Baby shower gift for someone you dont know?

[luvmarypoppins]

What would you get for someone you really didnt know and how much would you spend?

I am invited to a church shower next month Honestly, I dont even know this girl. She is young and my 3 ds have met her from another group.

Just wondering what you would get and how much would you spend?

Last church shower I went to I knew the girl and I gave her $40 and a few little things like rattle, book etc.

I really cant do a lot of shopping due to my mobility issues.

Guess I am wondering what looks nice versus what looks cheap etc?

Last shower the girl got 3 of the same thing from the gift registry so I dont even want to go by that.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm not really sure why you're going if you do not know the girl I'd probably just politely decline the invite.

If you feel you "need" to go, I think a nice gift, that you can order from Amazon.com (since shopping is an issue) would be a selection of quality books for reading aloud.

I've done that a couple of times and like to put in 2-3 board books and then 2-3 normal sized ones.

For babies I lean towards books with lots of rhythm or that are meant to be sung along, such as:

Sandra Boynton's Barnyard Dance

Bruce Degen's Jamberry

Bill Martin's Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Eric Carle's Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?

Etc.

 

[mjantz]

-Package of diapers (size 2 or 3) & a board book or two
-hooded bath towel with bath toys
-If it's a girl, my go-to baby girl gift is a shirt from ThinkGeek that says 'Self-Rescuing Princess'. They come in toddler sizes so the kid has something to grow into.

 

[powellrj]

I would get a pack of onies and a pack of booties, thats my go to gift for someone I don't know.

 

[minnie mum]

As a PP already asked- why are you going to a shower for someone you don't know?

But if you feel that you must attend, then get her things that she will need a lot of (that way multiple gifts of the same thing will still come in handy). Onesies, diapers, receiving blankets, baby towels and facecloths. You can never have too many.

 

[Dani784]

As a mom of four who has had a church baby shower I can say the gifts I appreciated most were the gift cards. I didn't have a shower for my first two so when YDD was on her way my church threw me one. But I really didn't need clothes or bottles or blankets since my ODD was only two. I already had all that. So the gift cards were a lifesaver. They allowed me to get what I really needed ( like a crockpot for easy cooking with three little ones!) and I wasn't too overloaded with stuff I didn't need.

I still received lots of clothes and blankets ( most of which my girls use for their dolls) and honestly, I didn't use half of them. The gift cards were the best.

Also I hate when people suggest bottles without knowing how the mom plans to feed her baby. To a new mom, sometimes the temptation of having a bottle and formula available for a rough night can sabotage all breast feeding efforts. I know I would get formula samples from my OB and I would donate them right away to get them out of the house. If its not available, you can't quit as easily.

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[NHdisneylover]

As a mom of four who has had a church baby shower I can say the gifts I appreciated most were the gift cards. I didn't have a shower for my first two so when YDD was on her way my church threw me one. But I really didn't need clothes or bottles or blankets since my ODD was only two. I already had all that. So the gift cards were a lifesaver. They allowed me to get what I really needed ( like a crockpot for easy cooking with three little ones!) and I wasn't too overloaded with stuff I didn't need.

I still received lots of clothes and blankets ( most of which my girls use for their dolls) and honestly, I didn't use half of them. The gift cards were the best.

Also I hate when people suggest bottles without knowing how the mom plans to feed her baby. To a new mom, sometimes the temptation of having a bottle and formula available for a rough night can sabotage all breast feeding efforts. I know I would get formula samples from my OB and I would donate them right away to get them out of the house. If its not available, you can't quit as easily.

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Funny, I never saw bottles as any sort of temptation--but it was frustrating having them since I never used then and they were just "clutter" I knew people meant well an was happy they wanted to get me anything, but I felt guilty that those went to waste (I probably should have donated them somewhere, but I was not thinking that clearly at the time).

I felt the same way about diapers. We only used cloth unless travelling, and we were not travelling with newborns so all those tiny ones given to me were donated to the hospital.

It seemed/seems odd to me to assume you know how someone will feed or diaper a baby given how many people are strongly one way or the other on those topics. So, I always avoid gifts that make either assumption.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

My go-to gift is fast becoming an Amazon giftcard in the denomination of my choosing. Works for baby showers as well as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries.

 

[MrsDrewsky]

As a mom of a 3 month old I would say footed pjs or sleep 'n plays. The ones that zip up are the best. I definitely didn't have enough in the beginning and we were constantly running to the store to get more. They are really useful to help newborns regulate their temperature and the zipper ones are the best with having to constantly change a newborn.

