Donna Randol asked:


When deciding what I can do to make a baby shower gift a bit more special, I consider the relationship I have with the person receiving the gift.  I ask myself, sometimes without thinking, how close am I to the person receiving the gift?  Are we related?  Are we close?  Do we have a past together?  Have we shared secrets?  Are we acquaintances?  Is it someone I work with?  All of these factor in for me. 

 

When I am close to someone it is more important that the baby gift is exceptionally special, and by that I don’t mean more expensive.  It might mean I know what makes more of an impact on her than someone who isn’t as close.  It might mean I know about something she forgot to place on her baby register, or something I know she will need but has not thought of.  Because we have a relationship I want her to know how much she means to me so I try to give a baby shower gift with that extra something that makes her feel important.  This is her time, it is not about me.

 

I always want my baby gifts to be special.  However, it is sometimes easier to buy for those who I am not quite as close to.  It is easier to buy something that is more useful or more in my price range that is on her baby register.  For those who I am not as close to I still want to buy a gift that makes an impression.  I want them to know I care about them and would like to know them better.  Because I may not know them as well, I will generally buy something off of her baby register and add a little something extra for her.

 

Secondly, I consider how much money I have to spend on a baby shower gift.  Have I been putting money away for a gift since my friend told me the exciting news?  The good thing about baby gifts is you can always find something relatively inexpensive for a new mother.  Even if you can only afford to buy burp cloths and a card, the way it is presented and wrapped goes a long way to show you care. 

 

This is where the relationship comes to play.  I might not have the money to buy an expensive gift, but because we are close, I know she understands and our relationship is more important than what I give as a gift.  So I might buy something inexpensive that she needs and add something personal that I have made.  It can be as simple as just adding some special chocolate that I know she loves or has been craving.  Or maybe my friend loves very pretty wrapped gifts; I can take something inexpensive and make it more special by wrapping it in a special way, or putting a personal note just for her to read that brings a precious memory to her mind.  Sometimes the best gift to give is the gift of our time.  If you are really struggling financially, making coupons for future babysitting is a wonderful gift.  The important thing to remember is a baby shower is given not just to give gifts but to celebrate the new life coming into the relationship we have. 

 

If by chance I am in the position to buy a more expensive gift or several gifts I still try to make it as personal as possible by including an item that may become a keepsake gift in the future.  This way I can be practical and sentimental at the same time. 

 

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had an unlimited source of money?  If we did we wouldn’t give a second thought to those high price tags that come on baby gifts or any other type of gift we might want to buy for someone.  Unfortunately not everyone has that privilege, at least not in my circle of friends.  With an unlimited amount of money I might be able to buy a lot of wonderful things, but would I know when to stop?  Sometimes knowing that I only have a certain amount of money to spend may make my baby gift selection easier, and perhaps more meaningful.  A gift that has sentimental value to the person receiving the gift is always a winner. 

 

Having a budget means careful planning and more thought into making a gift purchase.  By having a budget I am forced into a certain price range, thereby making my baby gift selection easier.  Maybe not emotionally easier but it can limit my selection of gifts.  Sometimes it may be difficult to find that just right personal gift when you don’t have a lot of money but it can be done. 

 

How do I make it special?

 

As I mentioned earlier I try to make every baby gift purchase a special one.  With so many different baby gifts out there to buy it can be overwhelming.  For my practical side I buy something that is on the baby gift register, and then I buy something that is not on the register.  Today with the baby gift registers so popular an expectant mom can see ahead of time what people are buying.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  I just like to have something that will be a surprise. 

 

If I am close to someone it makes it easier to make it special, only because I might know her favorite chocolate, or her favorite colors.  If you don’t know her too well because you only have a passing working relationship it will take a bit more time and effort to make a gift special.  Use what you know to make a gift special.  If you don’t know what she likes then ask the friends that know her better.  There is a reason beyond the gift that you were invited.  

 

If you are beyond knowing what someone might find special there are some beautiful gift baskets on-line that contain items that you can’t find in the department stores that contain both practical and sentimental items.  I have ordered these for those friends and family that now live in another state.  And if you aren’t into gift baskets you can find some unique baby gifts or personalized baby gifts on line for those out of town.  Personalized gifts are nice and always appreciated if you know the baby’s name ahead of time. 

 

How a gift is presented shows the person has put some time and thought into presenting the gift.  If you happen to know the colors being used in the baby’s room you might wrap the gift in a coordinating color.  If she wants she might use it to line a drawer of the baby’s room.  Gift bags are always nice and can be reused. 

