Gifting a play mat: what new parents actually use

Before Jeevika was born we received five onesies in the same size and a toy that sang. The onesies fit for three weeks. I do not want to talk about the toy. What got used every single day, from week two until now, was anything on the floor.

That is the case for gifting a play mat: it is the rare baby gift with a multi-year service life. But a few practical notes, because mats are not all equally giftable.

Size generously

Parents of a newborn think small. Babies grow fast and play expands. A 150 x 200 cm mat feels extravagant at two months and exactly right at eight. Gift the size they would not buy themselves.

Choose calm colours when in doubt

You do not know their nursery palette, but you know their living room exists. Neutrals - grey, beige, soft prints - land well in almost every home. This is, admittedly, our entire design philosophy, but it is also just good gifting.

Include the practical bits

A note about washing and care saves the parents a search. And if the mat comes in packaging that identifies the design without opening it, you look like you planned everything. Our cartons do this. We are told it reads as thoughtful; really it is just good labelling.

The onesies were loved too, by the way. All five of them. For three weeks.