What Is the Best Present You Ever Got?

I would say the bouncy seat. Newborns don't move around much and it was easy for me to do things around the house with her in it because I could bring her with me wherever I was. Also mine was deep so she loved to sleep in it and feel as though she was being held.

I just saw this question and wanted to respond although it's been a while. The BEST PRESENT I ever got as a new mom, and is still my favorite thing, is a large tote called One Trip Tote. I can put everything I need for the day in the tote and make just one trip out the door. It has been great for the kid's things while going to school, to pool, to dance, to sports events, to the lake, to the store... everywhere! When I received it, my girlfriend filled the tote with diapers and other baby necessities. I LOVE IT. I think the website it www.onetriptote.com. Check it out! Good luck!

My favorite gift at my daughter's shower was a complete laundry kit. A friend gave me a large laundry basket filled with a bottle of baby detergent, softener, stain remover, clothes hangers, and three waterproof collapsible laundry hampers to sort baby clothes into.
It was so thoughtful and turned out to be the most useful gift ever!
My daughter is now 6 and we still use those hampers. I think of that friend fondly every time I do the laundry.
-S.

How about a grocery delivery gift card? Our grocery store offers internet shopping with delivery service. We all know how hard it is to get out of the house with a baby, much less two. Let the groceries come to her for awhile.

This may sound a little off the wall and crass to some but my SIL and a friend of hers were talking about this just the other day.

Dads need "attention", too. I only had one baby not two so I can imagine how much more exhausting it is with twins. The absolute last thing on a newborn mother's mind is "couple's time". And you're not allowed for 6 weeks anyway. We discussed a "Dad's Survival Kit" complete w movies, magazines, etc. for the lonely Dad.

Maybe you could suggest this to your girlfriend and she could take care of the necessities and present them to her DH. The last thing she's going to need is her husband pestering her.

For Mommies I think a helping hand and hand me downs are most useful. We've had to purchase hardly any clothes for our son bc I have a lovley friend who passes her boys' things to us!

Diapers!!! I always felt this was the best thing to get because they are needed and you go through them pretty fast.
The best gift though that I got was a gift cert to a message. I thought that was great. it was a nice hour just for me to take a break and relax all by myself.
Another gift I think that is really good that people never seem to buy is crib sheets. I noticed after having my son I only had one set so if he wet the bed I was in a bit of a bind with no spare sheets. So a few crib sheets are always needed.

Robeez - especailly if she is a first time mom. First time mom's don't understand how FAB they are and they are expensive for a pair of "shoes." Let's face it, the cute shoes out there are just plain silly for babies. Robeez stay on their feet and keep the sock on. They are worth every penny, but it's hard to explain that to a first time mom.

Hi J.!

I have found that custom gifts and services are a great gift especially for multiples. As children's designer I fins that mini murals, artwork and hand-painted furnishings really make a space special, designating it for two little ones! Personalized hand-painted storage bins are always a practical and memorable gift too. I have been reviewed here on Mamasource and my website is www.bumblebug.com

Thanks and good luck!

O.

I would say crib sheets but also the sheet guards that protect from wetness. I would get 4-6 crib sheets in generic colors and the pads and inform the mother to layer the pads and sheets so that it goes sheet, pad sheet pad etc...s he should have at least two if not three layers on each baby's crib. That wya if the baby spits up or has a diaper leak in the middle of the night you just take off the dirty set and a clean one is underneath. I share this idea with all new mommies as it is a life saver to not have to fully make a bed in the middle of the night when you are exhausted. I also like the small zippered laundry mesh bags... I call it my baby sock saver I thnk they are technically used for washing undergarments but I found a small one at Linens and Things and if you put the socks in them to wash especially the newborn socks they do not get lost with the rest fot he laundry. A few of those along with detergent could make a nice basket.

My kids are blankie lovers, we still have the one special one they got as a gift and carry it around everywhere. (they are 4 and 2 now)

MyCarseatBlankie.com They have matching pink/brown and blue/brown combo patterns that would be so cute for twins!

The best present I got by far was bath soap for me! It sounds silly, but it reminded me to take it easy.. because we all know right after birth... nothing is really easy!

So, something pampering, feminine (I felt so unfeminine with all that baby fat!)... Soaps, nightgown, a good book, herbal tea.. whatever she is into. I did this for another mom who was surrounded by testosterone.. all boys!... and she loved it.

Woo-hoo.. twins! What a blessing!

Two things come to mind right off:

1) a handmade coupon book - like maybe you will sit for her or make her a dinner or watch the babes while she just takes a bath or a shower - that type of thing.

