14995✽
Help I'm in a dilemma.
some of you know how i worked hard to make thing for my Great grand son last year simply to be informed that i was not going to have anything to do with him because i had objected to my grandsons drug use. Everything i made i gave away to an inner city mother and baby charity.
My dilemma now is that i have new neighbours and they have an adorable five week old little boy.
His Momma and I have chatted and i have helped with somethings they did not know about in the area, I know they have at the moment little money to fill the heating oil tank but have enough in it to last a few more weeks. they are being conservative with the heating and it is a little cool in the house.
I would love to make a baby sleep sack for the little one but am afraid that they will think me pushy and interfering.
I have the Minky and the fleece and i would be in seventh heaven if i could make things for the baby.
What should i do. Please advice with this as i do not want to loose a possible good neighbour Should i stand back and mind my own business or make it as a welcome gift and hope not to offend
Comments (38)
463429✽
Gifts for a new baby are not uncommon for neighbors. I think it would be fine for you to make a few things. Obviously you've got the right intentions. I think your problem is: Where do you draw the line? My suggestion is to not make a complete room full of things, just a few things.
1 comment
I agree.
255054✽
Dear Annie,
I am sure that you will not loose a good neighbour with your kindness. I would explain that you love making things and just leave it at that. They are very lucky to have you as a neighbour.
I am sure that you will not loose a good neighbour with your kindness. I would explain that you love making things and just leave it at that. They are very lucky to have you as a neighbour.
16707✽
I'd make a welcome gift, a Christmas and other special occasion gifts. I don't think they would take it wrong and you can offer your services as a neighbor aunt to the baby and friend to the parents. I myself, I would have looked at this as a gift from a good neighbor.
360671✽
Make it and see her smile Annie:):)got any fudge you could add for Momma .I love to give out my candy.Hugs Carolyn
35675✽
Goodness, go ahead & make it and tell that sweet mama your grand kids aren't around & you love to sew! She will probably love having an "older" woman around to give her support! You are so sweet to think of that! And be sure & show us the sleep sac before you give it away!
1 comment
THIS IS GREAT. I often make stuff for the kids around me...I tell them I loved doing it when my kids were small..and they are gone..and i have a "need to sew or crochet or make things" ...and i have no one to share my stuff with. All have been received with smiles and appreciation. GO FOR IT.
51302✽
by
designgirl
21 Nov 2014
+13✽
I agree go ahead and make what ever for the baby. If they are trying the make ends meet, I think they will love anything you give them.
27358✽
57801✽
by
edithfarminer
21 Nov 2014
+13✽
I agree with all, make it a welcome gift to start with and say it is your hobby.
Trouble with Christmas gifts they will feel they will have to buy you something what they maybe can not afford as I know English tradition only to well lol. Think they will be over the moon and take it from there. Good luck, such a super kind thing to do!
Trouble with Christmas gifts they will feel they will have to buy you something what they maybe can not afford as I know English tradition only to well lol. Think they will be over the moon and take it from there. Good luck, such a super kind thing to do!
57492✽
Just go for it. A welcome gift is ok and something for a little one is always appreciated. Nobody should be offended by that!
33350✽
by
baydreamer
21 Nov 2014
+13✽
I think I would ask, hinting at how much you love to sew. All the fabric you have just sitting around , left over from projects already completed, hopefully she will know this is no cost to you but your time. Even ask if this is something she would like and use?
Since I don't know you, everyone expectations of a gift is different, some people want something in return, others nothing!
Since I don't know you, everyone expectations of a gift is different, some people want something in return, others nothing!
34246✽
Good morning...well if you don't want to make it feel to pushy, you could invite her over for cup of tea...show her your sewing/embroidery...tell her you love to sew, its what makes you happy. ask if she would like to try or if you can make her something for the baby....make it fun for her then it won't seem like you are interfering....You could also tell her you had made stuff for your grandson, and enjoyed it, would she mind if you made for her baby...You do like to do things and anytime you can involve a mother with a new baby they love to share stories or talk about the day....Invite her over first then go from there,,,If your house is warm, she may also welcome that for a moment in time.
