Special coin top choice for Jubilee Baby Gift

The hottest pick for the Jubilee Baby Gift bundle is a special medallion or coin.

It got 61 per cent of the near-20,000 votes received from the public, on items they want for the gift set for Singaporeans born next year, the country's Golden Jubilee.

The commemorative medallion left the 14 other items on the shortlist trailing behind, with each getting less than 50 per cent of the votes.

During the month-long poll that ended last Thursday, people were asked to pick their top five favourites for the gift set.

Poll results, posted on the Jubilee Baby Gift website set up by the National Population and Talent Division, show a multi- functional shawl getting 47 per cent, followed by a baby sling (44 per cent), and a set of baby clothes (42 per cent).

The least popular was a baby rattle (11 per cent).

People had earlier submitted more than 6,500 gift ideas, which were whittled down to 15 by a five-person advisory panel for the public to pick their top five.

The final set of items will be announced later this year.

Singaporeans born next year will also receive a special commemorative birth certificate.

Accountant Christine Low, 32, who plans to have her first child next year, said that the coin was the only item to pique her interest.

"Baby clothes and sippy cups are useful, but if we're talking about celebrating our 50th year, we want something with historical value," she said.

"A coin is something I could show my child when he or she is older, to say, look this was a special year for us."

Chairman of the Jubilee Baby Gift advisory panel Anita Fam was not surprised the medallion came out tops.

"The choice shows it's not just practicality. Singaporeans want emotion, and sentimentality," she said.

"That's what the Jubilee Baby Gift is all about: getting excited and celebrating the special year together."

asyiqins@sph.com.sg

This article was published on May 20 in The Straits Times.

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