I need some baby shower gift ideas!

[liamandcaili]

There are only two things that my children (now 7 and 4) still have that I received at their baby showers. They are their blankets. DS received a super soft blue blanket that he still has and calls his blue pillow. DD received a silk/flannel blanket from Magic Cabin (a really great site for indulgent baby/kid things!) and she will not sleep without it.

As for baby things that I could not live without...the floor activity mat, the baby swing and a great stroller. The baby swing was especially a life-saver because both my children loved it when they were little and they would fall asleep. I would put them in it when I knew they were really overtired but were having a difficult time settling down. The floor mat was so stimulating and entertaining for both, and of course, the good stroller -- one that is comfortable but also easy to transport and handle -- is essential.

Oh, and the Baby Einstein videos another poster suggested are great...for the child. They may drive the parents mad. However, "Mozart" was one of DS's first 20 words because of that series.

Have fun shopping!

 

[ksumn1]

I think the basket gift is a great idea. I always received alot of blankets, towels and washcloths so I don't usually but those as a gift. Bath supplies medicine supplies, a thermometer those are all the types of things that you really need but don't always buy, especailly since you don't know WHAT to but if it's the 1st baby. You can scan a copy of What to Expct when you're expecting or any good baby guide book and find a list of what to buy. I think the best gift I received was diapers and wipes. I receive one of the HUGE boxes of wipes that lasted at least 9 months and about 20 packs of diapers in sizes form Newborn up to a size 2 or 3. It was a godsend. People tell you babies ar poopy machines but you don't really understand it until you experience it for yourself. I would also second the idea of purchasing a car seat or stroller as a gift. I have to say you sound like a very kind and generous person. Let us know what you decide to get!

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

what about a diaper cake?

I made one of these for my SIL --buy a large package of diapers and arrange them in "tiers" by tying with ribbons. Adorn the "cake" with small toys, "washcloth" flowers (tied with pipecleaners), etc. It helps to have two sets of hands to put the tiers together (I also used bristol board cut and taped into circles to cotain the diapers). Hold the tiers together with a paper towel roll.

Try googling diaper cake and see if you can find a picture. The diapers are useable and all the decorations on the cake also come in handy.

 

[llp479]

Even before I had my girls, I always did the basket filled with all the meds. Guess that's what happens when you're mom's a nurse and your dad is a pediatric dentist

I would do everything from diaper rash ointment to little nail clippers. Teething rings that can be frozen, baby oragel you name it! Just wandered the aisles at Target dropping in what ever looked good. For my SIL I bought all the disposable feeding items - throw away bibs, spoons, etc.

Funny how many of us here have the same idea, but yet I'm the only one I've ever seen do it at a shower. If I buy clothes, I always buy larger sizes.

I never had a baby shower. My first pregnancy was twins and they arrived 9 weeks early, so there was no shower. No one gave one for me when I was pg with my youngest either.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

The Babygami book is awesome. You can couple that with the "Happiest Baby on the Block" book, Baby Einstein "Lullaby Classcs" CD, and a set of larger blankets for swaddling. Most blankets on the market aren't large enough to properly swaddle an infant after about 6-8 weeks of age.

If you wanted to get something for mom to use later, how about a good umbrella stroller like a Maclaren Volo?

 

[KimberlyC]

I've attended so many baby showers. My own was in 2004. I threw my secretary a shower last July and my Dsis a shower last month. For her shower I placed a nice poem with the invitation that said the following:

We're inviting friends and family dear
To choose a favorite story they would like Baby to hear.
If you plan to bring a card
Instead please take a look
At your special choice of a little storybook.
And then to Baby (insert mom's name) and (insert dad's name) will read
With all the love a newborn will need.
Please add your name and a note for a personal touch.
For years to come, Baby will thank you so much.
After all, a book is a treasure
That Baby (insert last name) will have and cherish forever.

My Dsis did something similar for my shower, but with a different poem. We each received many wonderful books and DH and I read a few to my DS everyday and tell him who they were from. Books are a great idea. My DS loves his books. Dsis' best friend received a bookshelf full of books for her baby shower. She knew what she was having and had picked out a name so the bookself was decorated with painted wooden letters spelling his name. What a great gift! And even without a bookshelf, signing a book instead of a card that will be thrown away is a priceless keepsake.

