Baby Shower Gift

A.,

For my baby shower (almost 2 years ago) I didn't expect anything from anyone. Even when I was compiling my insanely long registry at 3 different stores! I was just having fun. My parents gave me 3 large items I needed, plus every cute little thing my mom saw every time she went shopping. My sister, who is a full-time student, bought all the crib linens for me. My high school buddy, who's on a tightly budgeted income with a little one of her own, gave me an assortment of keepsakes and cute baby stuff that really came from her heart. Some family friends that I barely know sent me a high chair and a swing. My aunt sent me a $120 travel system. A lady from work gave me a fabulous $15 grooming kit. My boss's wife knit booties and her 85-year-old mother, whom I've never met, crocheted a blanket for my son. My brother's wife splurged on a designer perfume I had always wanted. My other sister-in-law gave me a gift certificate to Target that I later used on diapers (very handy).

Okay, so I have a point...there were lots of gifts and I remember each and every one. They ranged greatly in price and quality, but they all held exactly the same value to me. It was such a special time and I was so grateful to know so many people cared for me. Having great friends who care enough to worry about not spending enough on a shower gift are gift enough!

-T.

2 moms found this helpful

How about doing things that are non monetary, more thoughtfulness. LIke coupons that she can use for your services, even housecleaning or babysitting, or laundry, etc You can take her dinner, if she refuses, ring the doorbell and leave it at the door (lol) or give a basket of bubble bath.

2 moms found this helpful

Every mom just appreciates what you can give them. It is not an obligation to keep paying for gifts. If you can offer your time, new moms will need the dinners for the few days back from the hospital, getting the house in order for her when she goes into labor, if she has other kids offer to watch them while she in delivery or if it is a difficult one offer to help her out when she is recouping. Those are the things make true buddies!!! Good luck, Jen

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I usually try to keep it at $20. One thing that I've been doing lately is making hooded towels as the main present (home-made ones are tons better than the thin, flimsy ones that are sold at most major chain stores) and then adding some other store-bought items to go with it. If you are interested in that, I can try to find the link for the pattern I used.

1 mom found this helpful

I've been to several baby showers, and had a couple myself. I don't think anyone is all that concerned with the cost of the gift. The fact that you have gotten things all ready shouldn't keep you from a gift at a shower. Those are extras, and I have been in simular situations and would feel wierd not bringing something to the shower. As some ladies have said, it doesn't need to be an expensive gift, but it should be thoughtfull. Think about the kinds of things that would be very nice to have when the baby is around. Items of convenience, things to help with comfort, things to either ocupy or carry baby while mom and dad are busy, clothes that will be needed yet haven't been purchased, a night out alone for the parents, anything that gives some thought to what will help the baby feel comfortable, or give mom and dad more piece of mind. The last shower I went to I gave a jumbo pack of stage 2 diapers from a wholesale store because they will go through them and diapers can get pricey, I also got a combo pack of medicines and infant care stuff because it's nice to have whatever you need when the baby gets sick or hurt. I had already given an activiy blanket earlier that I had previously purchased. When I wanted one for my son I was not impressed with the prices on what I could find. After the fact I found this great activity blanket with all sorts of learning things, bold colors, and a good price, so I got it early since I knew they were having a baby and could use it to place the baby on when they don't want him on the dirty floor.

Just keep it thoughtful, and try not to buy a lot of things that everyone will buy. If you want to do something for the parents I would find out what kind of food they like and get a gift certificate, put it in a card with a note that you will watch the baby for a night so they can go out alone.

1 mom found this helpful

Sounds like you've done a lot already. You can get her a nice (inexpensive) photo album/photo box to take to the shower. You could also buy disposable cameras (at Sams or Costco) and hand them out at the shower. This way others can take pictures and your friend will have a lot of memories. you've gotten some clever ideas through this post.