 

I have seen many happy moms delighted when they see their favorite candy is tucked in along with the baby gift.  Think about what puts a smile on your friends face and go from there.  It doesn’t take much to make a gift special.  Use what you know, use your imagination and creativity to make an ordinary gift a special gift.  And enjoy the baby shower! 

 

Remember a baby shower is given not just to give gifts but to celebrate the new life coming into the relationship we have.  Let’s not discount the fact that the best gift we can give is our love, care and support.

 

Brooke S asked:


before or after the baby is born? Just wondering.

patti406 asked:


My best friend and my cousin-in-law are both pregnant. I’m planning on sewing them both bedroom sets for the baby, making them diaper cakes, and giving them another gift at like $16 each. Is this enough? I’m also planning both their showers. It’s hard because I don’t have a lot of money myself, I’m only 20 and I have student loans to pay off, plus with both showers happening at around the same time, it’s sort of tough. Any suggestions?

Mandie Klein asked:


When going to a baby shower party, baby gifts are necessary. However, looking for excellent baby shower gifts is quite a challenge. Be careful in choosing the appropriate gift for the occasion and, of course, for the baby. There are plenty of possible gift items you can choose from, whether it’s for a baby boy or girl. Here are a couple of tips for selecting gifts for baby girls.

Pretty in Pink

Attending a shower party for a baby girl is definitely fun, especially if you are a girl yourself. Deciding what to give the baby will be quite an adventure for there is a countless number of things you can give to a new baby girl. Most baby shower gifts for baby girls usually come in pink, or have a touch of pink in them because pink is the universal color for girls. Although you can give something that is not in pink, it is really up to you to decide.

However, pink is definitely a safe color when giving presents to baby girls. For example, a pink dress for girls will always be appreciated. There are still many things that can come in this color like baby bottles, blankets, shoes, etc. When buying baby shower gifts for girls, make sure you pick one that’s not only beautiful, but practical, as well as one that fits your budget.

If you don’t have much of a budget, there are items that are cheaper but are still an excellent gift for baby showers. Ask around where you can find quality items for babies at a bargain price to get the most out of your budget. Pick something reasonable like small baby accessories, and make sure to ask if they come in pink. If you can’t find anything in pink, select a more neutral color like green or yellow.

Accessorize!

Baby accessories are pretty big nowadays where a wide range of accessory for kids are available. There are more unique and hip items on the market, which is a plus if you are looking for baby shower gifts to give. You can choose from the traditional baby accessories, or the more unique and contemporary ones. Pick a brand that’s reliable when it comes to baby items for boys and girls.

Baby girl accessories will definitely be useful as a gift. Accessories are something girls of all ages can’t get enough of. From hair accessories for baby girls to crib accessories to baby albums, it is guaranteed that your gift will be appreciated. Check out stores that specialize in infants for the latest line of baby accessories.

Toys! Toys! Toys!

Toys are definitely favorite baby shower gifts, but make sure the ones you pick are appropriate for the age of the recipient. Some toys might not be suitable for newborns, more so to a baby girl. Teddy bears can be an excellent toy of choice for a baby girl for the baby can appreciate it as she grows older. Make sure that the toys you are giving have no choking hazards or parts that come off to avoid accidents.

Although the baby might be too young to play with toys yet, they will certainly come in handy as the baby grows and learns to interact with her surroundings. Baby rattles are also a perfect toy for babies, but choose the more colorful ones because babies at this age can already recognize bright colors. And always remember that whatever gift you give will always be treasured if it is heartily given.

Momma to Be asked:


This is my first pregnancy and my Mom is throwing me a baby shower. I was wondering if I should register for the shower or just let my family/friends buy what they want?

Brian asked:


A poem is one of the best ways of expressing your feelings about something that’s happening in life. And that just might explain why poems are such a big part of today’s baby showers. If you’ve been wondering how to incorporate poems into an upcoming special event like a baby shower, then read on. Here you’ll learn all about the baby shower gift poem.

What is a baby shower gift poem?

If you’ve ever shopped for baby gifts you’ve probably seen at least one baby shower gift poem. They’re those adorable little sayings that are sometimes included with the gift. Typically inscribed using a fancy script font and printed on frilly-edged pastel-colored card stock, these baby-inspired poems make great keepsakes. Most moms-to-be add these baby shower mementos to their baby’s scrapbook.

