about radiation treatment etc.
loading...
When visiting friends who have just given birth I always take some frozen meals (bought not homemade – I’m not a very good cook). I think it’s nice to try to look after the new mum. Having said that flowers are lovely too.
loading...
Just before I went on maternity leave 5 years ago I spoke with the girl at our work that handles all the flower sending for sepacial occasions.
Since then it has become a tradition at our work as all new mums loved this idea!
I asked her politely to not bother with flowers as it would be too much for me to take home with babay and all. Instead they sent me nappies
loading...
There’s lots of great gift ideas in these comments. I’m struggling for an upcoming baby shower pressie – any thoughts?
loading...
Hi Kate, I like to get my friends a “goodnight, sleep tight” bundle – two or three of my favourite books (go for the classics – where the wild things are, wilfred gordon mcdonald partridge, goodnight moon or for a giggle Happy Hippo Angry Duck), a pair of little pyjamas and a home made softie toy.
Otherwise I’ve found that new mums really appreciate a bag full of practical things – singlets, soft washers, wraps, towels, wipes etc and something nice for her – aesop hand cream is always a winner. It sounds boring but handy!
loading...
Nappies always go down well – maybe in the next size up to newborn (so 5-8 kilo’s) or swim nappies which cost a fortune. If your friend is thinking about using cloth nappies (MCN’s) you could either buy her one (they are in general fairly costly to set up with) or if you’re like me and on a budget(!) some hypoallergenic clothes washing powder/liquid and/or nappy liners, and/or scented nappy bags and/or wipes.
Things that I really appreciated were a ‘mixed pack’ of Take and Toss plasticware, Heinz Spoons (so good when DD was teething), and baby shampoo/wash.
For my sister-in-law I’m collecting all the things that you don’t think you’ll need (or don’t want to run out of in the middle of the night) – bonjella/infant paracetemole (sp?)/dummy (you can buy the ones they use at the hospital to promote sucking in preemie babies so that they’re breastfeeding friendly)/bottle and bottle-brush etc
loading...
Kate, b mentioned some great ideas. I’ve also given CDs of classical music for mums to play to bubs when they are trying to get them to sleep. Good CD shops and department stores will have a bunch of different types to choose from, for specific age groups and with classical music, lullabies, softer versions of popular songs etc.
Wraps and soft little blankets are also good for draping over prams, putting on the floor, for mum if she wants to cover up while breastfeeding, and so on.
I also like giving gifts just for mum and dad, since the baby often gets too much for the parents to know what to do with.
loading...
A good baby thermometer especially for a first baby. First time baby gets sick you will be elevated to No. 1 friend.
loading...
what about a beautiful handmade wooden teether or rattle? something that will become a keepsake?
or a lovely handmade cot or pram blanket? these are always useful when you go to the park or in the car.
loading...
A friend brought my husband and me some chocolates when we had a baby. It was nice. I like buying flowers for people, but recently have been buying potted plants like orchids, which last forever (almost). I do like baking little treats for people too, like biscuits and cakes, as I don’t always know whether they will like what I’ve cooked them for a meal!
loading...