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ORIGINAL POST:
Baby shower gifts are a tradition dating back to the early 1900's. It is meant to "shower" the woman with gifts before her big day of having a baby.
Baby Shower Gifts Ideas: Clothing - Sleepers, Receiving Blanket, Undershirts, Onesies, diapers. socks and hats. Make sure they are easy to change since too many buttons or snaps may be difficult for new parents to take on and off the baby. Buy cute clothes to go home from the hospital in and Waterproof Lap Pads.
Health/Grooming Products - Baby Powder, Lotion, Baby Wipes, Desitin,Q-Tips, Hydrogen Peroxide (for the umbilical cord), baby safety pins, nail file, scissors, first aid kit, baby soaps and wash cloths, Baby Thermometer, Diaper Bag.
Feeding - Bibs, bottles, bottle holders, baby formula (if not breast feeding), breast pump (if going to be used), Nipples, Bottle Brush set (get multiple brushes of the same kind since they will go through them pretty fast), Tipper Cup, Feeding Spoon, Baby Burp Towels, Baby Dishes (plastic), and bathrobe.
In the Bath Products - Towel with cute hood, wash cloths, baby lotion, shampoo, soap, baby brush, bath toys (make sure they are age appropriate).
In the Crib/Bassinet Items - Crib Fitted Sheets (a few orders of them), Comforter, Bumper Pads (not recommended by all doctors and nurses due to the increase of SIDS), Mobile, Crib trim, Waterproof Crib Pads, blanket to swaddle the infant.
For the Baby Room - Stuffed Animals, Cute pictures for the wall, Gift Certificate for a Muralist to come out, dresser, changing table, Cute Initials of the baby on some type of ceramic item (i.e., toy blocks with his/her initials), Picture frame, Nursery Lamp, Furniture, Boppy, Bouncey Seats and Piggy bank.
Toy Time - Teething toys, colorful play matt, black and white play matt, Musical Toys and Plush/Stuffed Animals always go over well at a baby shower!
Learning Time - Baby Bach Video, Baby Einstein CD's (or really any learning CD's for the infant), classical music CD's, Disney movies, Books for the Parents, baby books, Lamaze soft books and story books.
For the Parents - Pamper the parents-to-be with a gift certificate to a spa, book store, record store, or a nice gift such as baby hand and foot imprinting plaster, Baby Bjorn or other baby carrier Coupons for babysitting. Click here for Gifts for Mom and Dad!
More Expensive Practical Gifts - These baby shower gifts are more expensive but very useful for the parents-to-be including stroller, bassinet, baby dresser, baby changing table, baby car seat, baby car seat attachment, high chair, baby swing (very helpful in most cases for sleeping and entertainment), bouncy seat, sound monitor, video monitor (wireless), Potty Chair, Diaper Genie (container), Safety Gate, Baby Scale, Breast Pump, Rocking Chair.
Unique Gifts - Grow Chart, Gift for Siblings, Gift Certificate for baby pictures, U.S. Govt. Bonds for the Baby, Silver Spoon or Rattle, Baby proofing the house.
Baby Shower Coupons - For those that want to give their time for their gift and don't have much money, it is fun to be creative and make baby shower coupons for the parents such as " 2- Hour Babysitting", "Cook for the Mommy and Daddy two meals", etc. The parents to be will really appreciate this baby shower coupon gift book, especially for first time parents who appreciate the help!
Gift of Saving a Life - A fantastic baby shower gift is a gift certificate for a private CPR class for the mommy and daddy to be and a few of their selected family and friends who may become future babysitters. This idea was given to us by a paramedic who stated people can contact their local ambulance, hospital or Red Cross and set up a class for a nominal fee to cover the instructor and manuals if applicable. As our paramedic friend stated, "What better gift than life and the security to handle emergencies."
Diapers, Diapers, Diapers - A great gift that seems to always running out for the mommy-to-be is to have everyone bring a few packages of diapers. New mommies never have enough in the house so getting diapers is a perfect baby shower gift. Thanks to our visitor Sanguine who stated to us, "My sister bought 3 packs of diapers every 2 weeks for 6 months (which is about 36 packs) and was out in less than 3 months. Diapers is extremely helpful for a baby shower gift my friend. Diapers! Thanks for your feedback Sanguine. A very unique gift is the Diaper cake which is made of diapers and decorated with all kinds of useful baby goodies. Check this item out on our friend's site at www.lilbabycakes.com
Useful Laundry Basket Idea - Instead of spending the money on a gift bag that is likely to get thrown away, use laundry basket, line it with a baby blanket and put the gift inside and cover with tissue paper or another blanket. Then the basket can be used for the extra laundry that will be added or for toy storage. You can even get a small laundry basket usually at Dollar Tree stores or any type of everything is $1 store if you are on a limited budget! Thanks to visitor Renee for this great idea! This is a nice idea by one of our loyal visitors :)
Floating Ducky - Take a silver mini wash tub (they are available everywhere and in various shapes and sizes). Fill with water and float a rubber duck in each one. Tie balloons to one of the handles. It's simple, but sweet. You can also place various baby shower related items next to the wash tub, like shampoo, lotion and such.
Laundry Basket Goods - Purchase a laundry basket, baby laundry detergent, you're favorite pre wash, stain remover, wipes to go, and some fabric softener and place in the basket. If you're budget permits or you are sharing the expense for the baby shower gift with some friends, you can also get some hangers or an baby outfit. You can arrange all these small items with tissue paper in the laundry basket, which will serve as you're gift basket. One of our visitors stated, "I like to place a tag line on a piece of paper or a tag of some sort to the basket written as " Have LOADS of fun with you're new baby." - Great baby shower gift idea!
Baby Shower Baby Books - Have each baby shower guest bring a baby book for the new parents. Have each guest pre-write a sentiment or advice to the new parent's on the first page of each book which is a great memento to cherish for the baby growing up and the parents. Thanks to a baby shower visitor for this idea!
Baby Plant/Tree - Buy a small tree that can be planted outside of the parents-to-be home. Tie baby items to the branches (pacifiers, bottles, nail clippers, etc.). The parent's to be can watch the tree and the baby grow at the same time. You can do the same thing with a small indoor plant. Thanks to Christa for this wonderful idea.
Fleece Baby Blanket - A great and inexpensive baby shower gift is a fleece baby blanket. You make these by taking two pieces of fleece and putting them together, then cutting 3 in slits every 1 inch all the way around the blanket and tie knots to keep the pieces together. Then just roll the blanket up and tie it with a ribbon. Thanks to C.M. for this great baby shower gift idea!
Keepsake Box - Use a hat box and draw/paint/add personal touches to the box. Fill the box with onsies, clothes, pacifiers, bottles, wipes, diapers, etc. You can also include a pack of alphabet stickers so I could put the baby's name and birthdate, weight and height on the box with the stickers once he/she is born. This is a great idea as it can be used to collect personal items for the baby, placing them in one box that you can eventually pass on to the child!
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