DECISIONS, decisions.

Do I go for something unashamedly tacky like the 'I❤my Auntie Pippa' bib?

Or should my Royal baby investment be something more timeless and collectable, like a fine china wall plate or a commemorative tea towel to stick away in a drawer until such a time that it might make a tidy little profit on eBay?

Apparently, Britons are expected to shell out more than £100million on memorabilia to welcome Baby Cambridge into the world, with perhaps another nine figures spent on champers and food to toast the new arrival.

Those figures do seem vulgar when you think of the starving millions in the world, but it is hard not to get a little caught up the excitement, especially when this little mite is helping to signal an end to the sexism that has been a mainstay of our monarchy for centuries.

It must be incredibly daunting for any woman about to give birth to her first child, so the pressure being heaped on the Duchess Of Cambridge will be unbearable.

The paparazzi have already started camping outside St Mary's Hospital in London ... and she still has more than a week to go!

For all that I have looked at more photos of Kate's growing bump than I would care to admit – not to mention enjoyed scoffing at her £1220 pram, pored over the bookies' favourite baby names and relished reading that ex-Aussie Prime Minister Julia Gillard has knitted the baby a kangaroo – I would like to see the young parents being given time alone in their first few weeks of family life, far away from the glare of the world's media.

After the scandal, and ensuing tragedy, of the prank call during the Duchess's last hospital stay, it seems a more responsible attitude, and a greater respect for their privacy, is called for this time around.

And in all the presents that will be lavished on the little prince or princess, I wonder if the Finnish government's newborn starter pack will rank among their favourites.

The kit of clothing, bedding and infant essentials – issued to all expectant mothers in Finland – is a treasured tradition in the Scandinavian country, aimed at giving all babies the same start in life regardless of the financial standing of their parents.

With the news yesterday that the UK Government is preparing to start charging for non-EU nationals to use the NHS for non-emergency treatment, in an attempt to cut down on so-called 'health tourism', could the money saved be used to implement a similar starter pack on these shores?

It would be a great gesture to mark the birth of our future King or Queen by both the UK and Scottish governments – and would make a far better gift to the nation than a novelty set of biscuits or 'Yummy Ma'am' mug.