What to gift an expecting Mother? 🇫🇷

[u/Single-Break-1583]

I’m Australian and in Australia, expectant mothers commonly celebrate with a ‘baby shower’ prior to the arrival of their newborn baby. This is where the Mum has a small party and is ‘showered’ with gifts from friends and family. Generally entailing, food, pregnancy related games and socialising (big day for the pregnant person). My friend is French-born and has only been in Australia for a few years. She is having a small get together/ baby shower. Though she had said to me that in France, they don’t really have the same cultural tradition like in Australia. I would only assume it would be incredibly difficult not having parents and loved ones close by, so I want to make sure I get her something sentimental and heartfelt. What is something that French gift women prior/after the birth of their baby? Or something I could make/ create/ order? Any advice would be appreciated!

[u/Beneficial_Breath232]

Baby shower is a USA thing that is not really implanted in France. It was.considered bad luck to give a expecting mom something for the baby (tempting fate that something will go wrong).

However, I would say, give something to your friend, not to a mom. Her favorite book, a massage, a spa day, whatever. She will get a lot of stuff for the baby, but not so much for her. So give her something SHE will enjoy as a personn, not as a mom.

[u/Brickie78 → u/Beneficial_Breath232]

However, I would say, give something to your friend, not to a mom. Her favorite book, a massage, a spa day, whatever. She will get a lot of stuff for the baby, but not so much for her. So give her something SHE will enjoy as a personn, not as a mom.

Heavily seconded. She'll be deluged in cute little clothes and toys, and it's really easy for people to stop thinking of her as a person and just treat her as a mum.

If you want to get something for baby too, something practical that they won't immediately grow out of - you can NEVER have too many muslin squares for instance.

[u/JustMeLurkingAround-]

I'm not French, but when my nieces were born I found this French toy "Sophie la girafe" Sophie the giraffe. Apparently it's a classic French must have for babies.  My nieces both loved them. They are soft and squishy, easy to grab and bite on it from an early age.  AND internationally available  https://sophielagirafe.com.au/

What I also love to gift for babies are Steiff baby comforters (a plush toy with a blanket body). I'm german, so I might be biased about Steiff plushies,  but they are the OG Teddybears and they are making great quality Teddy bears and plush toys.  Babies seriously just love them.  This is what I found for AUS  https://www.teddybeartreasures.com.au/categories/steiff/steiff-baby/steiff-comforters.html?srsltid=AfmBOoq5F9Dpec2TdrVlXVMTie4DN8KU55Hrr2Zhdmf32coJ8nCPxa44

If you want something more for mom than the baby, you could make her a basket or box with all kind of things to treat herself or relax, because a new baby is stressful. 

I think it's really nice to do that for your friend. Even if baby showers are not a big thing in europe its always nice to gift something for the occasion, especially if it is as thoughtful and from the heart as you are doing.  As someone who lived far away from home for some years, these kind of gestures really do make a difference.  Don't let people discourage you by saying baby showers aren't european. 

[u/Alalanais → u/JustMeLurkingAround-]

Sophie is a great idea, it's a staple, I don't know any French baby who didn't have one.

[u/badlydrawngalgo]

I think the concept of a "baby shower" is a recent import from the USA, at least it was in the UK where I lived until recently. It was unheard of until the mid-90s - early 2000s. I don't think it exists in Portugal where I now live either.

[u/safeinthecity → u/badlydrawngalgo]

In Portugal it's also a cultural import, it's not unheard of but not widespread. I only started hearing about it around the mid-late 10s.

[u/tgh_hmn]

I would not do anything other than taking care of her and be supportive. We do not have this notion of baby shower ( as far as I know, and I can comment on De and Ro). I also doubt they have this in France LE: edited my dyslexia

[u/Ok_West_6711]

I don’t know the answer!! But, I’m sure France has some baby books (like those thin paperback kind of books, to read to baby/children) that are beloved and well known titles there, but that aren’t readily available other places. I think many countries have their own common and familiar baby/children’s books. You could possibly order one or two for her?

[u/tenebrigakdo]

I had a baby shower because I liked the idea of getting together this way - it's not particularly traditional here. I specifically requested stuff for me, not for the baby. Some girls that live farther away brought some things I was borrowing from them, because it was unclear if I'll get to meet with them again before giving birth. I got a massage coupon, some personal care stuff I quite enjoyed, and baked goods.