Help! Need Creative Baby Shower Gift Idea

[mjkacmom]

My 2 go-to shower gifts:

Medical basket for first year: baby tylenol/motrin, diaper cream, mylecon, teething tablets, benedryl, benedryl cream, a couple different thermometers, neosporin, aquaphore, kid bandaids, nail clippers, tweezers, nasal asperator... I always throw in a jar of bananas/rice baby food, for tummy troubles.

Or, a couple of pairs of Robeez shoes - best ever! They stay on, and are so cute! http://www.robeez.com/Department.aspx?DeptID=312&PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US

With that many guests, I would stay away from all clothing, and the typical blankets/towels/bibs - they'll get plenty.

 

[irishsharon]

My favorite gifts where a handmade quilt and other handmade gifts.I LOVED the massage certificate!!!!!!!!I also like the meal idea after the baby arrives,both new parents will enjoy a home cooked meal. I usually bring friends a pan of baked ziti,salad,french bread and some wine.Also it was very nice to get gift cards for all the things you did'nt think you needed!!!!!

 

[Sandi]

I love the book ideal! as much as I love to read, I can't believe that I never thought of this one!

My book group members gave me books for a baby shower 17 years ago. We received a wide variety of books -- from baby board books to Caldecott and Newberry award winners. Each book club member signed the book they chose. We still have them all. One of the best gifts ever.

 

[JKMastalski]

Okay, here is what I always do and its always a HUGE hit:
Go to Carters, (or someplace similar) and buy some cute pajama's - then you are going to go to the bookstore and buy board books that coincide with the pajamas - for example - if you bought pj's that had bears on it, you could get the board book "we're going on a bear hunt". If they had monkey's you could get "10 little monkey's jumping on the bed", etc. etc. Its really fun to do. Then I wrap each pair of PJ's with the book in front inside clear cellophane - I usually do about 6-8 groups and put them in a basket.
Usually works out to be around $100. If you have time, order the books from amazon, its always much cheaper!

 

[puffkin]

I would do a gift basket with stuff from Tastefully Simple or some of the other quick meal places. Easy to make quick meals for after baby arrives (or even gift certificates would be heaven to me!) With that many people, she will get way too many clothes, bibs, blankets, etc. Even diapers are kind of hard, because if she gets too many of a size it may be hard to exchange if baby grows out of them. And they are really bulky to store if you do larger sizes.

I am not a big fan of sentimental things or things like engraved frames, plates, embroidered quilts, etc. I guess I just am too practical.

I know gift cards aren't fun....but that is what I would have loved the most. I also like the idea of certificates for massages (or pedicures!) or for photo places!

 

[Soulsearching]

Poster Here.

I just love this Budget Board.

Thank you all for all the great ideas.

You guys really came through for me.

Now all I have to do is pick and choose, buy or make, but I'm so glad I have so many choices.

Thanks again!

 

[yanni2]

Some of the gifts I have done have been in themes:

Bath theme: bath tub filled with bath products, towels, washcloths, tub toys, etc

Diaper theme: wipes, diapers in several sizes stacked in a tower

Food theme: bibs, baby spoons, baby bowls, sippy cups, those plastic table liners for restaurants...etc

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Oh my word if she's already getting 100 gifts and the registry is cleaned out, that's more than enough 'baby gifts.' Go with the books. My family treasures the books that we were given at baby showers! Or write a very nice, sincere blessing in a card and give a gift card to Target or Babiesrus.

 

[Plutos Mommy]

I generally get a laundry basket and fill it with things new parents always need and run out of...diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment, baby shampoo, baby powder, cloth diapers to use as burp rags, nail clippers, etc. I know as a new parent I way underestimated the amount of diapers I would need.

 

[mrsklamc]

OP there are some great suggestions here. I personally would steer away from the following unless you know the recipients' preferences:

The massage- I personally love massages and go every month. But not everyone likes to be touched by strangers.

The sling- Although PP and many other mothers love them, I wouldn't want to purchase something not knowing if it was used.

The sleeper with bottle/nipple positioned to represent baby's gender- unless you know the person and their sense of humor well. Some people would find this cute, others would find it inappropriate.

 

[Pigeon]

I would get a stack of books. Not just baby books, but books for various childhood ages. Choose titles that are significant to you, whether they were your favorites in your youth, or the ones you've enjoyed with your own children. Inside each book, include a bookplate with a sentence or two on what that book means to you and why the new baby will enjoy it.

With $50-$100 you should be able to get 5-10 hardcovers; double that if you buy paperbacks. I can't imagine receiving a better or more thoughtful gift.

This is my standard baby shower gift. I take my (older) kids to the book store with me, and we have a blast, usually picking out the titles that used to be their favorites. I don't do book plates though because if they are duplicates of something they have, I want them to be able to return the books. I also often throw in a CD of Laurie Berkner's "Victor Vito," which was our all-time favorite.