Budget new baby gift ideas

[disneysmiles]

Hello disers.

So my DH and I have 2 or 3 friends who have just had babies. For some it's their 2nd or 3rd child.

What would be an inexpensive, welcome gift for new parents? We don't have any kids yet so we are a bit clueless

I know ya'll have fabulous budget ideas. I was hooked on the healthy cheap breakfast thread so much so I made some of my own! Thanks for your help!

 

[cassandrap83]

I don't think you an go wrong with diapers & wipes. Every parent NEEDS them, and they are very much appreciated.

 

[badblackpug]

Or a little basket of necessities. infants tyleonol, mylicon, benadryl, diaper rash cream, baby wash, baby lotion, baby shampoo, rectal thermometer, swabs, vaseline, ambesol, medicine dropper, pacifiers, nasal aspirators.

 

[LuLuO]

I agree with the PP but you could also offer to go grocery shopping for them or maybe watch the older kids so that mom and dad can spend time with the newborn alone. Also, if they are really close friends you could offer to do laundry or some light cleaning or yardwork.

 

[java]

My standard baby gift is a personalized baby fleece blanket from Landsend. It's about $25 after personalization.

 

[wlake]

I usually make up a gift bag of things that I used tons of when my boys were babies. I would also add little notes to each one indicating why I bought it, but as you don't have kids, that probably wouldn't work for you!

Some thoughts and what I used to write:
laundry stain remover (Laundry is your new hobby!)
baby washcloths (You can never have enough. Ever.)
travel packs of wipes (Trust me.)
feeding spoons (One for you to feed with, 5 for baby to throw.)
a small baby toy (For baby to hit him/herself in the face with so you can feel guilty.)
small cloth bibs (For when the teeth start and the drool doesn't stop.)

I can't think of anything else right now, but as a PP mentioned, showing up to do some basic chores is wonderful. There were days I would have traded my soul for a shower. Also, if you have a very large group of friends going in on a gift, friends and coworkers of my DH's all got together and gave us a month of a lawn service that mowed and weedwacked. That was a huge help too in those first hazy weeks.

 

[DisneyBrooke81]

Diapers and wipes by far were my favorite gift when my 2nd DD was born. We already had so much of the other stuff!! That is one thing you can't go wrong with. If you do go that route, I would get Size 2s or 3s, since people tend to buy newborns and 1s, which they really are not in that long!

 

[java]

If you are crafty at all making little sock lollipops are cute. or even washcloth ones.
I saw cute ones at a fair this weekend- they used brown and pink making little swirl pops.

 

[Perditamarie]

I agree with the diapers and wipes...also, another idea is dinner! Bring over a homemade lasagna that they can freeze or eat with some garlic bread and you will be a FABULOUS friend!!

 

[irishsharon]

Wine trust me they have a bottle called mommies little helperThe dinner idea is great I did this for my sister in law and she loved itand so did her husband and older child

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

A little basket full of your favorite childrens books would be cute. You could line it with a little blanket and put a stuffed animal in it. Kohls has Winnie the Pooh Stuffies and books for $5 right now. I have also made new moms a cd of my favorite soft music and lulabys.

PS. our favorite bedtime story is Sailing Off to Sleep.

 

[StitchBuddy]

Since you said inexpensive I would suggest going to Kohl's and buying an outfit for around $10 or like someone else said diapers.

 

[Shleedogg]

Diapers and wipes would be great, just make sure they don't cloth diaper. We do, and I'd be very appreciative but feel bad if someone bought us some because we couldn't use them.

Balmex, Tyelnol, Baby Legs, socks, Gerber kimono onesies (so much easier to put on when they are really tiny), dinner! Give them a gc to a take-out restaurant, pizza place, or just make them a few trays of mac & cheese, lasagna, etc. Dinners were a life saver! If you like spending time with their other kids, an afternoon of baby-sitting. Maybe take the kids to the zoo or children's museum. Minimal entertaining on your part but it would make a world of difference to the parents and the child.

I would steer clear of blankets and toys, if this is a 2nd or 3rd child, they have plenty. I'm sure they would be appreciated, but they won't be really useful.

 

[karinbelle]

I don't think you an go wrong with diapers & wipes. Every parent NEEDS them, and they are very much appreciated.

I'm a new mom for the 3rd time. I bought one reusable diaper (Fuzzy Bunz) and use it at night. I then throw it in with the wash in the morning load. I still use disposable for daytime and when we are on vacation.

I feel that every time I use this cloth diaper it is one less thing in the landfill. It only takes about 100 uses to pay for itself in disposables. That's just a little over three months if you use it once a day.

It is a one-size which means it is adjustable and will fit from newborn to 35-40 pounds. There are many brands to try.

A reusable diaper is my new go-to gift for baby showers. This is one of the things where you don't have to go all the way to make a difference.

I bought a variety pack at Kelly's Closet (diapershops.com) last week because I wanted to try some other brands. We have been pleased with the results so far.

http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/ is Kelly's blog. Check it out.

I wish someone had given me one for my children. I would have done this with all three.

 

[pearlieq]

Another vote for dinner.

Either a gift card for a local pizza/sandwich shop or a homemade meal that can be easily heated up.

Bonus points for bringing it over in foil pans they can just rinse and recycle. It sure beats having to wash and return dishes.

 

[Justsyd2]

A gift that I love to give is to go over and do housework/watch the baby for a day while Mom rests, and then do their errands/shopping.

 

[disneysmiles]

Another vote for dinner.

Either a gift card for a local pizza/sandwich shop or a homemade meal that can be easily heated up.

Bonus points for bringing it over in foil pans they can just rinse and recycle. It sure beats having to wash and return dishes.

I hadn't thought of foil pans for dinners. Nice!

 

[gr8mommy]

2nd or 3rd baby? Offer to take the older two out, so she can take a nap!

 

[dawson5]

I've made quilts before. It takes time, fairly economical and making them yourself is a nice touch. I know I had a ton of receiving blankets and store bought blankets but the handmade ones are just more special. My boys all have theirs still, those were the ones that they loved the most. I put up the ones that the great grandma's knitted.

Also, how old are the older children? If there is a big span, what about the safety things like cabinet locks and outlet covers? They might not need them for a while but they do come in handy.

 

[TLuvsD]

Dinner would be great. Or take the older kids for a while so everyone gets some "special time".