Unborn sibling to give a present to the current child

[carolinaw]

My cousin sister wants to buy a present for her 1st girl and says it is from the unborn sibling. Have you guys practiced this before? How to choose the present or just bring the girl to choose?

[~ Mylitta ~]

When I had my daughter we bought a little Thomas the Tank Engine toy for my son as a gift from his sister. Our idea was to pop it under the blanket she was wrapped in and when he came to see her we would open the blanket so she could "give" it to him. When he got to the hospital we hadn't quite popped it under her blanket yet and our little sharp-eyed monkey saw it before he even looked at his sister, lol! He was 20 months old at the time.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

DS got told that DD had a special present for him waiting at home as she came before we ended up getting the present.
He got the Cars DVD as he loves cars and it was a good integration for her coming home and having all the attention and him having something special.
If that makes sense.

[feeb]

DS2 gave DS1 a jack in the box which he loved! Was nice for him to get a present he was only 18 months old.

A few friends gave DS1 a big brother present as well.

[BlackRose]

Ooooo good idea!! Mental note on this one!!

[Phteven]

We didn't get anything from the baby to big brother because we figured that DS1 would figure out that a baby couldn't shop but we did get him some presents to say congratulations on becoming a big brother.

[ElleJay]

We got something for DS when DD was born - It's a shirt that says 'Bodyguard to my baby sister' and an activity book based on the movie Cars - and visa versa. DDs present from DS was a 'welcome to the family' one and it was a jumpsuit that says 'Cheeky baby sister'

[Rivlas]

The day our third grandchild was born I took the two boys to buy a present that they could give their sister. I also had a present for each of the boys that they got at the hospital. I cannot remember if they were jsut given them or what. I was to tired to think properly.

I know the boys loved picking out something for her, they chose clothing for her and they got trains.

I think the main thing is to keep it low key.

[LaDolceVita]

DD 'gave' DS some gifts to say "Hello Big Brother" when he came to hospital to meet her for the first time.. We got him this Trucks Activity Book that was like a white board sort of material and came with markers that he could draw in the book with and wipe off, that was great for keeping him entertained at hospital! We also got him an electric toy drill.. He thought it was great, us, hmmmm not so much haha wish we had have chosen something quieter or just left it at the book

[~Hestia~]

We had the present sitting in the little bed so it looked like it came from his little brother. From memory it was a couple of lift the flap kind of books, a couple of cars and a DVD. Stuff to keep him busy!

[mrscricket]

The twins 'gave' DS a dvd and some colouring books, and a little car. It was great because it kept him entertained while he was visiting them in hospital.

[purplepixie1978]

I'm looking to do the same thing when 2IC arrives for DD, she'll be 22 months. I'll wait for a bit to see what she likes around that time - at the moment she's nuts for toy cars and wooden peg puzzles!

[misty]

We do it the other way around. The bigger siblings buy a special 'birthday' pressent to give to the new baby. It is the new babies birthday after all, and the bigger kids get excited about choosing a present and giving it to the baby.

[*Ash*]

We didn't get anything from the baby to big brother because we figured that DS1 would figure out that a baby couldn't shop but we did get him some presents to say congratulations on becoming a big brother.

Yes, I'm with you on this. My older kids would think the same. I prefer the 'congratulations on becoming a big brother/sister' approach for older children.

ETA I like that approach too Misty.

[carolinaw]

many thanks for your replies, ladies. It's great idea that prepare present for the bigger sister, but do you think that the 1 1/2 years old girl knows the truth that unborn baby can't bring her any gift without telling her?

[feeb]

My DS1 was same age and more did it as a distraction in hospital for him.

[SareBear]

We are going to get ds a camera as a big brother present, he's always taking photos with ours, he'll be almost 3.

We are taking ds to build a bear for the new baby that he can bring when he comes to the hospital. We got 2 half price vouchers so it was perfect timing. ds can make one for himself too which I'm sure he'll be more than happy to do!

[carolinaw]

What a photo genius the little guy only 3 years old! That's a good gift for him, a camera.