thread: bomboniere or favors for hospital

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    australia
    68

    favors for hospital

    i have noticed that some people do favor boxes for guests who vist them in hospital?
    Does anyone know what they usually provide their guests with? is it just sugar coated almonds?
    Last edited by star child; July 11th, 2009 at 05:35 PM.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Croydon, Victoria
    1,754

    I havnt heard of that one!! Dont think I will be doing that, I also dont think people would at all be expecting a gift from a new family.

    But if you really did want to give something, sugared almonds may not be aloud in the hospital because of nut allergies etc. Prob check with the hospital.

    ETA- I think a cuddle of my baby is gift enough!!

  3. #3
    Lucy in the sky with diamonds.

    Jan 2005
    Funky Town, Vic
    7,070

    OMG, now I've heard everything!

    How ridiculous - the last thing I'd be doing on the way to hospital is packing frilly crap full of gifts for everyone else.

    Traditionally its for wedding only.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    May 2007
    Home
    2,050

    i couldn't imagine anyone expecting a gift for visiting your new bub!

    I really wouldn't worry about it, YOURE the one who will be getting the pressies!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    112

    That definately is a NEW one!! - I've never heard of this before.

    Hubby giving out cigars is enough for me!!

    You will have so much preparation for bubs arrival, last thing you should be doing is making up gifts for visitors!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    Huh...?

    Not something I'd bother with for the hospital. You could save that for the christening if you really wanted to do it.

  7. #7
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2006
    South Eastern Suburbs, Vic
    6,054

    Is it something your family do? Perhaps it's a tradition for some cultures?
    I wouldn't feel any pressure to do it though. If it's a fun thing that will keep you busy in the days before, then go for it, but I don't think it's usually an expected thing, I've certainly never heard of it.
    I do know that afterwards people often send out a 'thankyou' card with a pic of bub to people who brought presents for baby, so perhaps that's something you could do?

    If you give out favours I'll come and visit you though.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Perth
    3,686

    OMG, really?! Without sounding selfish, I'll be expecting the pressies!!

    I'd be shocked if my friends and family expected a gift for visiting us and our new family member!! Gosh, I really hope this isn't a new trend.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    In my own private paradise
    15,272

    never heard of it for a hospital visiting thing! like there isn't enough pressure on you as a new mum with establishing feeding and stuff, you shouldn't have to worry about giving out presents and things as well!

    i've been to christenings where they have had gifts for the guests (but only ever our Greek friends - don't go getting ideas Sam - not happenin! lol).

    we sent out birth announcement cards, and will be doing a thankyou card after E is baptised, covering gifts she got right from when we announced we were pg through to her baptism. we've kept a list of stuff and it will go in her memory box with cards and things.

    can't say i'd have done anything in hospital though - you need to be focussing on you and your new bubba, not gifts for people that visit!

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Sydney
    7,896

    When I visited Dutch friends of mine after she gave birth last year they had a traditional food that is given to guests who visit - a kind of a hard bread/cracker (forgot the name sorry!) with an aniseed spread. It was quite sweet and yummy actually - and I loved that I was experiencing something from a different culture. Apparently the aniseed is supposed to help the mother's milk (she's supposed to eat some with the guests).

    I haven't heard of anything else like this though. But then, I haven't visited that many people from different backgrounds having babies.

  11. #11

    Mar 2004
    Sparta
    12,662

    In Afghani culture they eat (Mum and visitors) a sort of nutty pastey kinda thing flavoured with cardamom after birthing but the Mum isn't expected to make it - someone else makes it for her. It's full of protein and fibre so it's pretty good for you.
    I guess if you're in that nesting mode and you've cleaned your house 4 times then making gifts might be a fun project but I sure as hell wouldn't expect a gift from a new mum.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Mar 2004
    1,547

    I like the idea of sharing a special kind of food with visitors after having a baby...if somebody else made it!

    I have never known anyone to give gifts to visitors though - thankyou cards yes, a few weeks after the birth as a courtesy to those who gave you a gift, and birth announcement cards, but never bomboniere.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    Dulwich Hill, Sydney
    23

    Actually, I do remember visiting a friend in hospital several years ago who had little teddybear chocolates - that didn't seem like such a big deal. She just had a bag of them for visitors and they could take one - I think they were wrapped in blue because it was a boy.