Baby shower gifts that count
June 8, 2007 by kellys
Filed under baby products, gifts
I just thought I would let you in on a little secret. Not all baby shower gifts were created equal. I recently had a baby shower and got a lot of great gifts. I was appreciative of everything because I got exactly what I needed. Most of the people there had either had children or were at my first baby shower 2 years ago so they knew what I needed. I also had my friends put on the baby shower invitations that diapers and wipes were the main thing I needed.
I have talked about it before and I know it seems unappreciative but it is not. I have a list of things that are practical but not very cute to give your friends for a baby shower gift. If you package it right, it could be the most adorable gift at the shower but the inside is truly what counts. So Kim, if you are reading this, look away until after your shower because part of this is on your list of gifts.
- Tylenol,
- Gas drops,
- Benadryl or teething gel,
- diapers,
- wipes,
- bath supplies like soap and lotion,
- nail clippers,
- nasal aspirators,
- laundry baskets,
- organizers in the nursery theme,
- nasal saline spray,
- infant cold medicine,
- Dreft laundry detergent,
- spot stain remover,
- Oxi-Clean
- coat hangers
These are just a few of the non-cute things that mommies usually don’t get at a shower but they will realize quickly that they need. They are usually a staple for my baby shower gifts since they were what I ended up running to the store for when I needed it and realized I didn’t have it. And trust me, when you need them, you need them immediately!
Happy shopping.
Yep, Kelly got me these things at my shower, even before she had any children. I remember the cute little green plaid baskets filled with all kinds of little necessities I had registered for. I still have the baskets. I use one for diapers in my son’s room and one in the living room for books.
I agree for the most part! I personally would skip the Benadryl/teething gel and the infant cold medicine as cold medicine is no longer considered safe for infants and teething gel and Benadryl are controversial. I’m allergic to Dreft and think it’s a waste of $$ so I’d skip the detergent too.
I’d add baby washcloths (we cloth diaper and these are my fav wipes!) and burp rags to the list.
I didn’t use teething gel or Benadryl either. I used Tide free, Wisk free, All free, etc. Kelly mostly got me diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, lotion, and other little things I had registered for. It does pay to register!!!!
I was just thinking again…a thermometer (or 20!!) would have been a fabu gift as well!! I don’t know why, but we can never find a stinking thermometer when we need one!
I used benadryl and tylenol per her DR to help her sleep. We have had sleeping problems since she came out!
I asked for an ear thermometer and got one. It’s been handy. I finally had to hide it from my son though. He keeps getting into his dresser drawers and pulling stuff out.
Poor Kelly had to drug her. lol You have to have some sleep sometime!
I always give a pack of handmade thank you cards (for any shower gift, actually). The recipient is usually very thankful. Some people might think it’s strange, but buying 20+ thank you cards can be expensive if you want something “cute.” I try to make them in the theme of the shower, but really, something very simple is just as nice. (My friends have come to expect a pack of thank you notes from me whenever they have showers!)
I’ll be posting pics of some bridal shower thank yous I made later today on my blog.
You’re right — it’s all in how it’s packaged. Buy a bolt of tule and you’re set to go for a couple of years worth of shower gifts (bridal & baby). You can wrap ANY shape/size gift in it and it lasts forever. (If you don’t want it “see-through” put colored tissue paper inside.)
Very good suggestions! One of my best baby shower gifts was a big laundry basket filled with various necessities from two of my husband’s cousins, both young moms themselves so I knew it was stuff that works, LOL!
Another suggestion I’ve made to some people, for earlier in someone’s pregnancy really (sort of a “congrats, you’re expecting!” thing) is a goodie bag/basket/whatever of pregnancy necessities – water bottle, heartburn meds, eye drops, lotion, etc. – all those little things for surviving pregnancys that first time moms esp. don’t know they’ll need!
This is a nice website, I’m always looking for frugal advice and tips.
i think this is a GREAT list. Real moms, who’ve been in the trenches with a feverish colicky baby at 4am, KNOW that a bottle of Mylecon is WAY better than that frilly thing that they can only wear once anyway. VERY good list. Also gift cards are SUPER. When I had my youngest five long years ago, I asked for gift cards. My real friends knew me and weren’t offended.
I got a gift basket like this at my baby shower. I really appreciated it!
Kailani
An Island Life
Thanks, guys. What great ideas! I too like the thank you note idea. What a great way to help out.
Also, if you are throwing a babyshower, get thank you cards and have the guests address them so that the new mom doesn’t have to. That is also a huge help!
We have at least 15 new moms on the list to deliver at my church before the end of theyear and I just heard of another that will be due the first part of next year so I am sure I will need to stock up on baby shower gifts.
I wanted to share a gift I just received at a baby shower. It was a gift certificate to http://www.snappybaby.com. SnappyBaby calls and emails your friends and family members when the baby is born and plays your recorded message about the baby! You make one call and the rest is done for you. Everyone at the shower loved it and I must say it was my favorite gift! It’s really cool…check it out!