thoughtful baby shower gift on a budget

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I have a 5 month old, so I can tell you what I appreciated the most in our baby gifts:

-Like others have said, my #1 was anything from the registry was the most appreciated. I like what someone else said- I'd rather get $10 from the registry than a $50 thing someone thought I should want. Now, I appreciated every single thing we got, but the reality is that people work hard for their money, and I feel really bad when something someone got me and spent their hard earned money on sits in a corner or ends up at Goodwill. We had one person go on our registry buy up all of the little safety items- oven knob covers, outlet covers, furniture straps, that sort of thing, and gifted it with a two pack of sleepers. It was one of the gifts I appreciated the most.

-Bigger clothing sizes, like 18mo +. I got a few things like this and it is so nice as he grows having things already ready to go. I especially liked any neutral clothing that could be used on future kids no matter if we had a boy or girl (we had a gender reveal baby shower so we got lots of neutral clothes).

-Something else reasonable might be a baby first aid kit if they didn't register for one or, like others have said, books are always the perfect gift.

-Finally, if you're really stumped a gift card is always great. I know a lot of people worry they aren't thoughtful, but I appreciated so much having a stash of gift cards to help complete our registries and to have on hand the first few months for all the things we never knew we needed.

 

[tluvstink]

My daughter had her first baby last fall and appreciated gifts from the registry.

However she did receive gifts she didn’t register for because she just didn’t think about it. One of those gifts was a picture frame and a giftcard for Shutterfly and she loved it.

Terri

 

[2China2009]

My standard gift if the Fischer price high chair/booster seat that attaches to the chair at the kitchen table. I can usually find them on sale at Target for around $40. Absoulutely the best gift I ever received. I loved mine so much I went onto Craiglist and bought one for my mom to use at her place. I really also love the idea to gift one to a soon to be new grandma/grandpa for their house of course of their kids are in the same town. It will be an item that will be used for years to come.

 

[HuskyGal]

As a mom with young kids, I agree that the most appreciated and most useful gift is from the registry. Parents put a lot of thought into registries, is this too expensive, will people be insulted that I put this on the registry, etc. To be super pregnant and sleep deprived and then to need to schlep your pregnant self to the store to buy almost everything on your registry while looking at the huge piles of blankets and baby shoes is the biggest waste of time and money for everyone. Most of the blankets and baby shoes and Tiny newborn clothes get donated.

 

[MamaBelle4]

I know everyone loves to give outfits, but babies grow so fast. I always felt guilty if I couldn't get my kids in their gifts.

A shadowbox or a baby box that will hold baby book, hat, first outfit, etc.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

One of daughter's most useful and used item was a baby bathtub.

 

[HuskyGal]

I just remembered one awesome gift I got. A friend took those old school cloth diapers that are layered white cotton fabric and decorated them with ribbon and patches. They were by far the best burp cloths I’ve found. It was a very inexpensive but super thoughtful gift.

I just remembered a gift I gave when I was broke. I bought the cheap stretchy white onesies in a variety of sizes and dyed and tie dyed them. My friend who got them loved them and said that they were invaluable as diaper bag backups and easy outfits on at home days.

Ok, both of these gifts are winners. You both win at gift giving. So useful and cute and talk about labor of love. The easy, comfy things are the best.

 

[trouttigger]

Lots of great ideas here.

I remember being cash-strapped one time and got all those little necessities and put in a basket. I ended up spending around $30 when I was needing to spend no more than $20.

For awhile, I had some larger volume style books that I got on clearance, like Winnie the Pooh and Curious George. I loved giving those because I personally would have loved receiving them.

 

[katyjeka]

This is going to sound crazy but a friend gave me a menu with the meals she would be delivering the first week after our daughter was born. At the time I laughed a little to myself BUT looking back it is the gift i appreciated the most. I'm not sure of the cost but she was sweet enough to do it for my next three babies as well. I guess it helps that she is a fantastic cook!!!!!

 

[Alicenwonderment]

I didn't read through everything but I gave a baby shower first weekend in May. I ended up getting an outfit from Toys R Us since it was cheaper there. You may be able to find some deals at Toys R Us. The downside is it can't be returned. I also went to Target and got a baby sound machine that played music too. It was around 25.00. The third thing I got (around 40) was the little thing you can place in the bed and it makes sure you don't fall asleep on the child. I also included a gift receipt in case they wanted to take it back.

 

[abmitch01]

Kohls has the hardcover book of Goodnight Moon and the matching bunny in a good size for $5 each to raise money for a charity. I think the two of them together is a nice gift. They always have a stuffed animal and book deal like this but rarely one so perfect for a baby.

 

[MrsPete]

I have a few go-to gifts:

- If it's someone to whom I'm close, I like to give a gift certificate for one or more photo sessions ... perhaps accompanied by a scrapbook or frames. Everyone wants nice photographs.

- I like to give a collection of toddler dishes, sippy cups, spoons and bibs. New moms don't tend to think about needing these ... but suddenly it'll be time to start solids, and they're appreciated then. Even if the new mom receives multiples of this gift, it doesn't matter.

- I LOVED my breastfeeding pillow (didn't have one with my first child, and I found it so much nicer than using a plain bed pillow ... so that became a favorite gift of mine ... until I discovered that every baby consignment store has oodles of these for sale. Now I don't get these any more.

- Books. Of all the things you need for baby, books are in the top five. Always books.

 

[LP808]

- I like to give a collection of toddler dishes, sippy cups, spoons and bibs. New moms don't tend to think about needing these ... but suddenly it'll be time to start solids, and they're appreciated then. Even if the new mom receives multiples of this gift, it doesn't matter.