Also gerber cloth diapers make the best burp rags.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I honestly probably wouldn't even go. But, IF I did, I would set a budget...for someone I don't even know...probably $10-15. Then, I'd take my 20% coupon to Kohls and buy as many baby clothes as I could within that budget. (10-15 after the 20% not before)

I know that sounds cheap, but...if you don't even know the girl, I'd say that's generous. Let the actual family shower be for the bigger items.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

I give adorable socks from a place called trumpette.com. They looks like sneakers, boots, ballet slippers, etc. I order enough for free shipping and so have some on hand for boys or girls. They come in a very cute box that I just put a ribbon on usually.

 

[akcire]

I give adorable socks from a place called trumpette.com. They looks like sneakers, boots, ballet slippers, etc. I order enough for free shipping and so have some on hand for boys or girls. They come in a very cute box that I just put a ribbon on usually.

Those socks are awesome. I frequently find them wholesaled to Marshall's or TJ Maxx typically I pay $8 for a set of 7 pairs.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I frequently purchase baby gifts for my husband's soldiers and their new babies.
I don't know them, half the time don't know the sex of the baby or ever met the spouse.

My go to is a pack of diapers, some onesies and a cute picture frame.

 

[Disney Doll]

Gift card or cash. Then the parents can buy what they need.

 

[java]

I give adorable socks from a place called trumpette.com. They looks like sneakers, boots, ballet slippers, etc. I order enough for free shipping and so have some on hand for boys or girls. They come in a very cute box that I just put a ribbon on usually.

I started making the sock cupcakes for baby gifts for those I don't know well. Books are a good add on.

 

[polkadotbikini]

Monogrammed burb clothes and bibs are really a popular gift among new moms and are fairly inexpensive.

 

[ronandannette]

I frequently purchase baby gifts for my husband's soldiers and their new babies.
I don't know them, half the time don't know the sex of the baby or ever met the spouse.

My go to is a pack of diapers, some onesies and a cute picture frame.

Gift card or cash. Then the parents can buy what they need.

EVERY baby needs diapers and since you mention the new mom is very young it is quite unlikely she will be using cloth. Go with diapers.

 

[MomRN]

Diapers/wipes are my number one baby shower gift. Cloth diapering hasn't even been an issue, but if it was I think some parents that use cloth diapering use disposables when travelling.

I know that parents usually find a favorite eventually, but having a variety to start with helps you find that favorite.

Then I usually get a blanket sleeper. The ones that do not have feet and zip up. I loved those things when my son was little, so it's a pass along.

That would be my basic baby shower gift. The most recent baby shower I attended was for the daughter of close family friend and I spent about $150. There were diapers, a blanket, toys, hooded towels, a book (Oh The places You'll Go), a blanket sleep, a diaper bag, goodies for the diaper bag, a grooming kit.... some things were from the registry, some things I took a shot on based on recommendations from friends and amazon.

I seen her yesterday (baby is now 3 months) and she mentioned how much the baby loved the "taggies" blanket I had gotten from amazon based on reviews and her "owl" theme. Never would have thought that would have been the "stand out" gift.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Many churches invite all women to a church wide shower, especially smaller churches. Maybe also, you were invited since she has become friends with your sons. You are under no obligation to go and I rarely attend showers of people I don't know unless I know the partner instead. I do keep a stash of gifts for all occasions that I draw from if I need a gift but don't fell a need to give a special or expensive gift. Right now I have a stack of Hallmark picture frames for baby boys and girls I found on sale for 90% off and bought all they had.They are really nice. I think I paid about 2.00 for them. I will add one to a special gift for someone I know well, and give one as a gift for an obligation gift.
I try to keep a stash for all sorts of occasions and people. Things I find on Black Friday, 80 and 90% off sales etc. I don't buy junk. One year I found board games on Black Friday for like 3.00 and I bought a bunch for classmate only birthday parties we were invited to that year. I recently was in a last day before closing at a local store and they bring out a lost case of batman toys. 15.00 toys, 90% off. Grabbed a pile. Just keep your eye out for sales and you will be ready next time this comes up and it will!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

2 things I've noticed most people overlook but any kid will get the most use out of.... Board/Cloth books and Music (Raffi is a big hit in our house)

Generally pretty cheap and provides years of entertainment and encourages the strong development of language and music skills. While most things that people are convinced you can't have enough of are actually very limited in how much use you can get books and music can be used for years and years to come. (My mom still has most of my old books from when I was a kid)

Can't think of a better gift then that!