thoughtful baby shower gift on a budget

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Yep! And to piggyback off this, every family's needs are going to be a little different. Some live in a small apartment and can't fit all the gadgets and gizmos. Some live in a two story with a finished basement and need something for every floor.

When I was pregnant, everyone and their brother who had had a kid in the last 7 years or so was telling me I needed two things: A Boppy and a Bumbo. The way people talked, these things were miracle items that would solve every parenting problem ever.

The Boppy was extremely useful for about two weeks for breastfeeding. I had an unplanned c-section after two days of labor so it helped me hold him without hurting my scar and when I was still weak in the beginning. Since that time, it's basically sat in a corner- at nearly 6 months, DS doesn't seem to like it so far (though it may change as he ages).

The Bumbo is starting to get more useful as he tries to sit up, but I'm really happy I got the Bumbo multi seat that eventually converts into a booster seat for a toddler, because otherwise it wouldn't get more than a month or so of use before he starts to want to crawl and can sit independently and will need to be in his pack and play.

Now, we plan on more kids, so maybe baby #2 will love these things- who knows? Obviously they were invaluable for some families or I wouldn't have gotten so many recommendations to get them! : )

A pp mentioned those little swaddle blankets with the velcro as being something they personally wouldn't find useful. I held this same opinion on them and didn't register for them, but an experienced mom and a grandma each gave me a two pack at my shower and we used them every day. I'm not great at swaddling apparently, since mine always came undone , so being able to plop him into one of those was a lifesaver for me personally, especially at 3am!!

After having my own kid I try to really stick to the registry even if I don't think they'll use it, because I've realized no one knows better than the parent(s) what they need.

Yes to the bolded!

And I agree about people thinking ALL kinds of items are SO important! My kids are 9, 7 and 6 months (boy, boy, girl) so I had a shower for the 3rd because we had no baby stuff (we thought we were done but decided to try for a girl) AND our last was a girl so my mom insisted on a full blown shower (I was fine with a sprinkle - moms!). Any way, my sister in law had a baby 2 years ago so obviously she's a professional and recommended umpteen items she deemed necessary that WEREN'T on my registry. She nearly bought me an Owlet and I told my mother in law to PLEASE tell her to stop. I will NEVER use it. She insisted on a Nose Frida. What's wrong with the blue bulb you get from the hospital that I never had use for with my sons? She said the Doc A Tot is the only way to get a baby to sleep. Really? Because my 7 and 9 year old did fine without. And those blankets with the months so I can take weekly/monthly pictures. Sorry, don't have time for that.

I guess my point is, the necessary things are the things on the registry. They may not be necessary to you but they are for the parents. I think the book idea is cute but I know personally that when someone in our family has a baby we pass down books. We're good with the 50 or so we have for babies/toddlers as any more will sit in the garage because there's no more space.

If there is nothing left in the registry sure, do a book to go along with a gift card. I appreciated those gift cards so much when diapers or wipes ran out.

 

[FireflyTrance]

She nearly bought me an Owlet and I told my mother in law to PLEASE tell her to stop. I will NEVER use it. She insisted on a Nose Frida. What's wrong with the blue bulb you get from the hospital that I never had use for with my sons? She said the Doc A Tot is the only way to get a baby to sleep. Really? Because my 7 and 9 year old did fine without. And those blankets with the months so I can take weekly/monthly pictures. Sorry, don't have time for that.

I think this is funny, because I have also heard a lot about the Owlet and Doc A Tot a lot during this pregnancy As far as I know those products didn't exist when my daughter was born (or I wasn't aware of them.) But I did fine without them then, and both are really pricey, so I think I'll manage without them this time as well. I would be upset if someone bought me one of those. If they are willing to spend that kind of money, please buy something I'll actually use.

 

[hpsalb]

I would like to chime in as a mother of three young children...

I would most like diapers. Not newborn, some babies do not even need that size. Most parents include a preferred brand on their registry. Go with that. Maybe some wipes as well. Include the gift receipt. If they registered for cloth then go that route.

Gift cards are always very welcome and appreciated. If you do not feel comfortable giving diapers, give them a gift card and they can buy whatever. Plus they can put it toward one of the larger items if needed. Many parents register for large items so they can get a discount code from the retailer for it. With my first baby, I combined my return credit for duplicate gifts, gift cards I had received, plus my registry completion coupon to get the car seat/stroller travel system that I really needed. It was such a blessing!

I have gotten a ton of the ideas mentioned, but you probably don't have any idea what they already have or actually need. If they are first-time parents, then neither do they. We were buried in clothing and such with the arrival of our first child, much of it wrong size for the season. More bibs, blankets, burp cloths, lovies, and little baby toys than even three babies need. An assortment of diaper creams that I've still never finished even on #3. We very much appreciate the thought behind each of these gifts, but I often lament that those people spent their hard earned money on things that we don't really use.

 

[cel_disney]

Yep! And to piggyback off this, every family's needs are going to be a little different. Some live in a small apartment and can't fit all the gadgets and gizmos. Some live in a two story with a finished basement and need something for every floor.

When I was pregnant, everyone and their brother who had had a kid in the last 7 years or so was telling me I needed two things: A Boppy and a Bumbo. The way people talked, these things were miracle items that would solve every parenting problem ever.

