Shortlist of items for Jubilee Baby Gift released

SINGAPORE — A baby sling, diaper bag, baby clothes and baby rattle: These are some of the 15 items that have been shortlisted for inclusion in the Jubilee Baby Gift, the gift package for babies born next year to celebrate the nation’s 50th birthday.

After the call for ideas closed yesterday (April 15), the Jubilee Baby Gift Advisory Panel curated a shortlist of items, which they said incorporated three elements, namely: Care for the baby, celebration of the baby and family bonding, and commemoration of the baby’s birth in the historic 50th year of Singapore’s independence.

Singaporeans sent in a total of about 6,500 suggestions for items that could go into the Jubilee Baby Gift. Ideas were gathered from The Jubilee Baby Gift microsite, feedback booths, focus group sessions, and REACH’s online platforms over two weeks.

In a press release today, the National Population and Talent Division, which is leading this initiative, said the Advisory Panel also took into account feedback from focus group discussions. For instance, the discussions raised the point that the cost of the gift should be reasonable and some items, such as perishables and food or medicinal items, should not be included.

As such, items that were not shortlisted included those which would be consumed quickly or which might not be suitable for all babies, such as diapers or milk powder, or those that were not commemorative or keepsake in nature, such as vouchers.

The second phase of the public engagement exercise starts today until May 15. Singaporeans can vote for five items that they would like to see in the gift package at www.nptd.gov.sg/jubilee. The final set of items will be announced in the middle of the year.

Illustration: NPTD