2) the bottles that have the nipple attached to a tube - they can't use it until they are 5 months or so, but it allows them to control the bottle - they can take the nipple in and out of their mouths - it is so their is not propping the bottle and they can essentially feed themselves. I can't remember what it is called but they have them at Babies R US.

My son will be 2 next week and I still cannot live w/o my baby sling!

My mom bought me a coach wristlet when I was pregnant (since I didn't enjoy buying clothes). I use it ALL THE TIME and have since given it (a new one) as a shower gift to a friend. I can stuff it in the diaper bag, or in my "big" purse or work/tote bag. I can also use it on its own when I finally get a date night. I can clip it on the stroller when we take walks (or on the outside of diaper bag). I use it like a wallet but it also fits lipstick and maybe a digital camera (and a tampon if need be!). Anyway, it might be a nice gift for your friend - I always like giving something personal.

The best presents I ever got, either as a shower gift or after I was home with the baby, was food! Giving your friend a month's worth of dinners that are easy for your friend, or anyone else in the house over the age of twelve, to prepare would be a lifesaver. You know once you come home and have two babies to care for, you need to eat well to keep up your strength and maintain good health. If you're looking for an easy way to accomplish this task, take a look at a meal assembly store like Dream Dinners. There are a lot of different solutions, and its fun, creative, and your friend will love you for it! All the best!

chip in with some friends for a post partum doula for them. that is a gift to the whole family!

I would say ..a double stroller..
or walkers ..to be able to keep track of them..hahah
congrats to your friend...

I have 2 year old twins. Anything that will keep them safe and stationary. Swings, Exersaucer, bouncy seats. It's so much easier to feed one or bathe one when you know the other is safe and secure. The only thing that I didn't like about these were that they took up lots of space. One baby would be in the jumperoo and one in the exersaucer. Also one of those gates that can contain them. We got a great one from One Step Ahead. Here's the link http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...
Also - just your time. A few hours a week so she can go out and go grocery shopping. Or offer to run some errands. If she is bottle feeding - Gift certificates for formula. Diapers....things that become very expensive when you have to get two. Also - a membership/gift certificate to BJ's or Sam's club. We buy most of our diapers there. I could go on...you already have lots of good suggestions.

I have twin girls. Could not go without double stroller, boppy, diaper genie and breast pump

I love my diaper bag! It's mongrammed from ll bean, my mil gave it to me and it looks like a duffel bag. My daughter is 15 months and I use it all the time. My older two still ask me to hold things too so all the pockets are great!

wow, twins! honestly, my best present was a sling! This was absolutely the most helpful gift. Any ring sling works, and the Moby Wrap you can use specifically for twins. Also a subscription to Mothering Magazine. For twins especially, I would find literature also that can help her. There (I believe) is a Dr. Sears book on twins. I like to make up "gift baskets" with a little of everything for baby showers. Perhaps a magazine, nice natural baby products like Burts Bees, Weleda or California Baby and a book on twins. Honestrly the most helpful thing was a sling!

my essentials:

sling
mothering magazine
gift cards for take out
someone to watch the babies while I shower
a massage

Ideas:
Diapers are always good.
Double stroller.
Free day of daycare.

Hi,

Being a mother of one year old g/b twins one of the best things I got was someone's time. As you know you only have so many hands and an extra set is always great!! Beyond that I loved my snap-and-go stroller that held two buckets. It made it very convenient for getting around outside the house.

ps reccomend a mothers of multiples group in her area, they can be very helpful with advice!! I belong to southcoast mothers of multiples.

S.

I am so old and practicle. My favorite shower present to give is a nice laundry basket, woven with pretty ribbon...then filled with neccessities.
Such as, diapers, powder, lotion, baby wash, Johnson's baby lotion, thermometer, medicine dropper, maybe some onsies, pacifiers, couple rattles...ect ect.
Ivory laundry detergent..ivory bar soap, a coupon for babysitting when Mum just needs to get out for a couple hours, sometimes a haircut coupon, or manicure gift certificate. I do not always put ALL these things in one basket, it is just a sample of what I do put in the basket.
I just pick up things in the sale bin at drugstore and put them in a box. WHen present time comes I have quite a bit at hand already.
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell

This is a bit nontraditional, but one of the best gifts we got was a ricepaper lantern with a colored lightbulb inside that casts images onto the paper and the ceiling. A little bit hard to describe, but it has done wonders to calm our daughter down when she's had a difficult time falling asleep. We've used it with her since she was born, and she's now 14 months old and still loves it. You can check them out at harmonylanterns.com. Good luck!