THIS! My favorite baby shower gift was a gift basket full of 1st foods (including cereals and snacks). Just be sure to check the dates and make sure they are far enough in advance since they won’t be used for 4-6 months after the baby comes. It’s a unique gift, and something that will most likely be needed (even by moms who want to make their own food... one day they might be too busy/tired/etc. and will have the option).

The basket I was given did have spoons, but nothing else (which was fine by me). I had received PLENTY of bibs, and some moms are very particular about brands of sippy cups.

Depending on how close you are to the mother-to-be, getting something to spoil her is also nice. My best friend gifted me nice slipper socks for the hospital, some nursing snacks, and travel-sized stuff for my hospital bag (face masks, hair ties, my fave shampoo/conditioner, Dove body wash, etc.) as well as a “coupon” to have her come over and watch the baby and/or do dishes and laundry. All of these things were used and loved.

Another loved gift was gift certificates to restaurants that deliver to my house. I was in a rural area for one of my babies, so Papa John’s was the only delivery but that gift certificate was used very soon afterwards. Pizza is amazing, especially when you are exhausted and did NOT plan for dinner.

 

[LP808]

Oh, another thought, I think someone else mentioned it... a booster seat with a tray that connects to a regular kitchen chair. Maybe they have a high chair on their registry, but these are portable so that they can take out to eat, grandparents’ house, etc. and not have to worry about balancing the baby on their lap and feeding him/her. There are several different brands and designs, but I included a link to give you an idea if you haven’t seen them before.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-P...75035&wl11=online&wl12=17432259&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[Eureka]

We always used to give books. You can get a selection of board books from Amazon or Target for under $20.

 

[cel_disney]

If nothing on a registry speaks to me or if I am giving a gift to a coworker after a baby is born (registry is usually fulfilled) - my go to is ‘holiday books’..

A board book for various holidays..you can scale to your budget including st Patty’s day, Chinese New Year, etc

.Snowmen at night, Five Little Pumpkins, a thanksgiving book, a valentines book and maybe one about birthdays...

 

[MrsPete]

I think they are going to have more diapers than they can store.

During both my pregnancies, I bought two packs of disposable diapers every time I went to Walmart, and my nursery closet was pretty full of diapers; however, it wasn't a problem because baby clothes are so small. I took a lengthy maternity leave with each child, and that stock of diapers was really useful. I didn't mind storing them at all.

I think want new parents really want is what is on their registry.

Ehhh, as an experienced parent, I often look at registeries and know that the first-time parents have chosen a bunch of stuff that isn't really useful -- seriously a BUNCH of stuff at Babies-R-Us has no use at all (who decided swaddlers are a need? receiving blankets do that AND are still useful after the first month) -- whereas, I know new parents are going to need "dull things" like waterproof crib mattress pad, extra crib sheets, onesies, and so forth.

We have a large church family so there are always baby showers going on. I usually buy larger pj's - at least 18 months or higher. One year I got three thank you notes that all mentioned that they appreciated getting the larger size. I'm always picking up infant pajamas when they are on sale - usually in a safe color for boy or girl.

Yes, I like buying larger sizes. New moms receive too many tiny clothes, so it's nice to have something for the baby to grow into.
When the seasons are changing, I look for things on clearance tables. For example, a month ago I snapped up about a dozen blanket sleepers (mostly neutral patterns) that were marked down to .99 -- now I have a couple nice gifts ready: What new mom wouldn't like to open a gift with a blanket sleeper in every size up to two years? I'll couple it with a goodnight-book

Something else reasonable might be a baby first aid kit if they didn't register for one or, like others have said, books are always the perfect gift.

This is my RN daughter's go-to gift.

 

[FireflyTrance]

Ehhh, as an experienced parent, I often look at registeries and know that the first-time parents have chosen a bunch of stuff that isn't really useful -- seriously a BUNCH of stuff at Babies-R-Us has no use at all (who decided swaddlers are a need? receiving blankets do that AND are still useful after the first month) -- whereas, I know new parents are going to need "dull things" like waterproof crib mattress pad, extra crib sheets, onesies, and so forth.

This is my second pregnancy, so I agree with you that waterproof crib mattress pads and sheets are a need, but the parents may have already bought those, or prefer specific styles or colors. I personally like the velcro swaddles better than wrapping the baby in a receiving blanket. The velcro swaddles may only last 2-3 months, but they also aren't that expensive. I was thrilled when someone bought the $15 3 pack of Velcro swaddles off my registry. Anyway my point is, if it's on the parents registry it's something they like. If you think some stuff on their registry won't get used, just don't buy those particular items.

 

[Minniemouse07]

This is my second pregnancy, so I agree with you that waterproof crib mattress pads and sheets are a need, but the parents may have already bought those, or prefer specific styles or colors. I personally like the velcro swaddles better than wrapping the baby in a receiving blanket. The velcro swaddles may only last 2-3 months, but they also aren't that expensive. I was thrilled when someone bought the $15 3 pack of Velcro swaddles off my registry. Anyway my point is, if it's on the parents registry it's something they like. If you think some stuff on their registry won't get used, just don't buy those particular items.

You could also have two kids that detested being swaddled in any way shape or form.

Kids will have their own preferences so I always advise first time parents to not stock up on any one thing (including specific brands of diapers, etc). Kid number one hated carriers, kid number two lived in them. Kid number one loved the infant swing, kid number two hated it. Kid number one blew out of Huggies and did great in Pampers, kid number two blew out of Pampers and did great in Huggies.

Every kid is different and will need/use different things.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Every kid is different and will need/use different things.

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.