The Perfect Shower Gift?

[kittykat2481]

The director of my son's school is pregnant with her 3rd child - the first boy - and I just received a baby shower invitation today. I know she is cloth diapering but already has that covered since her youngest just turned 1. She did register for some things, but honestly, I think she should already have most of what she registered for since she already has a baby close in age. Anyway, I'd really like to get her something not offered at Babies R Us, and a little more on the natural side of things. I know she would appreciate it and it would mean a lot to her. I don't have much to spend - probably about $20. I'm just curious what some of you ladies' favorite baby items are to get some ideas. I need to decide soon if it's something I'm going to order.

Thank you!

[CanBoo]

Food!
My suggestion is to make her one or two frozen meals. Like chili or lasagnas maybe. She'll be a super busy mama.

That's what I've done this morning, made 3 lasagnas for a very pregnant friend. She sounded absolutely thrilled when I offered.

[blumooned]

Love the food idea!

If you want to get something for the baby, maybe something that gets used up - like diaper cream, shampoo, lotion, laundry detergent, etc. You could do natural brands or find out if the family has favorites.

Or books - kids can't have too many books, right?

[kittykat2481]

The food is a great idea and I'll probably do that, but I also want something to wrap up pretty for her show, kwim? I love books. I could gift her some CD-friendly diaper cream too... Hmmm... lol

Keep the ideas coming please.

[marinak1977]

How about Burt's Bees baby and mama care stuff? They have so many nice items and they look very cute too for a gift.

[Jacqui]

Meals or Maybe a massage certificate or something for when she is ready for a little relaxing time. I know when my son was born i definitely had more than enough baby stuff but really appreciated the thoughtful gifts that had me in mind.

[Mamabeakley]

Having had my 3rd last summer, and no shower I found myself thinking if I could have had a mamashower maybe I would have. Maybe next time. But what would have been really nice would have been gift cards for nursing bras, a nursing top or two, a gift card for a haircut or something . . . although I also think the books or consumables ideas are good.

[Asiago]

A bond to start the college fund! I wish people had given my son this. Not that I didn't appreciate all of the lovely gifts, I just didn't utilize all of them or I needed to return, exchange many, etc.
A start for college funding would have been a great gift.

[1stBabyAt39]

Since this is her first boy, I imagine she'll need some boys' clothes. I would buy her some outfits in larger sizes. Once DD outgrew all her baby shower outfits, she had nothing left to wear! (Thank goodness I had a few friends who gave me some hand-me-downs.) So it's very helpful when they have clothing to grow into.

[hrsmom]

I love the idea of something like natural laundry soap! I love the soap from Maylee's Garden!!

I also am biased, of course, but I love bamboo baby socks! They snug up and don't fall off of baby's wiggly feet! You can click the link in my siggy for socks to see a picture.

[slimkins]

I really really love these.... ROCKABYEBABY cd's.
My personal favorites are The Beatles rendition and the Coldplay rendition.

[caiesmommy]

get the mama a gift! Seriously, she'll need it. Three babies that close in age! OH MY!
Some nice mama bath herbs( I LOVED MINE!), some mama tea, a magazine, warm cozy slippers...then since its her first boy something cheap and boyish, like a baseball hat or something like that

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by CanBoo

Food!
My suggestion is to make her one or two frozen meals. Like chili or lasagnas maybe. She'll be a super busy mama.

That's what I've done this morning, made 3 lasagnas for a very pregnant friend. She sounded absolutely thrilled when I offered.

I do this, people love it.

I've made great gift baskets for cheap with items like washcloths, wipes, diaper cream , lanisinoh, breast pads etc...it's a good gift.

Does she have a wrap? I LOVE mine.

[MsVyky]

Since I've become a mama, I know the one thing that's helped me keep my sanity is a baby carrier.

It will be my standard shower gift.

If you're on a budget, maybe a pouch sling?

[kittykat2481]

I thought of a carrier but didn't know what I could get on a budget besides a homemade wrap. And not knowing her level of comfort with a wrap (like a Moby) and the fact that I don't have the time to make it nice, I'd prefer not to go with that. Maybe I can find a good price on a pouch sling. Those definitely do have their place, especially in the early months. I actually often preferred mine to my wrap.

Thanks for all the great ideas. Hopefully I can incorporate a little of everything into the gift.

[springbride]

What about baby legs/not sox?? DD spends a lot of time in baby legs and a diaper playing on the ground.

[SarahO]

Mitetees!

My standard baby gift, especially for moms with more than one kid, is a "production series" onesie. the shirt will state the parent's names like this: "a smith and jones production", and if you want you can add reference to the child number, where it would say "3rd edition" below that. i gave this gift to a friend recently, and she said it was her favorite shower gift. i like giving it because its something that's super cute, but not something i would buy for myself...

[gothnurse3]

My last child was a boy. After 2 girls I really wanted some BOY stuff. I asked for natural toys...real safe wooden toys...got a firetruck, dump truck. The cool thing is I held on to them and gave them to him 1 at time during his first year. They are still his favorites.

[Beauchamp]

I second the Babylegs idea!! The boy patterns are so cool.

Also the Rockabye Baby CDs, if you know what bands she/her DH like. We have The Cure and Led Zeppelin and they're great. We got ours from Amazon.