I'd say the best thing I received was my double stroller with car seats to snap in :).

Some other ideas...
Cloth diapers
Baby shower... if one isn't already planned
Gift certificate for photographer to help create memories

Sometimes the best gifts aren't baby oriented but make life a ton easier. For example I convinced my husband to let us get a portable dish washer... it is not as big as a full sized one but it certainly helps me out! Other really helpful things are certificates for her to go out somewhere special with her husband (esp. if childcare is provided so she gets some time to refresh).

Think through both things she'd need and things that she enjoys and maybe get creative :). I think most people tend to appreciate any gift that they know is given from the heart :)

Doggie ear towels, monogrammed with their names on it, from LL Bean, the kid ones not the baby ones. My twins are 4 and they still love and use them!
Another idea is a gift certificate for a night nanny. There is nothing more rewarding than a good nights sleep especially since she won't sleep for the first year of their life, no joke.
Mention to her now before they are born to join her area's twin group. They are a great support system, West Suburban MA Mothers of Twins Club, is mine for the Bolton area. When you have young twins you just don't have ANY free time even to figure out what to do. I would send out an email and would get 20 great responses with all the answers immediately. You can't beat that. PLus this group is a great place to get a lot of free and cheap baby stuff.

Hi J....Honestly the best two gifts you can give a mom pregnant with twins is 1) an hour or two postpartum doula service or the breastfeeding pillow of her choice...good luck

My double jog stroller (baby jogger city series)
2 bouncy seats
my SIL came 1 night a week to do the night feedings for a month. As did my Mom. Hubby would do 2 nights which meant I was only on for 3 nights. I breastfed but pumped since they were in the NICU and use to bottles. I kept pumping after the nicu so that I could pass the buck on the night time feedings.

I have twin 10 months olds. The gifts that I liked the most were diapers and my double stroller (McClaren). If she is planning on breastfeeding - a twin nursing pillow. Gift cards to stores like Target were also very useful.

Hi J.,
My kids are teens now, but some of the best gifts I received were a lullaby tape( now on CD); very soothing for mom & babies!; and a portable food grinder. I loved the food grinder because I could grind whatever food I was eating to feed the baby without having to bring jar food. What's more is that I could go healthy with fresh applesauce(no sugar) and steamed veggies!
Hope these ideas help!
Enjoy your liitle ones as each year brings new joys & challenges!
God Bless!
H.
CT

Hello J.
the best thing I got at my baby shower was my sons stroller because I love taking walks with him in it its a nice time for me to relax & exercise at the same time its also fresh air for me & him also a good time to explore with him even though hes 18 months and loves running around the yard he still loves his stroller I couldnt live without that at all because its a good thing to have that way you can take trips to the mall and outdoors and other places like that, I think getting her a double stroller would be the best gift but before you decide make sure if its on the regisrty if she has one it hasnt been bought yet because getting double gifts is nice but you dont need two strollers . You could by a gift now and then after her shower see what she didnt get and after maybe get some more stuff for her babies because I didnt get everything I needed and had to go buy the rest after my shower and maybe doing that would be a stress free way to help her out that right there would be a nice gift too
or you can get something just for her or her and her husband since everybody will be thiking about those babies and what they need the parents might need something alos but that is all up to you and what you are planning on spending....
good luck with finding a good gift for your friend

A sling or Moby wrap, or the Ergo carrier. I've loved them all at different stages.
A great baby monitor! Long range, clear channels = give her some freedom with confidence.

My daughter loves to be swaddled even now at 7 months old, the best present I got was a swaddle wrap (Target sells them in different sizes on-line) they velcro instead of trying to get it tight enough that they can't wiggle out but then worrying that it's too tight, I love them, I have them in multiple colors, fabrics and sizes!

I have 7month old b/g twins and the best gifts continue to be hand-me-downs, we have saved a TON of $$$ on clothing for all stages and I can go shopping in my basement whenever i need something! Our friends have been soooooo generous! I would honestly pass on as much as you can....but seriously, I could not live w/o our baby bottle props, and my twins are VERY attached to their Baby Einstein video routine (popped in at exactly 5pm, I get 28 uninterrupted, quiet mins to prep dinner and baths!) also they LOVE their Blah-Blah dolls (Lemonade the dog and Lulu the girl)-so cute, and bedtime buddies! Otherwise, best gifts have been gift cards to Target, Pottery Barn Kids, Babies R Us, etc.Good luck!

J.,

After one of my children a wonderful best friend bought me a day of beauty.... She is still my best friend!!!