Baby showers have gotten more glamorous and crafty since ideas have sparked from the Internet, but there is something about baby showers that never change: the gifts! It’s so fun to go shopping for someone else’s baby and browsing stores to find small and cute baby stuff, especially if you are done having children, or don’t have any of your own. But how many of us stop and think about what the parents are actually wanting for their baby? What about the parents who are having a girl who don’t want a ton of pink? What about the parents who are having twins who don’t want them to wear matching clothes all the time? Perhaps you can look for baby stuff on well trusted brands like The Honest Company or even the always inspirational bulletin boards of Pinterest for more ideas. The best part about living in this technological age is that all the shopping you need to do can be done online and mailed directly to you.
Try to buy something that has a long term impact in the baby’s life. Even a change table pad will last longer than an outfit size for 3 months. On the other hand, if your friend is having their second or third baby, they may have kept all the big items from previous babies (crib, stroller, diaper pail, clothes, etc) and they may need all the small stuff. Number one tip for being a great gift giver: Ask what they need before you go shopping! Whatever you situation maybe, here are some tips to help you be the best gift giver at your upcoming baby shower.
Diapers
It’s not that exciting, but giving diapers in size 1 or 2 is such a great idea! Babies are often in the newborn size diapers until about 9 pounds, and some babies are born bigger than that! Most parents will also agree that when you need to go up a size, there isn’t much warning. So having a few different sizes in the house is a great help. While you might think this isn’t going to be the most creative gift, it is in fact one of the most practical–and it guarantees full usage!
Books
Babies can never have enough books! Board books will become the staple of their life for the next 3-4 years. Some parents even ask for baby books instead of a card because it starts a wonderful baby library, and instead of spending $4 on a card, guests can spend $6 and get a book for baby. Some of favorite baby books in the market right now are: Brown bear, Brown bear, What do you see by Eric Carle, Grumpy Bird by Jeffrey Tankard, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, and Indestructibles baby books.
Chip in for a big ticket item
By chipping in to a buying a big ticket item, the expecting mom won’t be getting 30 different outfits and dresses in newborn size when the baby will only wear sleepers at that age anyway, and will likely grow out of them before wearing them. Getting everyone to pitch in on a group gift or gift card will give the family a bigger, more expensive gift that they may not have been able to get otherwise. A durable stroller and car seat is a great example of the perfect group gift! It will last for years, comes in so many different colors, and will easily turn into an everyday-use item for the family. Often, people will pitch in $10-$20 for a group gift and then bring a small outfit or toy separately, so to still be able to give something from the heart. Always practical and well loved for baby showers!
Something for the baby registry
Some parents, especially those expecting their first child, will create a baby registry at a local baby store. Buying something from the registry ensures that they get something they will need for the baby. It shows them that you care about their needs and that you want them to be happy too. Chances are, the registry is full of items they are going to have to buy after the shower is over anyway, so you are saving them money, time, and a shopping trip.
Give the gift of relaxation after the baby arrives
And here is one more tip for after baby that can be organized before baby arrives! You can set up a meal train with friends, coworkers, and family. A meal train is where one person is set to bring a meal/snacks each day for a specified amount of time. Jane can sign up for Monday with Chicken tacos, Eve can sign up for Tuesday with lasagna, Joe can bring muffins and salad on Wednesday etc. The family or organizer of this sets up a delivery time range, puts in food allergies, dislikes, etc, and members can sign up and put what they are bringing. The family then knows what to expect and can plan for the day accordingly. It’s a great way to take stress of food and groceries off their plate.
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