Because I am obviously an expert...
It is easy to fall into one of two holes with baby shower gifts:
1. Something frivolous but cute
2. Something seemingly necessary but potentially superfluous
Let me explain.
You folks who go out and buy the-very-cutest-little-outfits-ever fall into Category #1. This is not a bad category, and, to be honest, new moms like to get cute outfits. How-ever, these items are hardly ever used to their potential beyond one-to-three wears per child due to frustration of parents, growth of child, and wrong season-to-child size ratio (i.e. my child fits into the snowsuit now, but it's July...)
Category #2 is made up of people who are even more well-meaning than Category #1, because they try to buy something useful, at even the expense of their own gift-buying-delight, but these items are often too specific to the parents to hit the nail on the head, even with a registry, because new parents don't know yet what they are really going to be using (i.e New Mama thought she'd love baby yoga, so you bought her 16-disc DVD set she wanted, but New Baby is not-having-any-of-it.).
Now, if you have fallen into these categories, fear not! You can stick to them (oldies and goodies), or you can check out...
Drum roll please...
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| Thanks, Nick. |
The Ultimate Baby Shower Gift Basket of Useful Stuff for a New Mom
What I have developed is a gift basket of TONs of useful items that new moms don't know yet that they will need. What's great about this basket is that it can be customized to *your* friend, and the amount of money that you want to spend. I usually buy little things periodically that will fit in. Here's the break-down of the basket:
- Nursing bra (get a cute print, guess on the size & include the gift receipt)
- Cloth breast pads (practical, reusable, green)
- Udderly Smooth body cream (or similar, for Mama-pampering)
- Eos lip balm (b/c something cute for herself)
- Snot Sucker (aka Bulb Syringe of Blessedness, to be used w/ the Saline drops! )
- Lansinoh Lanolin ointment (ABSOLUTE must for nursing mamas!)
- Thermometer (yup.)
- California Baby diaper cream (or similar, just something on the fancy-end)
- Ferro Roche chocolates (duh.)
- Baby Nail Clippers (b/c Aunt Janet says you can't have enough of these, and she's right!)
- Cliff Bars (or similar, for energy to get to the big day!)
- Aveeno Baby Sunblock Stick (or similar, mineral-type fancy-ness)
- Witch Hazel (SO helpful for post-partuum soreness!)
- Saline nose drops (If you put nothing else in the gift basket, put 5 bottles of this. #1 home remedy for snuffy noses!)
Bonus: The basket can be used later for clothes/blankets/toys by the Mama
The basic formula for the gift is:
1. Some things to pamper/support the mom *now*
+
2. Some practical baby-care items for later, so she doesn't have to run around after them
+
3. Some things to pamper/support the mom *later*
=
Now, the list above is obviously the *Ultimate* pack, but there are times that you need to economize a bit. To that end, I have developed for your viewing (and useful) pleasure:
The basic formula for the gift is:
1. Some things to pamper/support the mom *now*
+
2. Some practical baby-care items for later, so she doesn't have to run around after them
+
3. Some things to pamper/support the mom *later*
=
Now, the list above is obviously the *Ultimate* pack, but there are times that you need to economize a bit. To that end, I have developed for your viewing (and useful) pleasure:
The {Five Favorites} Baby Shower Gift-Pack
{Suitable for sending across the country via post, or putting in a gift bag, more last-minute}
These top five are the best of the best in terms of pamper now-support later you can get. These bars are *the* most awesome-tasting, healthiest things I've come across. They are SO yummy, and full of good nutrition. I think even the most nauseous of Mamas can tackle some protein disguised as chocolate-y-goodness. The bra and the lip balm will make her feel special, and the saline drops + lanolin ointment are the top picks for home-remedy wonders.
Not buyin' my formula? I just noticed that Grace @CampPatton *just* posted an awesome {labor & delivery} necessities post, and she just had a great post on items to add to your baby registry too. And, if all else fails, give books!
So...what are *you* going to give the pretty Mama-to-Be in your life?
Not buyin' my formula? I just noticed that Grace @CampPatton *just* posted an awesome {labor & delivery} necessities post, and she just had a great post on items to add to your baby registry too. And, if all else fails, give books!
So...what are *you* going to give the pretty Mama-to-Be in your life?
Linking it up with Cristy @ Fountains of Home for Hallie's Five Favourites