The Boppy was extremely useful for about two weeks for breastfeeding. I had an unplanned c-section after two days of labor so it helped me hold him without hurting my scar and when I was still weak in the beginning. Since that time, it's basically sat in a corner- at nearly 6 months, DS doesn't seem to like it so far (though it may change as he ages).

The Bumbo is starting to get more useful as he tries to sit up, but I'm really happy I got the Bumbo multi seat that eventually converts into a booster seat for a toddler, because otherwise it wouldn't get more than a month or so of use before he starts to want to crawl and can sit independently and will need to be in his pack and play.

Now, we plan on more kids, so maybe baby #2 will love these things- who knows? Obviously they were invaluable for some families or I wouldn't have gotten so many recommendations to get them! : )

A pp mentioned those little swaddle blankets with the velcro as being something they personally wouldn't find useful. I held this same opinion on them and didn't register for them, but an experienced mom and a grandma each gave me a two pack at my shower and we used them every day. I'm not great at swaddling apparently, since mine always came undone , so being able to plop him into one of those was a lifesaver for me personally, especially at 3am!!

After having my own kid I try to really stick to the registry even if I don't think they'll use it, because I've realized no one knows better than the parent(s) what they need.

I don’t understand how in one breadth you said one of the most used things was something not on your registry yet that you should only buy off a registry.

??

Every baby is different...what is on someone’s registry is what they think they need..it does not always align with what they DO need. Give something that is thoughtful and returnable. If they asked for a certain brand of baby swing - don’t get them a different swing you liked better. If they didn’t register for size 2 diapers and you want to fill up a diaper stacked or bag - buy them and attach the receipt so they can exchange if that’s not what works with their kid. If you want to get them a picture frame with a gift card in it - go for that too- it doesn’t have to be for a place they have a registry either - if you know they are amazon prime or Target red card holders - those are both great life savers for parents for the fast shipping!!

 

[larissawbb]

For boys, I’ve gotten a full set of baseball cards and a book to put them into. It’s not terribly expensive and the dads usually love it.

 

[tcufrog]

Speaking of crib sheets, I thought this one was a life saver. I first put on the crib mattress a traditional waterproof crib mattress pad. On top of the pad I put a fitted crib sheet. On top of that I snapped this waterproof pad.

I was so glad to have it if my baby spat up, puked or had a blow out in the middle of the night. Instead of changing whole crib I just snapped this off and cleaned up my baby before putting him back to sleep.

 

[leebee]

Gift card to Olive Garden or whatever take-out restaurant is nearby and affordable (with a menu). There's nothing like a filling meal when you are dead tired and can't fathom the thought of opening a can of soup, much less making a meal!

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Gift card to Olive Garden or whatever take-out restaurant is nearby and affordable (with a menu).

Ooooh yes! This is a really good one! I had an unplanned c-section and had trouble standing for long periods of time over a stove and DH was so busy between doing the things I couldn't do around the house, helping with baby and helping me, that there was no time for him to cook either! Getting a nice filling meal like that after surgery was great too!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Diapers

There are tons of coupons available for them and wipes. I was very grateful for every pack I received.

 

[akgluvsdisney]

A good gift for someone having a little boy is a little shower caddy type thing filled with misc items. Especially qtips, alcohol and vaseline. Also if you have a little time before the shower look for coupons and stock up on wipes and misc items for the baby that you know will come in handy that might save a trip to walmart.
One of the best presents (maybe a little dated in the digital/phone camera age) is a pack of disposable camera with a note to use to take one picture a day to cover the first days and all the changes. It is really amazing to look back at the day to day changes a precious little one goes through.

 

[brennicksmom]

One thing that we used a lot with our kids, that is often overlooked is a nice fan to hook onto the stroller. I got one from the Shop Parks app (disney) for $15, with $6 shipping for my niece's shower. It is in the Mickey Mouse design. https://www.google.com/search?q=mic...ro_bAhWjx4MKHbuRDX4Q_AUICygC&biw=1242&bih=579

 

[ErinTwinmom]

Ross if there is one near you. Last shower I spent 22$. I got a Mommy’s little something cute outfit and a daddy one and a super soft blanket and a nice sensory first toy set all for 22$.

 

[srpresto]

Food delivery service gift cards, pizza, chinese or the new ones that do any restaurant are a great go to. If you are crafty, buy the plain onesie and paint on them with acrylic paint (you can really personalize them). I also favor books. Almost no matter what else I get a new parent off their registry, I put in a copy of "Pat the Bunny", which is a tactile book that has been around for 50+ years. It is fun for babies/toddlers to touch and interact with and a book I had as a child.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

A gift card to where they registered. Or size 2 diapers with a gift receipt. That way they can finish out their registry after the shower. Most people i know only get a fraction of what’s on their registry. So many people buy clothes. MY cousin just had a shower and got probably 100 outfits that only go up to maybe 6 months. Most of it is much smaller.

I’m also a mom of two. Most first time moms register for some outrageous stuff. Who needs 4 sleeping devices that the baby will outgrow by 3 months old? I can’t in good faith buy these things because they seem to be such a waste.