I am attending a baby shower of a collegue on Tuesday afterschool. Someone mentioned that she doesn't have a lot of the big ticket items (she's due in 3 weeks) and money would be a welcomed gift. What are your thoughts? Also, if giving money, how much should I give?

By Reds9298 on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 07:50 pm:

When I taught, the entire staff had a collection and got us 2 major gifts, plus all the little gifts people bought. It was way better than getting money and more fun to open! It's a little late to do a collection since the shower is Tuesday, but if you can pull it off it really is a good idea.

I would give either the total of what you would have spent on a gift. If you know where they are registered, you could give a gift card for that store. I've never given money for a baby shower though, or a gift card either. I usually send a gift card as a gift once baby has actually arrived. Good luck!

By Paulas on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 08:02 pm:

I know, I was thinking money seemed a little tacky to be honest. I was planning on sewing her a ragtime quilt but my life has been a bit hectic lately (move, new job, DH's new job, car accident) and I just never got to it. I think I'll end up buying a basket of stuff. Any suggestions on what I can put in the basket?

By Mrsheidi on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 08:35 pm:

I would definitely give a gift card so she can get what she needs...we received too many things that we didn't need and it got soooo expensive. I received, I kid you not, 20+ blankets and only needed 2.
If anything, only buy something off her registry...bottles, bottle warmers, or other necessities.

By Tonya on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 08:37 pm:

I say a gift card for a baby store so she can purchase her big ticket items.

Jade is going to be 4 next month and I am still using shampoo and lotions from her shower. Way to many little items.

By Jjandmom on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 08:39 pm:

I would buy baby bag and fill it with ( 1 bag of Diapers - 1 box of wipes - Bottle baby bath - Baby powder - teething ring -baby rattle - small comb and brush - bib - a seperator for formula ) It makes a nice gift and better then putting it in a basket.

By Jjandmom on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 08:45 pm:

To be Honest I would not give anyone gift cards for like walmart cause if the person smokes they can spend it on themselves for smokes. And I would not give money , only time I gave money was for a Christening and that was it. I do not give anything like burp pads or recieving blankets or bottles people seem to get to many of them . For my son I really didn't use to many of them .

By Kaye on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 09:46 pm:

One of my favorite gifts was a baby bathtub, it then was filled with fun bath stuff, you know a nozzle cover, a rubber ducky and hoodie towel, etc. Over all it wasn't a terribly expensive gift.

However I would personally think if you are worried about big ticket items a gift card to babiesrus would be great (assuming you have one near you). You could "wrap" it inside a baby bottle, or in a cloth diaper, or receiving blanket, something creative.

As for how much, what you planned on spending on a gift, personally $20 dollars is what I would do. But if 10 is what you can afford then that would be greatly appreciated too.

By Paulas on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 08:21 pm:

Thanks for all the great suggestions ladies. I ended up buying some onesies and some blankets (one to use as wrapping paper). DH ended up going with the tow truck to get the rental car so I didn't have a chance to get in to the city (an hour away) to buy something or get a gift card. I had to go with what was available locally, which isn't much.

By Yjja123 on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 08:33 pm:

One of my favorite gift cards I received at my shower was a grocery gift card. It really came in handy.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 10:57 am:

I like buying books! It always seems that no one else buys books, so it ends up being unique!

By Dandjmom on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 12:08 pm:

one thing that i found that ineeded when my son was about 3 weeks adn helped a lot at night was a humidifier, so now when i go to baby showers i include a one with any other gift thatI may get. I am always the onyl one to bring one ( peopel just never think aobtu them) but they can actually help a baby sleep good through the night.

Tell me about it tonya, looking in soem boxes I still haven't unpacked since the move for a new tooth brush and I found three bottle of J&J baby Wash, Shampoo, oil and other bath items. form my son's shower who is now 4 yrs.old. I agree you get too many of those items at your shower so I tend to stay away form them.

My cousin is pregnant with twins due in August, she has a 4 month old. So instead of all thsoe little tolitries that she already have and the other itenms that she has form this baby that can be used for the twins. I've put my family on notice no one buy her diapers. I have a Power Wheel box form Christmas that I plan to fill wtih nothign buy diapers and this wil be my gift for her. I found it hard to buy diapers for 1 kid, I know it's going to be a straing buying for 3 and they have just the one income. so my goal is to do 10 (with the excepion of the new born size)in each size up to size 5. So I have 46 bags to go.

By Dandjmom on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 12:08 pm:

one thing that i found that ineeded when my son was about 3 weeks adn helped a lot at night was a humidifier, so now when i go to baby showers i include a one with any other gift thatI may get. I am always the onyl one to bring one ( peopel just never think aobtu them) but they can actually help a baby sleep good through the night.

Tell me about it tonya, looking in soem boxes I still haven't unpacked since the move for a new tooth brush and I found three bottle of J&J baby Wash, Shampoo, oil and other bath items. form my son's shower who is now 4 yrs.old. I agree you get too many of those items at your shower so I tend to stay away form them.

My cousin is pregnant with twins due in August, she has a 4 month old. So instead of all thsoe little tolitries that she already have and the other itenms that she has form this baby that can be used for the twins. I've put my family on notice no one buy her diapers. I have a Power Wheel box form Christmas that I plan to fill wtih nothign buy diapers and this wil be my gift for her. I found it hard to buy diapers for 1 kid, I know it's going to be a straing buying for 3 and they have just the one income. so my goal is to do 10 (with the excepion of the new born size)in each size up to size 5. So I have 46 bags to go.