1 mom found this helpful

My own brother is having a baby and it will be my first niece, and still I only spent about 50$ on their gifts. I will be spoiling the child once she arrives so I do not see any need to overspend f rteh shower when the grandparents and parents will want to do most of the buying anyway! Just wait it out and see what they dont get or what they ned and if it is budgetable get it for them. I always like to get things that I liked from experience, something a bit unique that I know they will appreciate but probably didnt think of or register for (i.e. the safety feeders or the faucet cover for the bath tub) Good luck and Congrats!--C.

1 mom found this helpful

it is so fun to buy baby things, isn't it?..........you have spent too much on the baby- you must love to shop. don't go seeing something and now that you have someone you can give it too, just go buy it. unless you have absolutely no money worries or problem, and your husband is making 7 figures. you see where i'm going. i know that you don't want to look cheap- i hate that. but that doesn't mean you have to spend more than you should. think about it this way with baby shower gifts: most people will buy for the baby, diapers (which some babies will be too big when they born to use the newborn), or clothes(with how many cute baby clothes and remember the first few weeks after birth- you stayed home, the baby worn gowns) by the time my kids where able to wearthe clothes we got we had out grown them. bottle (what if the mom nurses).
if the mom to be is registered somewhere that would be very helpful, but if not then you could do what i did for an employee's wife- i gave her a $50 gift card. i wasn't close to her, you are, so i'd do a gift card and take her for a manicure or a pedicure, just the 2 of you. it is more personal- or if she would rather- try buying the mom to be a night gown that is nice enough for people to see her in, while visiting baby. it's just usually at a baby shower people forget about the mom to be.

1 mom found this helpful

HiAmanda,
I have several friends that are pregnant right now. What I do is it every clearance rack that I can every. Dillards, Wal Mart, KMart, and JcPennys has been having awesome clearance racks. Then I just get a laundry basket and fill it up. I also like to get the essentials. If you have a dollar store near you they also carry some baby stuff. I try not to think about the dollar amount. No one needs to know what you spent, but I try to keep under $50. I hope this helps.

L.

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Hi A.-It sounds as if you have already been generous, especially considering that you only have the one income. I do understand however that you want to do more for someone that sounds so special in your life. I will tell you what my best friend's husband's wife did for me after we had our baby. She made a few meals and brought them over to the house after we got home. She cooked the one the night she came to visit and left the others in the freezer. That was so appreciated. Maybe at the shower you can be creative and tie up a scroll that says something to the effect. "Entitles the new Mom and Dad to some home cooking prepared by me" That seems like a gift that could be less expensive than many others and also is so personal and much appreciated by the new parents--trust me!! Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful

There is no set amount.
Do what you can and that's it. Sounds like you've done a lot already and you shouldn't feel obligated to do any more unless you just want to. She knows that you have already given her things so I can assure you that she's not expecting anything else.
If you feel you can't go empty handed then take a card and a nice picture frame for her to put a photo of her and the baby in or the family. It's a nice inexpensive gift and would be greatly appreciated and you won't break your pocket book and won't go empty handed.
Good luck

1 mom found this helpful

It does sound like you have already "showered" her with some nice gifts. If it were me, I would buy a jumbo pack of diapers in size 1 or 2. She will appreciate having some diapers in that size once the little one outgrows the newborn size. I know it really came in handy for us. The longer you can go with out buying diapers the better, right? :)

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I agree. I don't think there's a set amount. I think what's more important is that you are there for her(if you are close enough friends), and just maybe buy her one more item that you can afford to bring to the shower. Idea: you could also go in on a gift with a few other girls, and buy a rope and some clothespins, and hang socks, pants, etc., from that rope, and put it in a laundry basket with dreft. That's a neat idea, and you can split the cost with others.

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Hi A., I don't know if you're interested, but I make diaper cakes, made from disposable diapers, baby toys, socks, baby bottles, bibs, t-shirts, and other baby items. These are great gifts to give for new moms, because everything in it can be used. If you're interested please email me at ____@____.com and I'll send you some pictures.