In olden days…hehee…they used to make so many items for a baby’s layette.
What do desi mom’s do today?
I’ve managed to crochet a blanket with a matching pillow cover and have now started stitching a “gadda and takyay” set (i.e. small mattress and pillows). Though these items may not be used for very long, they will be put away for the child to have when they are older.
What, if anything, did your mom save for you?
In my family to each baby regardless of gender there is a ring given to each and every one of us. I still have mine. Its soooooo small now!
If you wanted something everlasting and practical for your baby. I’d pick him/her a Leo Savings Account and start depositing $25.00 each month till s/he is ready for college/university. Now thats an ever lasting gift for the child considering Canada’s education system is going down the drain.
Now if you’re thinking short term and sentimental, I’d say make a chadar that s/he can wear. You know those ajrak(s)? Umm, a scrap book of the family history where y’all came from.
I dunno what else would desi mom’s give nagging and lotsa love 
My khala had a baby boy last winter and it's a tradition to give the baby a 'razai' made of velvet (Nani makes it).
Yeah, little pillows and mini mattresses are a must. What about those things that you put on top of the mattress so if the diaper leaks, the mattress is unharmed. ? It's a piece of cloth, sewn all over with circular designs.
Oh and those triangular peices of cloth with lil ribbons on the two sides to tie up the baby when you're tired of the 24-7 diaper routine.
My first pair of booties, quraished up from wool, my lil spoon for cerelac and my razai is still around.
What? That's it?
Doesn't anyone make anything anymore?
Everyone relying on store-bought stuff?
I have a friend and her father had made her a little keepsake box, with her name and a little rose pattern on it, its really beautiful. And she keeps her jewelry in it, and even took it to college with her. Well he made it after she was born, but i don't know if that would work for a boy.
Perphas that could be something that your husband buys or makes for the baby.
:)
I think, my mom did make things for all her kids, like blankets and cloths, she even knitted stuff of wool. But we don't have them here. Maybe they are lying in some suitcase in Pakistan.
Interesting thread, thanks for starting it Muzna. I'm a bit stuck for ideas too so lets see if anyone can come up with something original.
salaam all,
umm my mom knitted a sweater set with matching booties and topie..but I think that was for my sister...and I believe she gave it away..other than that everything else was purchased
Apart from gold ring .. in my family.. a new born baby always gets a *Chaandi ki Jhunjhuna and a Tiny Silver Bowl *(thats for when he gets old enuff to eat solid food wagera) … ab m not sure either they order it or just buy it off the market… anyway my ma also made a baby book for me.. it contains all the things way before i was born 
.. like when she felt my first kick, n wut everyone expected about me that i wud b a gurl or boy… and her reaction when she found out i was a gurl .. the time when i started walkin… i mean literally every major event uptill i was two … i still hav that .. n it never ceases to entertain me when ever i go thru it … i think my ma was very wise to save that for me 
.. wut else… hmmmMmm .. oh yeah … i’ve seen babies wearin those black band kinda thin made of beads on their wrists… i suppose they say that is to prevent the baby from ‘Buree Nazar’ .. but then Allah knows best ..
Give them wings to fly and moments to cherish.
Babies R Us Zindabaad!
Stitch out some PotRRay. The Cotton PotRRa is a dream come true for a 24/7 diapered baby.
Also, give them lots of TLC (Tender Love n Care)
:)
dear People,
The best thing is a Family Tree. Knowing something about your ancestors. Some good family stories.
Letters. A Poem, written by a member of your family would be precious to own decades later.
Nothing fancy. Just words. A thought. A deed. A mistake. A prayer.
Something that brings a family together.
AvgGirl
And a homemade quilt is nice also.