I need some baby shower gift ideas!

[disneyfreakk]

Hello all! I have 2 baby showers to attend in the next couple of months and need some help. This will be the first child for both couples. What were some of the things you recieved or would have liked to recieve as a new parent that you loved and never would have thought you would need it ?? We dont have children so I just dont know, and I keep getting the ol " Just whatever you think" answer when I ask. I wouldnt mind giving money, but I think a gift is more thoughtfull.

TIA,
Kellie

 

[GatorGal]

I just recently purchased a book called Baby Gami and it's so cute. It shows you how to wrap your baby up in just about anything. Even shows you how to make a sling out of just a blanket. I thought it would make a nice shower gift since the mom to be would have time to look it over before the little one arrives. Barnes and Noble has it, it runs about $15, so depending on how much you spend on such gifts, you could also get a nice blanket to go with it.

HTH

Debb

 

[disneyfreakk]

That is an unusal gift! sounds neat. I usually spend about $200 for baby and wedding gifts. I tend to look for things that maybe they couldnt afford otherwise.

 

[GatorGal]

Well, if they're not registered and haven't already picked out a car seat, how about the Britax Companion infant seat.? It runs about $190 but has a lot of features that other infant seat don't have. It's got side impact protection, a patened anti-rebound bar, EPS foam, and can be tethered rear facing. Alot of people don't think it's unnecessary to spend that much on an infant seat (babies are in it until they reach 22 lbs or 30 inches long, or up to about 7 months old). All car seats have to pass the same federal standards tests so parents often opt for a less expensive infant seat.

I had a video monitor for DD that I couldn't have lived without. Although audio monitors worked just fine, it was nice to be able to see she was sleeping soundly. I think they might have color ones now although mine was black and white.

HTH

 

[tiggercrew]

Lately when I have attended baby showers I like to buy a pretty basket (usually in the color scheme of the nursery) and fill it with all kinds of things from receiving blankets, little teddy bears, baby wash, towels or whatever else I can find. After you fill it you can use that shrink wrap to make it look really nice. You can spend as much or little as you want, and they can use the basket later for books or toys as the child grows.

Good luck!

 

[mommy2savannah]

I really enjoyed recieving photo albums and picture frames. Also, maybe a pajama set for the mom to be. I went to a baby shower where the mom recieved a basket filled with toiletries to take to the hospital. I thought it was such a cute idea!

 

[Fish2girls]

I like to get something from the Baby Einstein collection. I have 2 girls and both loved this collection when they were babies up until they were about 2yrs or maybe 3yrs. Check it out www.babyeinstein.com The DVD's are award winners and the toys are fabulous!!! This company is owned by Disney as well!
Sure to be lots of fun as the baby grows to each stage.

 

[minkydog]

With my first baby I was so clueless--i didn't know what i needed. One list I picked up said you must have 6 "piluchos" I eventually figured out what that was(a type of onesie) but it definitely wasn't a "must have".

Things that made my life easier were:
*jersey bed sheets--so soft & warm
*crib-size waterproof pad
*cloth diapers--reflux babies
*child-size clothes hangers
*crib-size cotton thermal blanket--good spring weight--DS10 still has his
*clothes in 6-9 months sizes
*cotton breast pads for the nursing mother
OR
*bottle & nipple holder for the dishwasher for the bottle feeding mother
*non-feminine diaper bag, so Dad won't feel like a idiot when he's holding the baby
*Baby Mozart or similar CDs
*quilt for laying on the floor so baby can have floor time

 

[Desnik]

Well, I'm famous for my gift baskets, especially for baby showers!! This is what I do. I usually get the wicker baskets from my local craft store. The kind that you can use for laundry. So it can be used after as a laundry basket. I layer the bottom with receiving blankets, towels, wash cloths and clothing. For the clothing I always put a variety of sizes. Most of the time for baby showers the moms are given newborn/3-6 months sizes. I like to put larger size onesies and pj's too. Then I add all kinds of little stuff. Like scratch mittens, grooming kit, wipes in a to go container, travel size shampoo, bath soap, powder, small photo album, mylicon drops and baby meds, baby oragel, disposable bibs and changing pads. Nose aspirator, forhead thermometer, stuffed toy. You can really go crazy with the little stuff! If you want try going to a local baby store to get ideas.

As a mom myself for my babies I love my infant carrier, the Baby Bjorn. Couldn't live without it!! Also, you never have enough diapers, wipes, or pj's, and onesies. But we loved the scratch mittens.

Have fun baby shopping!!

 

[malibuconlee]

The last two showers I've given gifts for I bought car seats, but that was for my DS and DSIL, I wouldn't usually spend that much. I think once they're out of the carrier a couple should have two. One for mom's and one for dad's vehicle. Makes it so much easier especially if one is picking up and the other dropping off.

Someone on these boards said she always buys a gift certificate to a portrait studio. I love that idea and will probably use that in the future.

Did the mom register? Look at Target.com and you can put in the mom's name to see if she registered there. For the amount you're prepared to spend you should be able to pick up one of the larger items off of the registry.

 

[Minnie824]

One of the best gifts I got for my 1st was a pottery barn laundry basket with the gingham lining...then there was tons of needed stuff in it...My daughter is almost 5 and we still use this basket constantly, and its so cute! Also, both my DDs have special 'blankies'. They don't have them at the store I got them at anymore but I believe its walcot weavers brand (do a search, I ordered a 'backup' one from a store in CA). I did NOT need any yellow or green clothing in size 0-3Mos...everyone buys that size, and that hardly lasts. Also maybe something special...a special stuffed animal, or piggy bank (you could put a savings bond or something inside).

