When a baby is born, three things arrive: newborn clothes that never get worn, stuffed animals there's no room for, and visitors at all hours. This article is so your gift isn't any of the three. It draws on what we've learned preparing and delivering welcome gifts in Medellín.
The rule almost no one follows: think about mom, too
The baby will get twenty gifts and won't notice any of them. The one who just went through childbirth, is running on no sleep and is receiving guests all day is her. A gift that includes her is remembered far more than one more thing for the crib.
It doesn't have to be a separate gift: the best ones bring something for both. Flowers for the room and something sweet for her, plus a little something for the baby, work better than anything on its own.
Ideas that actually get used
- A welcome box with goodies for the baby and something for mom. It arrives ready and gets opened in front of visitors, which is part of the charm.
- Something sweet. After giving birth, chocolates are always appreciated, and they can be shared with whoever drops by.
- Flowers for the room. They transform the feel of a hospital room more than anything else. Medium-sized is best: space is tight.
- A reasonably sized teddy bear. The huge ones look great in photos and are a real problem to take home.
- Clothes in bigger sizes. If you're giving clothes, skip newborn size: it lasts three weeks and they'll get ten of them.
What to avoid
- Strongly scented flowers in a hospital. Some rooms are small and some staff are sensitive; some hospitals even restrict them.
- Large items. Everything that goes into the room has to come out later, usually in an already packed car.
- Gifts that create work. Anything that needs assembling, sterilizing or returning.
- Showing up unannounced. Send the gift first and visit when she says so.
To the hospital or to the home?
It depends on timing. The hospital works on the first or second day, when they're still receiving visitors and the gift brightens the room. After discharge, home is better: that's when it's truly appreciated, because the visits drop off and the exhaustion kicks in.
If you're sending to a hospital, we need mom's full name and, if you know it, the room or floor. Some have visiting-hour restrictions and the gift has to be left at reception; we confirm before heading out. You can check our coverage and rates by town.
When to send it
- On the day of the birth: the most emotional moment, but also the busiest in the room.
- Two or three days later: our favorite. They're settled in and the gift doesn't compete with anything.
- A week or two later: when no one else is sending anything. That's when a gift counts double.
If you're far away
It's one of the most common cases: family living abroad who want to be present on the day of the birth. You can schedule the delivery, and we coordinate via WhatsApp so we don't arrive at a bad time. If you're interested in the details, here we explain how to send from abroad.
And the card
Write to her, not to the baby. Everyone writes “Welcome to the world”; a line of your own acknowledging what she just did reads differently. We handwrite it exactly as you send it.
Don't forget the big brother or sister
If there's already a child at home, they have the hardest time: overnight, everyone is talking about the baby. A small gift for them —a teddy bear, some candy— costs little and is hugely appreciated, especially by the parents.
It's one of those gestures no one expects and the family remembers more than the main gift.
Ideas by budget
- Simple gift: a small arrangement with chocolates for the room.
- Complete gift: a welcome box with goodies for the baby and something for mom.
- When you want it to stand out: a large-format display with balloons, flowers and a teddy bear, the kind that fills the room and shows up in every photo.
If several people are chipping in, one big gift is better than five small ones: in a hospital room, space rules.
If you're visiting at home
Two tips that have nothing to do with what you buy and are worth more than the gift: let them know before you go, and keep it short. And if you really want to help, bring a home-cooked meal. It sounds unromantic, and it's what anyone who just had a baby appreciates most.
The pretty gift for the photo and the food for everyday life don't compete: they complement each other.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring flowers to a hospital?
In a maternity room, almost always yes. Restrictions are usually in intensive care and the neonatal unit. If in doubt, send it to the home or ask us and we'll confirm.
What do you give if you don't know the baby's sex?
Neutral tones —cream, soft green, yellow— or simply a gift for mom. It's the most elegant option and the hardest to get wrong.
How much do people usually spend?
A complete welcome box runs from about $280.000 to $530.000 depending on the size of the display. A simpler gift with flowers and chocolates costs considerably less.
Can I send it without knowing the exact address?
If it's going to a hospital, mom's full name and the name of the facility are usually enough. For a home, we need the recipient's address and phone number.
