ideas for baby shower gift?

[nairv]

One of my friends is having her baby shower next week, and I am stumped as to what to get her. She already had a shower from her side of the family and has recieved numerous gifts-most of her registry is gone, except for some big ticket items. this shower coming up is being hosted by her husband's side. the only affordable stuff remaining on her registry is stuff like onesies and diapers, and I would really like to get her something more memorable, staying within budget, of course.
I was planning to spend $50-$60.
This is her 1st, and she does not know the sex of the baby.
I have known her since we were little, and we are friends, but not all that close.
Any ideas?

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

One of my friends is having her baby shower next week, and I am stumped as to what to get her. She already had a shower from her side of the family and has recieved numerous gifts-most of her registry is gone, except for some big ticket items. this shower coming up is being hosted by her husband's side. the only affordable stuff remaining on her registry is stuff like onesies and diapers, and I would really like to get her something more memorable, staying within budget, of course.
I was planning to spend $50-$60.
This is her 1st, and she does not know the sex of the baby.
I have known her since we were little, and we are friends, but not all that close.
Any ideas?

I always give diapers and wipes

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I usually try to give things that others don't normall think of. I go to Wal Mart and buy a wicker laundry basket (less than $5) and fill it with Dreft detergent and stain remover, wash cloths and hooded towels, diaper rash ointment, baby tooth brush, nail clippers, things like that. I have always gotten huge thanks yous from the Moms, since these are things that you absolutely use, but folks usually don't buy as gifts. Hope that helps!

 

[nairv]

thanks! the "essentials" basket is a great idea!

 

[starann]

I neat idea is a gift certificate for pictures after the baby comes at a nice studio (Picture People, Portrait Innovations, Sadies). Sometimes they are too costly and a gc will help. They make a lasting gift.

 

[zero2riches4me]

What I liked when I had my shower was one of my cousin's gave me older clothes. I got a ton of newborn and 0-3 months, but she gave me some 3-6 and even some 6-9 months, so I knew that I always had some clothes for my boy in case he had a growth spurt or something.

 

[stsomewhere]

How about a gift certificcate for meals when the baby is born?
After my sisiter had her baby, I went to GFS and bought frozen meals such as lasagne and chicken dishes. Her DH just popped them in. I lso, made meals for a few days, salad, entree and dessert and dropped it off.

 

[clh2]

I neat idea is a gift certificate for pictures after the baby comes at a nice studio (Picture People, Portrait Innovations, Sadies). Sometimes they are too costly and a gc will help. They make a lasting gift.

I agree 100% with this. A GC to a studio is a wonderful idea! We gave one to my BIL/SIL when they adopted DNiece, and they loved it.

 

[iggbees]

What I liked when I had my shower was one of my cousin's gave me older clothes. I got a ton of newborn and 0-3 months, but she gave me some 3-6 and even some 6-9 months, so I knew that I always had some clothes for my boy in case he had a growth spurt or something.

that's what i did for a friend of mine for her shower. one thing i thought was a good idea especially since you never know when there's going to be a freezing cold day up here, i bought footed pajamas for a 3-6 month old. i figured it would be helpful since it is her first child and i know my mom said, you never know when they're going to outgrow their clothes. i also gave bpa free bottles (the drop in ones), pacifiers, receiving blankets.

 

[KK'sMommy]

How about the supplies and a recipe for homemade baby wipes?

http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/homemade-baby-wipes-recipes.html

* 2 TBSP Baby Wash
* 2 TBSP Olive Oil or 1 TBSP Calendula Oil
* 2 Drops Tea Tree Oil
* 2 Cups Water

I do mine a little differently than it says on this website. I use a round rubbermaid container, with a half roll of wipes in it. I then add the solution and turn the container upside down. You can either dispense from this container or use a regular wipes container. You could buy all of the ingredients (soft paper towels, oils, baby wash, container) and arrange them in a pretty basket with the recipe printed on a nice card. You could also include some soft washcloths that could be used as reusable wipes and a spray bottle. Add a tube of Burt's Bees Diaper Ointment and you are good to go!

