Need ideas for baby shower gifts
My friend is having a baby soon and her baby shower is next month and I want to get her something she'll really love and appreciate. Something useful, thoughtful, but also creative/memorable (and hopefully not TOO expensive..though I'm prepared to spend some money so don't hold back with pricy suggestions!) What are your best baby shower gift ideas?
- Check the baby shower registry and see if there's something your friend has specifically asked for that nobody has bought yet. Remember that bigger/more expensive items may go ignored so if there's still a big item like a crib or stroller on the list and it's more than you can spend, ask another friend if they want to go in on it with you and make it a joint gift.
- A gift basket full of a bunch of little things the mother/parents/baby might need. Not just baby clothes, diapers, and wipes (which your friend is likely to get in spades, and they're still good gifts!) but things people may not immediately think to gift her but that she'll still need, like bibs, gripe water, baby tylenol, thermometer, baby soaps/shampoos, nail clippers, etc.
- Presents for your friend. Understandably, a lot of fuss will be made about what the baby will need, but your friend needs care too. Think scentless lotion and soap, jewelry, giftcard to a spa, giftcard to her favorite restaurant for a date night out...stuff to help her unwind or feel more grounded and confident. A coupon book offering to babysit for her, cook, clean, etc. is also a fun one and will probably be MUCH appreciated when the time comes! You could even make her meals and freeze them so that she can just bake or put them in the crock pot so she doesn't have to cook once the baby is born.
- Fun parenting books. If your friend is a reader, there are books on parenting that she may enjoy like Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions or How to Not Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn.
- Personalized blankets, clothes, etc. are always fun. :) Especially if you get one of those milestone blankets so they can take a picture of the baby each month to share with their friends and family.
Good luck and congrats to your friend!
- A gift basket full of a bunch of little things the mother/parents/baby might need. Not just baby clothes, diapers, and wipes (which your friend is likely to get in spades, and they're still good gifts!) but things people may not immediately think to gift her but that she'll still need, like bibs, gripe water, baby tylenol, thermometer, baby soaps/shampoos, nail clippers, etc.
- Presents for your friend. Understandably, a lot of fuss will be made about what the baby will need, but your friend needs care too. Think scentless lotion and soap, jewelry, giftcard to a spa, giftcard to her favorite restaurant for a date night out...stuff to help her unwind or feel more grounded and confident. A coupon book offering to babysit for her, cook, clean, etc. is also a fun one and will probably be MUCH appreciated when the time comes! You could even make her meals and freeze them so that she can just bake or put them in the crock pot so she doesn't have to cook once the baby is born.
- Fun parenting books. If your friend is a reader, there are books on parenting that she may enjoy like Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions or How to Not Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn.
- Personalized blankets, clothes, etc. are always fun. :) Especially if you get one of those milestone blankets so they can take a picture of the baby each month to share with their friends and family.
Good luck and congrats to your friend!
Newborn babies need four basic things: they need to be fed, they need to be clean, they need to be warm, and they need love. Consider getting a baby shower gift that falls into one of those categories. They'll need a car seat, a new crib that's meeting safety standards, clothes, diapers, bottles, formula... Swaddle blankets are really a great way to help babies feel safe and secure in this massive world. They're coming from such a small place into this big world that we live in as adults, and swaddling is a great way to help soothe babies and help make them feel secure enough to sleep and to help during periods of crying.
One of my go-tos for baby showers and wedding gifts is a thoughtful, small present......and cash. Just giving someone cash can seem insensitive or thoughtless, I get that, but when it comes to babies, it can actually be super nice to have extra cash on hand to use however you see fit. Including an extra little present like a baby blanket, book, or diaper bag adds some thought and uniqueness (plus, it's nice when your gift has some "heft," which just cash alone obviously doesn't!)
No matter what you get, whether it's on the regsitry or not (especially if it's not), GIVE YOUR FRIEND THE GIFT RECEIPT. Even the things I thought I wanted and added to my registry, I realized after I got them that they didn't work/weren't right but I had no way to return or exchange them.
Also, if you're going to go off registry, have a good reason for it. Your friend may have put a specific stroller, car seat, high chair, etc. on the registry for a reason and she wants THAT specific item for a reason.
Also, if you're going to go off registry, have a good reason for it. Your friend may have put a specific stroller, car seat, high chair, etc. on the registry for a reason and she wants THAT specific item for a reason.
Baby diaper wreaths or diaper cakes are fun creative and useful :) We always make them but I am certain you could buy them pre-maid online. You can add whatever you want to them like pretty decorations or things the baby needs like rattles or teething toys.. We also crochet blankets for baby and for mama, or you could do bibs, hats, mittens, etc. Get creative and crafty! Handmade items go a long way.
Baby bath items are a good idea because water can be very soothing to a baby. I recommend purchasing a baby bathtub, soft muslin blankets as towels, and a non-toxic natural baby wash.
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Reader Tips from Two Easy Ways to Make a Nappy Cake Plus Decorating Ideas
Hide fun surprises inside like alcohol for after the birth or gift cards or movie tickets for a date night. Get creative with it and put in something you know the parents will like.
You can decorate the diaper cake with other useful things such as: shoes, butt powder/ointment, a brush, baby nail clippers, headbands, etc. It will be really useful and creative.
Reader Tips from What to Write in a Baby Shower Book: 50+ Message Tips & Examples
I always add a gift card or crisp cash to the book as an extra gift. You could also add a nice card, a drawing for the baby, or something else flat-ish to tuck into the book.
Make sure to spell the name of the baby correctly if there is one yet, especially if the name has multiple variants!
Reader Tips from How to Make a Diaper Wreath
Make sure you tell the parents what size the diapers are. You can use newborn diapers but these can be small and not give your wreath the "look" you may want so I always do size 1, which looks nicer and covers a wider range of babies. You can also use different sizes so there's variety.
You actually should not use hot glue on the wreath if you want the parents to be able to use the diapers, since they will not be able to be used once you have put the hot glue to them. Use tape or ribbons instead.
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