Baby shower gift for someone you dont know?

[BadgerGirl84]

I wouldn't go to anyone's shower that I didn't know.


Baby gifts I have really liked we're anything on my registry and Amazon gift cards.

Some specific baby items I've had on my registry that ice really loved are Aden and Anais muslin blankets, a Nose Frida, and the Burt's Bees baby bath products.

I plan on using cloth diapers and only using disposable for trips...I don't know what size my baby will be when we need disposables for a trip, so I wouldn't probably be head over heels for diapers or wipes as a gift (we will use cloth wipes, too).

 

[Fjobe]

I like to give diapers in a larger size and wipes. If they don't plan to use the diapers or prefer a different brand, they can return and get store credit @ Wal-Mart.

 

[Pigeon]

Why would I go to a shower for a stranger?

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Why would I go to a shower for a stranger?

If they were a new member of a close knit community I was part of, I'd go.

A new sister or daughter in law, or the sister or daughter in law of a close friend of family member.

A new family moving into the neighborhood.

A new teacher at my school.

And, I assume, if I was a member of a close knit congregation, a new member of that group too.

I wouldn't be as generous as I would for someone I was close to, unless perhaps I knew the family was experiencing hardship, but I'd buy a small but thoughtful gift, such as a board book and a pack of cute onesies, or a big pack of diapers and a baby rattle.

 

[honeydiane1953]

Imo and love when I get this for ANYTHING!!!! Pictures frames in 5 by 7 or 8 by 10. New baby lots and loads of pictures. You can go as affordable or expensive as you want. Classic or novelty are a tasteful gift!

 

[Pigeon]

If they were a new member of a close knit community I was part of, I'd go.

A new sister or daughter in law, or the sister or daughter in law of a close friend of family member.

A new family moving into the neighborhood.

A new teacher at my school.

And, I assume, if I was a member of a close knit congregation, a new member of that group too.

I wouldn't be as generous as I would for someone I was close to, unless perhaps I knew the family was experiencing hardship, but I'd buy a small but thoughtful gift, such as a board book and a pack of cute onesies, or a big pack of diapers and a baby rattle.

Any new member of the family I would have met before a shower. As for the rest of your scenarios, no, I wouldn't go to a shower for them.

 

[Nancyg56]

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

This is my go to gift for just about everything. I know people say it is tacky, but I bet the folks who receive it are not complaining.

 

[MrsDuck]

Plain and simple: don't go.

If you choose to go: diapers.

 

[Nancyg56]

Why would I go to a shower for a stranger?

I think it may be part of the culture of the OP's Church community. If this was a practice in any segment of my community, I would go as well.

I have also been invited to showers for spouses of DH coworkers. I did not know those women, but I went. One of my dearest friends was a stranger five years ago. DH worked with her husband, and they bought a home down the street before their DD was born. When the baby was born, I shopped and visited one Sunday morning, and immediately fell in love with that little baby girl. My best gift came from giving a little gift to a woman who did not know a soul on our street. She has become so dear to me, and her little girls call me Nana. You just never know how things turn out by extending yourself to another.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I would definitely go in OP's shoes. It wouldn't occur to me NOT to go.

In some church congregations, you are expected to attend some events even if you personally don't know the individual because they are a member of your community and because, in some circumstances (like a young, new mother), showers are a way to give young mothers things that they desperately need without making the moms feel like they're taking charity or are beholden to anyone.

It's just what you do and you do it even for people who really aren't members of your congregation, who just live in your community, because of the edicts of your faith.

 

[poohfriend77]

I think it may be part of the culture of the OP's Church community. If this was a practice in any segment of my community, I would go as well.

I have also been invited to showers for spouses of DH coworkers. I did not know those women, but I went. One of my dearest friends was a stranger five years ago. DH worked with her husband, and they bought a home down the street before their DD was born. When the baby was born, I shopped and visited one Sunday morning, and immediately fell in love with that little baby girl. My best gift came from giving a little gift to a woman who did not know a soul on our street. She has become so dear to me, and her little girls call me Nana. You just never know how things turn out by extending yourself to another.