148938✽
What I sometimes say is that I do not have any babies around me and I would like to sew all those nice baby things, but then my husband would think I might want another baby again (which is not) and so I have now an excuse to sew all those cute things. Then when they are sewed I say,.. well I actually I really can't do anything with it, would you like to have them ?
1969✽
by
ansienaude
21 Nov 2014
+11✽
a welcome gift and i am sure of it that you will get the answer from above to handle it and as everybody say it is always a pleasure to spoil a little one enjoy
158718✽
Annie, she has met you and has experienced your giving nature already. I do not think she will be offended in any way. Ask her first if she minds you trying out a baby sleep sack pattern and can you use her baby for the model. You can then take "measurements" of her baby and she will be helping you out. Then no one feels obligated or offended.
1 comment
Good idea!
140717✽
Go for it! Just don't go over the top. There are a lot of good suggestions below about how to do it without causing any possible offence.
318555✽
21543✽
by
susiesembroidery
21 Nov 2014
+10✽
I am sure she will love having the gift if you made it and took it to her. Just say that you love doing babythings and you had all this lovely material - so then you just could not resist playin with it and made some babythings that you hope she would like. I am sure it will be OK. You are a wonderful giving person.
21543✽
by
susiesembroidery
21 Nov 2014
+11✽
I am sure she will love having the gift if you made it and took it to her. Just say that you love doing babythings and you had all this lovely material - so then you just could not resist playin with it and made some babythings that you hope she would like. I am sure it will be OK. You are a wonderful giving person.
5402✽
I like you have got new neighbours, a lovely couple, they have been here now about 6 months and she recently told us she is expecting a baby. I told her how happy I was for them and said how much I loved to knit baby things not keen on doing larger items but loved knitting for babies. I asked if she minded if I knitted some stuff for her baby and she was thrilled that I would want to do that . Just tell them how much you love doing stuff for baby's and would they mind if you did some for them. Make out like they are doing you a favour and you both win.
109774✽
by
crafter2243
21 Nov 2014
+10✽
Oh Annie I am sure they will be appreciative. Go for it. Tell them how much you enjoy making things and that you would love to make something for the baby. I have always loved a gift given to me no matter what my circumstances in life were and I can not imagine them being offended by your kindness.
29726✽
I would go ahead and make it. New Mothers get a thrill out of receiving gifts for their babies.
I was working with a young man on a student visa and his wife had a baby I knew money was tight as he was only allowed to work a set amount of hours.
so I made a couple of things and put the baby's name on them didn't cost much to do apart from my time.
He was so thrilled and his wife sent back a card thanking me. What I didn't know was not only were they thousands of miles away from home but she had lost her Mother 1 year before and was feeling homesick. He said it made her smile to think someone was so kind.
Made my day I can tell you.
I was working with a young man on a student visa and his wife had a baby I knew money was tight as he was only allowed to work a set amount of hours.
so I made a couple of things and put the baby's name on them didn't cost much to do apart from my time.
He was so thrilled and his wife sent back a card thanking me. What I didn't know was not only were they thousands of miles away from home but she had lost her Mother 1 year before and was feeling homesick. He said it made her smile to think someone was so kind.
Made my day I can tell you.
1 comment
we never know what impact our gifts have on others. Perhaps that is why it brings so much joy to give something from your heart! Meri
15626✽
At this time of year, gifts are given with open hearts and accepted with the true meaning of Christmas. As long as it is something for the baby and not the parents, I think it would be precious to give the baby a welcome into this world baby gift. As you didn't know them when a baby shower would normally be given, what joy it gives you to give something now.
234507✽
Dear Annie, as the old saying goes - "It is better to give than receive". I know you are a very generous person and I for one wouldn't be offended if I was given a gift. I love all the responses below and I know you will do whatever your inner voice tells you. Love and blessings Chris
15572✽
by
eyeztodiefor10
21 Nov 2014
+8✽
I believe the new neighbor would very much appreciate your gifts for their baby. You will know from her reaction when you give it to her. Not everyone is mean and uncaring. I believe you will find the joy of giving once again. God bless you for caring so much!
