baby shower(un-usual gifts)
 

hi, someone i know is having a baby very soon and i'd like some ideas on what to buy. it's a girl, no father and i dont have a very big budget(around 10-30-50$)

i'm looking for something that will be awesome for the mom to have so not just kids clothes.

i also want something that will last for more than a year. so no diapers or things like that.

my 1st idea was a babyfood cook book.

what else can i get? any ideas please! or if you have any recommendation on specific baby cook books you had and liked?

thanks!

The baby food recipe book is a nice idea - but I'd include a food mill as well, if she doesn't have one...for grinding up the food for baby to consume.

Of course, this is assuming she'd be interested in doing things this way.

We had a food mill, and made most of the food for our younger two kids as babies. We used The Internet for 'recipes' (basically just cook stuff until it's very soft, and grind it up - sometimes with water).

Another gift I often give is 'board books' - search amazon or your local bookstore. Generally condensed kids books, but nice and thick so that can't be torn, and are fun to chew.

Another idea is instead of just getting stuff 'for baby', also get some sort of pampering type stuff for the mom...you know, bed, bath, and beyond type stuff. Depends on your relationship with the mother, though - it could be taken the wrong way.

if you're comfortable around kids, offer up some babysitting services of yours that will go a long way.

in my world, a silver spoon, or a set of bunnykins china (manufactered my royal doulton) a 3 piece set is probablt under 50 bucks - it's basically a cup, bowl and plate.. that the kid can use to eat off of for a few years and makes for a nice collectors item- I still have the one from when I was a baby...

if youre the least bit artistic you could get an unfinished wood toybox and paint it in then stencil on her name and some cute flowers or bunnies or something (i'm not at all artistic and have done such stuff) you can also get kid rocking chairs, etc...

if you go to a hallmark or large card store, they probably sell baby books -not a dr spock kind of baby book, but a relaly pretty one where the mom records all the first things the baby does etc.. it's a nice scrap book for baby when she grows up.

Big packet of condoms.

Getting pregnant again straight after a baby happens far more often than you'd imagine.

Not that often with lactational amenorrhea (presuming the woman can breastfeed). Breastfeeding suppresses ovulation.

My cousin was sent out by his pregnant wife to register for their child's birth at target. He and his friend who went with him registered for many, many condoms of assorted colors, flavors, and ribbing. My parents went to target and printed the registery. They were very surprised. So was my cousin's wife when she heard about it from my parents.

As a gift, I was thinking of those kid towels that are hooded. On the hood there is often the head of a frog or a duck, or a dinosaur. My daughter still uses her towels (at age 3), but towels wouldn't be "awesome" for the mom. I guess I don't have any good suggestions.


EDIT: I thought of something. Can you cook? Providing a few meals for the parents during the first few weeks would probably be appreciated. When you don't get any sleep, it's hard to find motivation to cook.

Don't be bashful about going into a consignment store or thrift store for barely used baby clothes or other baby needs. The little critters grow so quickly that they seem to outgrow their clothes monthly.

If your friend is a new mother and you have more time than money you might consider making her a baby information book. All you would really need to buy is a three ring binder, page dividers, a paper punch and perhaps some colorful paper. Then jump on the 'net and find baby food receipes, baby facts for the first few months after birth, mommy exercises, anything that you think might prove useful.

I second the coupon idea. New mommy's would kill for just a one or two hour break for a long shower. Your could offer a grocery run, a cooked meal, wash a load of laundry...whatever you can think of that completes a task and gives her more time for the baby's needs. I promise you will be a hero. :)

A copy of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. ;)

^^^ That is just plain mean, and my kind of humor. :lol: I understand that V is in the works, and I'll send IV to anyone that wants it after publication. :suave:

My cousin had a baby a couple of years ago. If you can't come up with something on your own that is REALLY remarkable, stick with the registry, as sometimes what you think is a great idea results in doubles that the mom then has to return. Usually there are a few gifts on the registry that are just as good for Mom.

Oh, and I recommend buying at least 1 pack of diapers to include with your gift. They're very, very helpful for new parents.

Whenever I go to baby showers, I always buy clothes that are several sizes too large. Most people go for the 0-3 month clothes, and mom ends up with loads of 0-3 month clothes and little else...and they grow so fast, that it's helpful to have stuff on hand when baby starts to outgrow a size (personal experience is talking here!). If you decide to do this, just make sure that you calculate what season it will be when the baby grows into it, or else something like onesies or t-shirts that can be used year round.

That's what my mother does. It came in handy when my cousin had her baby because he outgrew the newborn stuff FAST (which my mother predicted would happen, because all of the boys in our family were large when born). He was born underweight for our family at 6 lbs 10 oz. because he was a preemie (the avg. for males in our family is over 10 lbs) but caught up quickly :D

I concur on buying things for NEXT year and you can get a lot now for $50 because it's all on clearance.
Some other things she'll need in the future months: a tub ring, a play gym (they're basically hanging toys on an A-frame for the floor), a playpen, gates, gift certificate for first shoes, high chair.....

ah cool! thank you for all the great ideas! i'll think about it and let the friend decide what she needs since i wasnt able to go to the shower.