Child Diamond Jewelry.

Q: My wife is due in the spring. She told me that I must bring her a gift after she gives birth. I'm not sure what kind of gift is appropriate/traditional. She's not into jewelry or flowers. Any help is much appreciated.

A:Maybe a mom and baby figurine, like a Precious Moments or other such statue that you can get in any card store. Even though she's not into jewelry, she may love a charm for a necklace that has a mother and child. Maybe a nice nightgown, either sexy satin or comfy cotton, depending on what she likes. A nice photo album that you can store picture of your new baby, maybe with some candid shots you took of her while pregnant. Have someone take a picture of you, your wife and your new baby after the birth, get it developed and blown up right away, and put it in a nice 5 x 7 frame. A gift certificate to get her hair

done? I have a couple of friends who used the "birth gift" as a way to coerce diamond earrings out of their husbands. In fact, the dh's didn't even pick the jewelry out. I know, because I was with one of them when she was shopping for them. Basically, he had just given her the green light to buy some diamonds. OTOH, I have a couple of friends who did receive some diamond jewelry that was a total surprise. I know this sounds sappy, but the best gift he could give me happens on a daily basis by being an involved, supportive and loving husband and father. I certainly wouldn't be complaining if a pair of earrings happened to come my way, but I certainly wouldn't expect it.