Another fantastic idea is to purchase a hamper, a rope and some old fashioned clothes pins. Take outfits, sleepers, onesies, hats, booties, books, rattles, packs of pacifiers, bibs, teething toys etc (just be certain to get some larger sizes like 6-9 months because new parents receive SO many newborn and 0-3 and the babies grow out of them so quickly) and clothespin them to the rope. If you want to add oragel, diaper cream, body wash, baby lotion etc - just get a little wine bottle organza type bag at Michaels or other craft store and put items in that and clip it to the rope. I use those bags to store my DS's little stuff in still. Put the stuff on a rope in the hamper (or nice basket). When mom-to-be opens it (with the help of DH or host) she will be able to spread it out and display it at the shower. I've used this idea and it was a huge hit. Another woman used it at my Dsis shower last month and got a round of applause for creativity. Also, the little items are the things that people don't usually buy for fear of looking cheap, but the costs of them really add up and they are necessary and when presented in a nice way, with so much thought put into selecting them...its just a great gift that will really be appreciated.

Other items I could not live without:
Floppy Seat (available at Babies R us through Amazon.com for $40 or so). It goes over the shopping cart to protect from germs - great for smaller kids too big for infant carrier but not really big enough to sit in a cart without some padding.
The fingernail clipper, comb/brush kit.
Good size Diaper bag with wipe case, changing mat.
Rockapiller - a plush rocking horse, except its not a horse its a catepillar or a ladybug or a lion or a bear (lots of different animals to choose from) - costs around $100 plus shipping. Made by the Mamas & Papas - European toy maker. My DS has Charlie Catepillar and I just bought one for my DS. I used it as a display at her shower. I took it from the box and tied balloons to it and in the back I tied to it a small box set of books (5 little ladybugs, 5 little monkeys and a third book) signed by DS to his baby cousin. It looked so cute.
Baby monitor - we still use ours even though he's a toddler.
Wooden toy chest.
Beautiful croched baby blankets hand made by MIL. DS won't go to sleep without it.

The one item my Dsis wanted more than any other was a Moses Basket ($140 at Babies r us/ amaxon.com). Its like a bassinet that goes with you from room to room, across the street to the neighbors, etc. Ok, its really just a padded basket with a handle, but my Dsis is convinced she will not be able to live without it. Fortunately she received one.

You've gotten so many ideas! I'm sure you'll pick the perfect gift. Yeah for you for being such a good friend and give the gifts so much thought!

 

[Karenj2]

If I'm close to the person that's having the baby, and I know that they will be getting the basics, I've made these:

Otherwise, I usually get a basket and fill it with the small necessities.

 

[mamacatnv]

I love the book case idea, I think that is fabulous!

I loved our hook on chairs and I buy them for all new parents. I have gotten more grateful comments. They are the type of chair that come with a tray like a hi-chair but they fold flat and fit into the trunk of the car w/ease. They be hooked onto the edge of a table(w/legs) a bar style counter top, a picnic table, a cafeteria table at an older siblings school, tables in restaurants etc..... They make feeding anywhere great, plus we used ours camping and at friends house's for toy play and as they got older coloring etc.

On another note, my girlfriend got the papasan baby swing and just loves it!

MamaCatNV

 

[Snow Brite]

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.

LOL! Sorry! It depends on how much I want to spend. For my best friend I got her EVERYTHING. The other things were the rubbing alcohol, q-tips, vaseline, lotion, Baby Tylenol Cold, Lansinol (sp? the lanolin for the nursing mom), neosporin, Vicks, and anything else I come across. Those new plug in Vicks seem like a good idea. The gas med is Mylicon! I remembered it last night as I was falling asleep.

For a work friend I might just get the vaporizer and the tylenol, motrin, and a few little things.

Thats funny someone else does this too! I have never come across anyone else giving this gift and I am always a little worried with people I dont know that well that they will not think its as great as all the little, tiny size 0-3 month pink frilly outfits. But even if they arent that excited when they open it, they are 4 months later when Baby has their first cold.

 

[nicolem]

When DS was born in 2004, my favorite gift was a collection from the Great Green Room (www.greatgreenroom.com). I don't remember everything it had in it, but I do remember that the blankets, towels, and cloth diapers they used were of a much higher quality (softer, thicker, more tightly woven, etc.) than any of the others we received. They're the only ones we saved for our next kid, whenever he or she comes along. It also included the most adorable outfit - probably the most photographed outfit DS had, because he looked so cute in it! They ship all over the U.S., I think. I've used them a couple of times since then because I was so impressed with the basket I received.

 

[RN01]

If they are planning on breastfeeding, a BOPPY PILLOW is a must!! Also I just watched a video called "The Happiest Baby ON The Block". It's about how to calm babies when they are fussy and you've tried everything you can think of. I thought that would be a great baby gift.