New baby gifts to send to family in Pakistan
Gift ideas to welcome a new baby in the family in Pakistan, for the baby and for the new parents, and what to avoid.
The best gifts for a new baby in Pakistan are practical things the parents will use in the first months, plus something sweet for the visitors who come to see the baby. Mithai is the traditional way to share good news, and a gift just for the new mother is often the one remembered most. Send something in the first week or two, while the visitors are coming.
Here's what to send, what to avoid, and how to time it.
The short version
- For the baby: clothes a size up, soft blankets, and one keepsake.
- For the mother: something comfortable and just for her.
- For the family: a mithai box for the visitors.
- Timing: the first week or two, to the right house.
- Avoid: strong perfumes, toys with small parts, and anything that needs space they don't have.
For the baby
New parents in Pakistan usually get more baby clothes in newborn size than the baby will ever wear. Think a little ahead.
- Clothes in a size up: newborns outgrow the first size in weeks. Choose soft cotton, as most of Pakistan is warm most of the year.
- Soft blankets, swaddles and muslin cloths: you can never have too many.
- A baby carrier or a good bouncer, if you've checked the parents don't have one.
- Winter clothes if the baby arrives between November and February, especially in the north, where homes are cold.
A keepsake to remember the arrival
- The baby's name in hand-painted calligraphy, framed for the nursery.
- A hand-embroidered quilt or blanket with the baby's name.
- A silver bracelet or a small gold piece, a traditional gift from grandparents and close relatives.
- A memory book for the first year.
These are made to order and take a week or more, so order as soon as you know the name.
For the new mother
In the first weeks, the mother is often recovering, tired, and looked after by everyone except herself. A gift that's just for her is remembered.
- A comfortable shawl or a soft outfit she can wear at home while visitors come.
- A self-care hamper: good tea, dry fruit, a nice lotion, and something to read.
- Panjiri or traditional sweets for new mothers, if the family follows that custom. Ask first, as every family has its own recipe.
- A meal delivered on a tiring day, so nobody has to cook.
For the new father and the household
- Practical help: nappies and wipes are never wasted.
- A photo frame for the first family picture.
- A gift for older siblings, so they don't feel left out: a toy or a book "from the baby".
Mithai for the visitors
When a baby arrives in Pakistan, the house fills with visitors bringing gifts and duas, and the family is expected to offer something sweet. A mithai box delivered in the first days means they're ready, and it's a gesture people notice. For a boy or a girl, the custom is the same: share the sweetness.
Customs worth knowing
Families differ, so ask a parent or sibling before you plan anything big.
- Aqiqah is often held on the seventh day, or later. If there's an event, a gift or salami for the baby is usual.
- Visitors usually give cash to the baby, tucked into the cradle or handed to the mother. If you're abroad, ask a relative to give it for you.
- Some families prefer to wait a few weeks before visitors come, especially after a difficult birth. Check before you send anything big.
What to avoid
- Strong perfumes and scented products, which aren't good for newborns.
- Toys with small parts, or toys for older children that sit in a cupboard for a year.
- Big items like cots and prams, unless you've checked. Many families already have one from a relative.
- Anything that needs to be returned, as shops in Pakistan rarely make that easy.
Timing and the right address
- Send something in the first week or two, while visitors are coming.
- Check who's home. In Pakistan, many mothers stay with their own parents for the first weeks, or even 40 days, after the birth. Send it there, not to the couple's house.
- For keepsakes and embroidery, order early, as made-to-order pieces can take a week or more.
What to write
"Mubarak ho! Can't wait to meet the newest member of the family" works for everyone. "Allah is nannhay mehmaan ko sehat aur khushiyon wali zindagi day" is a lovely dua. Add a line for the parents too: they did the hard part. You can also send a free new baby e-card on the day you hear the news, and the gift a few days later.