Okay I need to shop today!

I am going to a baby shower on Sat (i actually fly out tomorrow afternoon). And I need a gift. I have to fly with it. This is a first time mom (baby boy) on a very limited budget. So what would you get? I probably plan on spending about 50-75 dollars. Should I get one nice thing, or several small things? Something frivilous or useful?

What were your favorite gifts? I do plan on buying a book to throw in with whatever I get her.

By Sandysmom on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 09:51 am:

I've never had a shower but I think things like diapers & lotions etc... would be a good idea. Since she is on a limited budget, I'm sure she would rather use her money to buy baby clothes. JMO

By Tarable on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 10:02 am:

I would go for useful. I was on a very limited budget with my first and everyone bought me these frevilous stuff and I needed diapers and wipes and lotion. And sleepers not pretty pink frilly dresses. Does she have a carseat yet? you migh consider getting her one of those or a gift certificate for taht much would be easy to carry and then she could get what she needed after the shower. I do that sometimes.. give a gift card and put it in a little basket with a couple of small things like a travel size wipes, lotion and body wash and mabye a sleeper or a blanket ( you can normally find all that stuff for pretty cheap if you look around.

By Tonya on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 10:05 am:

Needed stuff but 1 really cute outfit that you know she would never buy herself for him. Diapers and wipes and baby butt stuff is always needed.

When I have a shower to go to I always but a diaper bag and fill it full of everything she will need. I but the clippers and wipes and diapers and butt stuff. Plus the other small things.

Jade is 2.5 and I am still using lotions and shampoos I got for her shower.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 10:14 am:

The best gift I received from co-workers was a gift certificate to a grocery store. I used it for diapers/wipes and it was greatly appreciated.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 10:15 am:

Another great gift was a restaraunt certificate for when I was too exhausted to cook.

By Juli4 on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 11:05 am:

gift certificates are great anytime, but not as much fun to buy. Everyone will be buying clothes so I wouldn't buy too much of that. It seems that since most people know what the baby is nowadays you don't always get what you need at showers because everyone wants to buy clothes and stuff. I would get some crib sheets, receiving blankets, sleepers, socks, diapers in size one or two, and wipes. A nail clipper with thermometer set. A car seat cover for the cold weather. Some small hats similar to those in the hospital, bottle cleaners, pacifiers. Something nice for her like a robe or lotions. I got one friend a nice razor and shaving cream for when she could look down and see above her knees. Those are just some ideas.

By Breann on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 11:48 am:

I would buy something fun, that she probably wouldn't be able to afford on her own. Something that is more of a "luxury".

A really posh diaper bag. You could always fill it with supplies if you want to get her something that is a neccesity.
A boutique outfit for the baby.
Do they have the name picked out? There are tons of things out there that can be customized.
A really nice nursery monitor. The kind that come with little screen are less expensive now days.

Sometimes moms can be super frugal and only buy the basics. Give her something that she will enjoy using, but wouldn't buy it herself

JMHO

By Crystal915 on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 12:40 pm:

I like Breann's idea... a nice diaper bag, filled with some neccesities.

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 12:48 pm:

No no no...y'all...I'm going to humbly disagree.
I would buy board books, baby music (with words) so mommy can sing to baby, and necessities off of their registry. I was SO upset that everyone got stuff that *they* wanted for me but not that I needed. I had to buy the bottles, bottle warmer, changing pad, etc.
I received way too many diaper bags that weren't the style or function I liked and way too many lotions and blankets.

By Marcia on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 02:14 pm:

I had 5 baby showers for my first, and because they all had to be after she was born, everyone knew she was a girl. Lots of people chipped in and bought us all of the big stuff - crib, stroller, carseats, swing, snuggly, sling, monitor, saucer, etc. We got far too many cute girly outfits, and she couldn't wear them all if I had changed her 3 times a day!
Will you have enough time to get something when you get there? With the amount you're planning on spending, which is a huge amount for a shower gift, you could get her one of the above items on your own.
Have fun!

By Kaye on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 02:32 pm:

She has a baby boy. She spent the last month of pg on bedrest, so the baby is 2 weeks old today. She also has a sister with a 3 year old, so I know she got a high chair and play pen with her. I typically do the diaper bag thing, but I am flying, so I can't take lotions and pastes.

So this is what I settled on...
one of those new "temporal artery thermometers". It was something that she initially had interest in. Then two very cute cute outfits from gymboree (good sale). And then I still plan on going to buy a couple of books, not sure which ones, but probably the "i love you forever" and a board book from sandra boyton.

So maybe I hit both worlds, something necessary and something frilly.

This is an old lady church shower, so I really don't know what else they will give her. They live in a very small town, walmart is the only store there, so I wanted something that someone else wouldn't buy.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 03:37 pm:

I like buying books, even for new babies! I have a few favorites, from when my kids were little and I usually get those!

Sounds like you got her some nice stuff!

By Tripletmom on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 07:06 pm:

Can you buy a Time Capsule anywhere? I rec'd and have also given these as gifts.Its a nice way to collect everything from the baby's 1st year.The parents can decide when the child opens it.We chose our dk's to open it on there 16th Birthdays.In Canada we have a store called Things Engraved and thats where I've purchased mine.

By Breann on Thursday, September 7, 2006 - 10:30 pm:

Sounds like you did well! If it's a small town, she probably doesn't have a gymbo there. So, those outfits will be really neat for her. And, no one needs to know it was a sale ;) And, if she is strapped for cash, she probably wouldn't be shopping in gymbo anyway. So, I bet she'll really enjoy those outfits.

If there are a lot of older ladies invited, I'm sure they'll cover all the basics with lots of lotions, shampoo's, etc. Most older ladies are quite good that way.

Hope you have a great time!