That is beautiful. It sounds like you all got a wonderful gift that day.

To the OP-- Would you consider going in on a group gift with some friends? It sounds like the type of event where the mom will get lots of $10-25 gifts, and while I'm sure she will appreciate every one, maybe what she really needs is an $80+ carseat or stroller. It might be hard to coordinate or choose something if you don't know the woman, but it's a thought. Otherwise, I'd probably get a small gift (book, socks, etc) and a gift card.

 

[scrapquitler]

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.

I probably wouldn't go to a baby shower for someone I didn't know well, but if I did decide to go, I would probably bring a Babies R Us or a Walmart of Target gift card for about $20/$25.

 

[antmaril]

I am invited to a baby shower for a woman I have never met. She is the daughter of my best friend's cousin. I get invited to a lot of my friend's family events and I am delighted to be invited to this baby shower. Anyway, my plan is to buy a little outfit or onesie for the baby and give the mother a Babies-R-Us gift card. The shower will be in Michigan, but the mother lives in Texas. This seems like the best way to go. I will spend about $40.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Sorry but I think the worst gift at a baby shower are a pack of diapers. Its like buying a pack of underwear for a bday party.

If you hardly know her, i'd decline the invite. If you really wanna go thou, i'd fill a basket with goodies such as a bath towel, sleeper, blanket, rattle. Basket gifts can be a great money saver, and theyre pretty too, when packaged correctly.

 

[MomofKatie]

When I am invited to a shower for someone I don't know well or at all (DH's work colleagues, for example), my usual $$ amount is $15-20. The gift is almost always stuff that new moms need and go through quickly, like:

disposable diapers
diaper wipes
baby lotion, baby wash, baby shampoo
baby care kit (tiny nail clippers, snot-sucking bulb thingy, etc)
drooler bibs
burp cloths

Believe me, young moms get too many tiny clothes for new babies- they can't wear everything before it gets outgrown! I like to give more practical gifts. Diapers and wipes aren't glamorous, but the cost really adds up and it is nice to have a stockpile built up before the baby comes.

 

[hlg22]

I usually try to give a mix of cute/useful items, so I'll usually give a mix of cute outfit (not newborn sizes), toys, books, something from the registry, etc. For close friends, I'll pick an especially meaningful book and write an inscription, but for someone I didn't know well I'd just choose an assortment or just go with something from their registry that suited my budget.

One thing that I've given and had several parents mention to me later how odd they thought it was originally but how useful they found it later is the Winkel toy - it is cheap and available on Amazon, and babies love holding it and chewing on it when they start teething. I also have given the Trumpette socks and they are adorable and very practical.

 

[blana]

If I were you, I'd probably do a pack of diapers (size 2 or 3) & wipes &/or some board books (love Sandra Boynton books) or a gift card to Target/Walmart/where ever she's registered. (Oh, and the zip up sleepers mentioned by several people were never used at our house. I hated having to unzip completely for diaper changes. My niece on the other hand loved them & couldn't understand why I didn't use them with DD2.)

 

[HelenePA]

Sorry but I think the worst gift at a baby shower are a pack of diapers. Its like buying a pack of underwear for a bday party.

If you hardly know her, i'd decline the invite. If you really wanna go thou, i'd fill a basket with goodies such as a bath towel, sleeper, blanket, rattle. Basket gifts can be a great money saver, and theyre pretty too, when packaged correctly.

Well I dont know anyone who goes thru 12 underwear in a day if they did I would buy them undies!

OP diapers and wipes.. size 2 or up. She'll more then likely get a ton of size 1, and if youre going to buy onsies get a bigger size like 6-9m.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Thats funny.

Well I dont know anyone who goes thru 12 underwear in a day if they did I would buy them undies!

OP diapers and wipes.. size 2 or up. She'll more then likely get a ton of size 1, and if youre going to buy onsies get a bigger size like 6-9m.

 

[TinkerBelled]

Board books are five or six dollars. Even one of those with a nice note is a lovely present for someone you don't know well. (I am a particular fan of the Very Hungry Caterpillar.)