 

[fortheboys]

2 of the best gifts I received were:

Gift certificate to local pizza place - they deliver salads/dinners etc, and it was the 1st thing I grabbed for on that 1st week home!

Gift certificate for salon services - I used it about a month after the baby was born, when I felt "frumpy".

 

[Lisa_M]

some crafty ideas:
how about a premade scrapbook, where all she has to do is put the pictures in. Or making something like a cross stitch sampler for the wall. If you crochet or knit, make a sweater, blanket or stuffed toy.

These were all gifts that were really memorable for me when I had DD

ETA: I see the party is next week, I would do a basket of essentials

 

[nairv]

wow! thanks for all the wonderful ideas!! now i have lots to choose from-thanks everyone!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Oh, a gift certificate for a pedicure and an offer to babysit!

 

[PaulaSue]

I always wanted to get a diaper cake when I was preggo, especially after my 1st baby and didn't need much with having all girls. This is what I made tonight for my cousin's baby shower since they are not finding out the sex until D day.

BTW, it is a diaper cake with bigger size diapers since I figure she will get a lot of the little sizes....

Maybe you could do something like this. No real formula to make it, I just added stuff for baby care and the 3 toys are from the girls since they were invited to and wanted to pick out toys.

 

[Mililani Mouser]

my very pregnant friend asked me to buy her a massage gift certificate.

 

[Crystal0608]

I usually try to give things that others don't normall think of. I go to Wal Mart and buy a wicker laundry basket (less than $5) and fill it with Dreft detergent and stain remover, wash cloths and hooded towels, diaper rash ointment, baby tooth brush, nail clippers, things like that. I have always gotten huge thanks yous from the Moms, since these are things that you absolutely use, but folks usually don't buy as gifts. Hope that helps!

I rec'd a wicker basket w/ stuff at one of my showers and it was a favorite. You can't go wrong on diapers, wipes, dreft, etc. I have two showers coming up soon & I've bought diapers, wipes, bottles, safety plug covers, passies, cute onesie, and nail clippers.

 

[Tinkerbelle99]

you've gotten lots of great ideas! some other idea's -

*pick out a nice picture frame with mat (usually with wallet size picture spaces) and then place gift cards within the mat/frame for things like a picture club, a baby store, etc.

*have yet to meet a mom-to-be that didn't appreciate the diaper cake!

*another idea is a nice basket that caters to mom (lotions, soaps, etc) as well as a few pampering things for baby. burts bee's has a nice line of adult and baby products.

*one of the greatest gifts i received and truly appreciated was the miracle blanket. its for swaddling and worked wonders for us. especially since ds was born a whopping 14lbs 1oz and couldnt exactly be swaddling with a recieving blanket!!! from what i have found is that its only sold on its own website, but totally worth it. its a gift i will be giving from now on. ds is now 8 months and we dont swaddle anymore, but he slept like log when he was!

 

[Squishypig]

I always give classic children books: Goodnight Moon, The Giving Tree, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Dr. Seuss, Madeline as well as an assortment of those touch books that you can always find in the bargain section of bookstores. If I know what books the mother liked as a child, I would buy those as well. One friend loved Anne of Green Gables so when she found out that she was having a girl, I bought her the entire series. Same thing with our niece we bought her quite a few of of the Nancy Drew books since SIL loved them as a preteen.

 

[nairv]

such wonderful ideas everyone! I am going to print out this thread for future reference! PaulaSue, your diaper cake looks great...I would attempt it if I had the time but the shower is this Saturday!
So far, I have gotten a baby scrapbook with a few scrapbook stick-ons..about $15 at Target. I think I will put it in a basket and fill it with some more baby items like you all suggested.
Thanks so much!!