T.M.
Get the diapers and then stop at the bookstore and get a book specific for Moms and daughters... such as this onehttp://www.amazon.com/Moms-Everything-Daughters-Becky-Fre...:
I"m looking for inspiration. The mom is a close aquantiance, we don't hang out and have coffee but I enjoy her company when we serve on the same committee. this is her 3rd child, the first girl. I tend to want to give practical gifts, especially since she isn't wealthy but because i'ts the first girl, I'd like to do something a little more special.
right now i would probably just grab some diapers and onsie and a rattle, from walmart, but if anyone has any other creative ideas to stretch my money or be special and practical , i would really appreciate it.
opps forgot to say my budget is $25
Get the diapers and then stop at the bookstore and get a book specific for Moms and daughters... such as this onehttp://www.amazon.com/Moms-Everything-Daughters-Becky-Fre...:
As a new mom to a third, let me tell you what I'd like:
invite us to dinner so I don't have to cook or clean up
Hire someone to clean my house
Take my older kids for an afternoon so I can sleep!
Give us a gift certificate to a restaurant.
Bring us a bag of easy to prepare foods
A gift certificate is always practical, as it lets the person buy what they actually need
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BabyCakesbyMamaZita
Yes, shameless self promotion, this is my shop!
I can do a custom gift, within your budget and tailored to just about any style or theme.
Diaper cakes are fun AND practical :-)
I tend to think that diapers, wipes, soaps, etc. are always appropriate, especially for children that are not the first. I also was going to suggest Robeez. I think they are practical and cute and my kids lived in theirs! Plus you're still buying some cute and girlish but it's more original than just an outfit. You can find them for $20 or so if you find a sale or look at the Stride Rite Outlet (if you have one near you). I also found that the Target brand of Robeez worked out quite well too and they are much cheaper.
A gift certificate for a food place is also a good idea so that you can buy her dinner on any day she needs it! Places like Panera (do you have those?), Noodles and Co., or Boston Market would be good b/c she can get healthier options too. Plus Boston Market has a drive through! I think that Papa Murphy's is also a good one b/c she can buy a pizza and cook it when she needs it.
You could do a diaper cake. You can include some cute stuff like hair bows, onesies, etc. Check out Pinterest or just Google diaper cakes for ideas.
I agree with Julie. The most special gift would be giving your time and effort to make life a little easier for her.
Toys r us has a really cute pink blanket with a monkey on it.... someone got that for me and had baby's name embroidered on it (along with a matching toy). I thought it was really expensive and was shocked to find it.
Are you crafty? Have basic sewing skills? If so, i can tell you about a really easy blanket you can make.
Practical gifts can be presented in lovely, eye-catching ways, for under $25, too! I loved this so made one for a boy, (sorry, no picture) and everyone ooohed and ahhhed. Not hard to do, and was fun! It's going to be my go-to from here on out. You can buy the items at Walmart, Target or dollar stores to save $$$, the real "gift" is the way it's presented.
http://ballinonabudgetblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/diy-d...
I like to give personalized loveys from the twobluepeas.com website with diapers.
If I were having a baby I would like a Lug diaper bag, a pair of Robeez shoes or an Amber Teething necklace. I know the diaper bag is pretty expensive, and so are the shoes, but you can find the necklace online for as little as $10.
Lilly:
Since it's her 3rd and first girl???
ooh man...if I were her, what would I want?
* someone to take me to dinner - as an adult...no kids.
* I love diapers, wipes and teething rings...i will go through a lot...every little bit helps...
* I would offer to come over and watch the kids so she can sleep or get a manicure/pedicure (that I paid for!)
So why not put a basket together of diapers, wipes, teething rings, bibs, onesies, a paci or two, and a few "girlie" things that she can "grow in to" - like 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, etc...a great pink blanket (we got one as a gift for my first son that he JUST put away in his "box" this past month - he slept with it EVERY night!!) maybe even add a bottle of dreft detergent!
I tend to go overboard...as you can see...get coupons for diapers and wipes too...
Add in a chocalate bar (puesdo expensive like Toblerone) for momma.
Diaper cake. Use size 1 (newborn get grown out of too quickly). That way you can add a few girly touches with hair bows, pink ribbon, and rattles and such as the decorations.
I have made them that look "smooth" by wrapping around a jar, tying a string around it, then removing the jar and adding more diapers in the middle. Then cover the string with pretty ribbon (dollar store has great ribbon for this). I had heard that the kind where you roll each diaper individually and put a rubber band around it can ruin them. I found a tutorial on Youtube for the directions.
I got this at a boutique for my new niece the other day. It's incredibly the softest plush ever and will make a wonderful lovey. http://www.amazon.com/Jellycat-Bashful-Beige-Bunny-Medium...
For my last friend, I made bouquet of baby sock roses. Simple, affordable, easy to make, and great alternative to flowers. Google it for some instructions and ideas.