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

Great Idea from a lady at work the other day. She bought a bookcase, explaining that the theme of the shower was baby's books. Every guest was to bring a book, so as to fill the bookcase. You could do this, adding your favorites, or your children's favorites. I myself am a big reader, and when we have children, I am going to be in hog heaven being able to read to them.

Mom is also a "basket nut". She loves to put them together. I have done several for Christmas and birthdays. There are always so many things to put in them, as other posters have pointed out. Do either of the showers have themes? Or do you know if the new moms have names picked out, colors for the babies' rooms, etc. Sometimes just knowing these little details helps out a lot too.

 

[Snow Brite]

I always get first time moms a vaporizer and the stuff to go in the meds cabinet. Baby Tylenol, Baby Motrin, Balmex, the gas bubble stuff (I cant recall the name!) a nasal aspirator, thermometer, etc etc etc. This is always stuff you dont know you need until 2am when you NEED IT RIGHT NOW!

Not a cute and romantic baby gift but I cannot tell you the number of times I can gotten a calls later on from a new mom saying thank you....I just used the vaporizer last night when Baby was having trouble sleeping with her stuffy nose and I wanted to call and tell you thank you!

For second time parents (when they have a shower) I usually do a bath gift, with the Lavender soothing shampoo and bath wash, a bath mit, a rubber ducky, etc. These are things that wear out fast with the first baby, so they are good gifts.

I guess I am a practical woman at heart!

 

[missymagic]

I love the book shelf Idea. I also try to get something for the mom. Usually a PJ set from Victorias secret. of course it depends on how much weight your friend had gained. Use your judgement. If you think it would be too over whelming for her them maybe a gift card for a massage after baby is born and offer to baby sit.

 

[minkydog]

I always get first time moms a vaporizer and the stuff to go in the meds cabinet. Baby Tylenol, Baby Motrin, Balmex, the gas bubble stuff (I cant recall the name!) a nasal aspirator, thermometer, etc etc etc. This is always stuff you dont know you need until 2am when you NEED IT RIGHT NOW!

Not a cute and romantic baby gift but I cannot tell you the number of times I can gotten a calls later on from a new mom saying thank you....I just used the vaporizer last night when Baby was having trouble sleeping with her stuffy nose and I wanted to call and tell you thank you!

For second time parents (when they have a shower) I usually do a bath gift, with the Lavender soothing shampoo and bath wash, a bath mit, a rubber ducky, etc. These are things that wear out fast with the first baby, so they are good gifts.

I guess I am a practical woman at heart!

Ooo,ooo, TARGET has the cutest humidifiers! One looks like a penguin--the mist comes out of his mouth--and the other is a frong, I think. Very , Very Cute!

 

[toesmom]

buy the family a month's supply of diapers... families can get everything else second hand if they want.

But diapers are expensive and they will remember you everytime they go to put one on their little one!

How I would have liked that gift.

 

[Shagley]

My Cousin just had a baby in February, and one think that I think would have been nice is if she would have had a guest book to keep in the hospital with her. She had sooooo many visitors, and I didn't think until too late that it would have been nice to have had everyone sign in a little guest book.

The other idea that I think is really helpful is the "Thermoscan" thermometer...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...bbs_b_2_2/103-5399076-1200626?v=glance&s=baby

I work in a Medical College, and our Pediatric department uses these. You just gently slide it along the baby's forhead and the temperature reading is as accurate as a rectal thermometer and much more accurate than an ear thermometer (it registers the temperature of the blood going through the temporal artery). You don't even have to wake up a sleeping baby, and you are done in a couple of seconds. Also, this can be used on adults as well, so it will be used for many years (I even got one for me). I got it at Walmart for $29.00.

 

[GatorGal]

I always get first time moms a vaporizer and the stuff to go in the meds cabinet. Baby Tylenol, Baby Motrin, Balmex, the gas bubble stuff (I cant recall the name!) a nasal aspirator, thermometer, etc etc etc. This is always stuff you dont know you need until 2am when you NEED IT RIGHT NOW!

Not a cute and romantic baby gift but I cannot tell you the number of times I can gotten a calls later on from a new mom saying thank you....I just used the vaporizer last night when Baby was having trouble sleeping with her stuffy nose and I wanted to call and tell you thank you!

That's a great idea! I think some first time parents don't know what they'll need or what to buy when it comes to stuff like medications. It's great to have it on hand when you need it to medicate a sick baby in the middle of the night!

 

[disneyfreakk]

I always get first time moms a vaporizer and the stuff to go in the meds cabinet. Baby Tylenol, Baby Motrin, Balmex, the gas bubble stuff (I cant recall the name!) a nasal aspirator, thermometer, etc etc etc. This is always stuff you dont know you need until 2am when you NEED IT RIGHT NOW!

Not a cute and romantic baby gift but I cannot tell you the number of times I can gotten a calls later on from a new mom saying thank you....I just used the vaporizer last night when Baby was having trouble sleeping with her stuffy nose and I wanted to call and tell you thank you!

For second time parents (when they have a shower) I usually do a bath gift, with the Lavender soothing shampoo and bath wash, a bath mit, a rubber ducky, etc. These are things that wear out fast with the first baby, so they are good gifts.

I guess I am a practical woman at heart!

This is a wonderful idea! What is the "etc, etc" ?? Would I just get everything that is for a baby at the pharmacy? HELP! LOL! I know it might seem idiot proof but if the new parents dont know what they will need, how will I? My furbabies are the only sick kids I have been around.

 

[ToTLaugher]

Disneyfreakk the "etc., etc." might be ipicac (if I spelled that correctly, it is the stuff to give a child if they swallow certain poisons), orajel, Pediacare, baby nasal spray, Simply Saline gel, Aquaphor ointment and even baby sunscreen. HTH