Meri
Meri
7199✽
I too agree with everyone else. I think it's a lovely idea. Can I just add that you don't tell her it's because it's a little cool inside their house. She may get upset about that. Just that you love sewing and it's cold this time of year. xx
1 comment
that i would never do as i like it cool in my own home but sometimes a little one just needs a bit more warmth. I will make sure this new Momma will understand that i have a shed full of fabric and just need to use some of it and as she has already told me that she would like me to make a quilt for her and she would pay me i never sell them i just make as "warm hug gifts"
14995✽
Thank you all so much for your advice and i will try not to go over the top with gifts but just do one now and again, I have some nice soft baby blue Minky and some white fleece for the lining and the sleep sack has arms in it with little gloves on it so it will keep the little one nice and cosy. Tomorrow i will go and get some ribbing and then set about cutting it out and getting the serger on the go. It shouldn't take more than a couple of hours to complete it and i sure will take a photo of it for you all to see.
Mind you i think that there just may be a bib or two in a couple of weeks time that will have the name Aaron on them and of course Santa may just find a nice little cot quilt in his bag that will match the sleep sack. HO HO HO
Mind you i think that there just may be a bib or two in a couple of weeks time that will have the name Aaron on them and of course Santa may just find a nice little cot quilt in his bag that will match the sleep sack. HO HO HO
3 comments
Perhaps this will open the line of communication and you could broach the subject of making other things for the baby as it is your hobby and you love to create. Hugs. Nan W
this is just what i am hoping will happen. I have so many patterns and designs i thought would never be used. Perhaps now that will be.
perfect idea
25169✽
by
snowbird42
22 Nov 2014
+9✽
you go for it girl some of the responses below made my eyes leak...soozie
6196✽
I agree with all the responses. Most new mothers love gifts for their babies. It is very thoughtful of you to do it. And a personalized item makes it even more special. Do it . Hugs.
62461✽
In our area it is quit normal to give housewarming gifts to people moving in to a new house. So a baby gift and a box of candy( or a casserole) that someone suggested would be great.
145791✽
Go for it I can not see them thinking it offensive. I cannot believe anyone would be offended from someone making and giving their child things that it probably doesn't have.. Call it a welcome to the neighborhood gift and I'd probably throw in a towel or something for the parents also/Lillian
96286✽
by
dailylaundry
23 Nov 2014
+5✽
I think it is a great idea! Sleep sacks are wonderful for helping to keep baby warm. Make it a welcome gift and tell them you love to sew - ask if you could make a few things for this sweet little one. I bet they will welcome it and it could be the beginning of a wonderful friendship!!! Let us know what you decide!! Hugs, Laura*
948✽
May be ask her if she would mind if you made the little one something, that way no offence is taken
42046✽
Annie,Make the little outfit for the baby and say its a tester and you wanted to see how it turned out. Or ask if she minded if you make things for the little one as you dont have access (distance) to to your own and just love to sew. Let us know how you go :))
1 comment
I agree whole-heartedly. Ask if you can adopt the baby as a great grandchild.
16302✽
by
justonlyme
24 Nov 2014
+4✽
What a wonderful "welcome to the neighborhood" gift, or newborn baby gift. There is no need to bring up their heating or money situation. I think they would be quite pleased to have such a wonderful and caring new neighbor!
299559✽
I would tell her just what you have mentioned "I would love to make a baby sleep sack for the little one" because you love to sew & if it's ok with her you have some lovely fabric & maybe show her what you already have. Bless your heart & it is so much better to make things for those who appreciate it then for those who don't. I will add your grandson to my prayer list that he may find his way back to our Lord. ~hugs & Blessings Annie~
19282✽
You could show her some baby thing that you have made for gifts and ask her if she sees something that she would like before you give them away.
10550✽
26316✽
by
juanitadenney
24 Nov 2014
+2✽
I say follow all the previous post and if she is in need she will no doubt appreciate whatever you make.