Sometimes the gift you choose doesn’t include a baby shower gift poem. But that’s not a problem because anyone can create these great gift accompaniments. Even if you’re not a poet or the crafty type, this is one project you can tackle with ease. A quick search on the Internet reveals more baby-inspired poems than you can imagine.

Simply find one you like and retype the words into your word processor. If you’d rather, you can come up with your own words. Then all you do is change the font, load your printer with decorative card stock and print. For a truly professional look, cut along the poem’s borders using decorative craft scissors. In minutes you’ve created your very own personalized baby shower gift poem to include with your gift!

The next interpretation of the baby shower gift poem is one the mother-to-be gives her guests. This time however, the poem is created after the shower has ended. When used this way, the baby shower gift poem acts as or is incorporated into the Thank You notes the expectant mother sends her guests. These poems can be purchased or hand-crafted but either way, it’s a wonderful way to show your appreciation.

adevice101 asked:


My husband and I had twin boys placed with us two months ago. Family and friends have been really wonderful and provided us with a lot of clothes and toys for the boys. Now it looks like there is a real chance we will not get to finalize the adoption at the end of the six month placement period. If our worst fears happen, what do we do with all of the adorable things our friends gave us?

chewynougat4u asked:


I am looking for ideas for baby shower games and gifts. I have a few games already like the smashing things up in a diaper, guessing how big around mommy is, baby shower bingo, etc. but I need more ideas. Keep in mind that the majority of these guests use english as a second language and have never heard of, let alone been to, a baby shower. I am doing the diaper cake as my big gift to mom, but just in case the other guests don’t get what is going on with it I want to make sure that she has a few other gifts there. I also need ideas for cheap gifts for prizes for those who win the games. I know I am repeating myself but I need it all SO cheap. I am preggo with my 4th baby and I want to be able to give her a great shower without breaking my baby’s bank at the same time. Thanks for any ideas you can offer!!
P.S. for all you people getting ready to give rude answers - these people are IN Germany, therefore it is not their job to learn my language. I have bits and pieces of German, but the guests are divided about 50/50 between Americans and Germans with a basic knowledge of english. Thanks.

joes bby girl asked:


I’m going to a baby shower for my sister.

Donald Saunders asked:


Baby shower gift shopping is great fun and everything is so tiny and cute that you just want to buy everything in sight. But how do you know what the expectant mother needs or wants? Well, one answer of course is simply to ask, but a better idea would be to ask the person organizing the shower so that the mother-to-be can really be surprised when it comes to opening the gifts. Today however there is an even simpler way of doing things.

The majority of expectant mothers nowadays register their gift preferences at a store that offers a baby shower registry service. After spending an afternoon with a gift consultant selecting the items that she would like to have for her baby, the store will add the list to the store’s gift registry computer so that guests simply need to go to the store’s website and enter the mother’s name, and perhaps the date of the baby shower, and can then print out a shopping list.

It is then a simple matter of taking the shopping list to the baby department and looking for the items on the list. To make things even easier the price for each gift is frequently included on the shopping list so that guests who want to spend a specific amount of money can simply run down the list and select those gifts that fall within their budget.

In addition to being a great help for guests, purchasing from the gift registry prevents the duplication of gifts as items are removed from the list as soon as they are purchased. It also ensures that the mother-to-be gets just what she needs and wants.

Now, while having a shopping list of baby gifts certainly makes shopping much easier, there are still quite a few people who simply do not like to shop this way and believe that it makes for a somewhat impersonal experience. These people prefer to shop without the assistance of a list and to choose something which they feel is particularly appropriate for the mother-to-be. This approach is also fine and is a perfect option for guests who prefer to express themselves through their own shopping choices.

One other thing which many stores will provide is the ability to make baby gifts even more special with the addition of personalized engraving. This is especially popular when the baby shower is being held after the birth of the baby because guests will have the baby’s details including the baby’s full name, birth date, weight and height.

One final point to remember is that the person who is hosting the baby shower does not normally give the mother-to-be a gift as the bridal shower itself is considered to be her gift. This is very reasonable because, as anyone who has ever hosted a baby shower will know, this can be a very elaborate and expensive gift.

However you decide to organize your baby shower gift buying the secret is to make things as simple as you can for your guests, while at the same time allowing them considerable freedom of choice, and leaving the mother-to-be with plenty of surprises on the day of the event.