Fun, Inexpensive Baby Shower Gift?
November 9, 2015 5:12 PM Subscribe
Help me think of a not-too-expensive gift (under $50) to take to a friend's baby shower. They have a registry but I'd rather get them something fun that they weren't expecting.
At my own recent wedding, I found that the non-registry gifts were charming. Also, I bought a registry wedding gift for these people for their own wedding not long ago, and they subsequently attended my wedding but didn't give anything (technically they have eight more months or so, but I'm not holding my breath).
Bean-counting aside, though: any ideas?
At my own recent wedding, I found that the non-registry gifts were charming. Also, I bought a registry wedding gift for these people for their own wedding not long ago, and they subsequently attended my wedding but didn't give anything (technically they have eight more months or so, but I'm not holding my breath).
Bean-counting aside, though: any ideas?
This frog spoon is adorable. I got a huge kick out of it when my dad gave me one, and have given it to others myself. Maybe get a cute kid's bowl or plate to go with it.
They'll need it soon enough, but since it's not used immediately, won't receive too many to actually use.
posted by telepanda at 5:39 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
They'll need it soon enough, but since it's not used immediately, won't receive too many to actually use.
posted by telepanda at 5:39 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'd go with a couple of board books.
posted by Tamanna at 5:41 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Tamanna at 5:41 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Tamanna beat me to it-- my go-to baby shower gift is a basket or canvas tote bag ( or wonderful diaper bag if it's a good friend) stuffed with adorable board books. It's never too early to start building a little library!
posted by bookmammal at 5:55 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bookmammal at 5:55 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I usually do Out of Print onesie with the actual book and some pacifiers. You can never have enough baby books or pacifiers or onesies!
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 5:57 PM on November 9, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 5:57 PM on November 9, 2015 [4 favorites]
Padraig baby slippers are a requirement for West Coast babies and my go-to shower gift. If you are going off registry, something unique and hand made would be what I would want!
posted by rozee at 6:09 PM on November 9, 2015
posted by rozee at 6:09 PM on November 9, 2015
Go on Etsy or head to some local craft fairs and find some baby knitwear. You could go with just a sweater and knitted cap, a blanket, or something more. Costume type things would be hella fun for taking pictures of the baby in, like a knit aviator hat or viking helmet.
apparently i broke etsy, linking is failing me.
posted by lizbunny at 6:30 PM on November 9, 2015
apparently i broke etsy, linking is failing me.
posted by lizbunny at 6:30 PM on November 9, 2015
Best gift from our baby shower: nose Frida snot sucker and a vat of triple paste butt cream. Not even joking. Package it with a board book or two about farting and you have a winner.
posted by lydhre at 6:51 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by lydhre at 6:51 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Regardless of what you choose, make sure to put it in this prank box.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 7:00 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 7:00 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
I knit, so I have an advantage, but I like pairing a book with a piece of clothing or soft toy. So the Very Hungry Caterpillar with a pull along caterpillar toy, or Peter Rabbit book with a bunny toy. Or my latest achievement: Dachshund cardigan with Pretzel.
posted by kjs4 at 7:02 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by kjs4 at 7:02 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
You could make a diaper cake: http://alphamom.com/family-fun/activities/how-to-make-a-unique-diaper-cake-ha/
Very fun, very functional, won't break the bank - and new parents ALWAYS need more diapers.
You could also do a sleep soothing gift pack with HALO sleep sacks or similar (great for new parents who haven't quite mastered non-Velcro swaddle blankets), a copy of "The Happiest Baby on the Block", and if you're feeling crafty a glove full of rice with the top sewn up (like this https://www.pinterest.com/pin/51791464435714723/).
posted by dotparker at 7:07 PM on November 9, 2015
Very fun, very functional, won't break the bank - and new parents ALWAYS need more diapers.
You could also do a sleep soothing gift pack with HALO sleep sacks or similar (great for new parents who haven't quite mastered non-Velcro swaddle blankets), a copy of "The Happiest Baby on the Block", and if you're feeling crafty a glove full of rice with the top sewn up (like this https://www.pinterest.com/pin/51791464435714723/).
posted by dotparker at 7:07 PM on November 9, 2015
Socks, socks, socks. Nobody ever gives you baby socks, and it is impossible to understand how many baby socks you go through. Baby socks seem to evaporate after one or two wearings, assuming they don't mysteriously fall off or somehow get soaked in poop.
posted by erst at 7:12 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by erst at 7:12 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
My usual go-to baby shower gift is a Baby Survival Box. This is any pretty box that is filled with helpful things such as (but not limited to)
Ear Plugs
Chocolates
Safety pins in many sizes
Giant pack of headache pills
Eye mask and herbal stress-relief tea
Chocolates
Minibar size bottle of booze - labelled "In Case of Emergency"
Bed socks with a non-slip tread
Chocolates
The Little Book of Calm
Chocolates etc etc etc
Interestingly enough, the ear plugs and bed socks seem to be the most appreciated, although no-one has complained about the chocolates. Your mileage etc etc
posted by ninazer0 at 7:19 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
Interestingly enough, the ear plugs and bed socks seem to be the most appreciated, although no-one has complained about the chocolates. Your mileage etc etc
posted by ninazer0 at 7:19 PM on November 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
erst - someone gave us these socks and they are un-loseable. All other socks evaporate but these ones magically stay on.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:59 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:59 PM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I know the answer to this, and it is: BABY TROPHY. There are TWO baby toppers for trophies on Trophy Depot — not a paid placement, simply a satisfied customer right here — and I prefer this one. You can get BASICALLY ANY KIND OF TROPHY (warning: sooooo many options) with a baby on top instead of a soccer ball or whatever. Then get it engraved with whatever you like. It is secretly very affordable! I got the trophy of my dreams, four days after I ordered it, for less than $30. You can do it cheaper, depending, or more extravagantly, again, depending. The one I gave was a huge hit, and I plan on giving babies only trophies from here on out.
posted by Charity Garfein at 9:21 PM on November 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Charity Garfein at 9:21 PM on November 9, 2015 [5 favorites]
We got a billion baby towels, but our favorites are normal sized towels with hoods embroidered to look like Star Wars characters. My husbands aunts and cousins gave this to us, in a little red wagon.
The little wagon was repurposed as her hamper for a while, and now holds her dolls.
So - cool towels or a tiny wagon. Or a real sized wagon, that's a fun gift.
If you want to get clothes, get 3 or 6 month sized pajamas, seasonally appropriate. We have so many cute outfits and almost no pajamas.
posted by kellygrape at 9:25 PM on November 9, 2015
The little wagon was repurposed as her hamper for a while, and now holds her dolls.
So - cool towels or a tiny wagon. Or a real sized wagon, that's a fun gift.
If you want to get clothes, get 3 or 6 month sized pajamas, seasonally appropriate. We have so many cute outfits and almost no pajamas.
posted by kellygrape at 9:25 PM on November 9, 2015
We got a billion baby towels, but our favorites are normal sized towels with hoods embroidered to look like Star Wars characters.
Yes! Some of the best baby pictures I have are all of my kids wearing the duck or the cat or the Yoda towels. I never would buy things like that myself, but they're really cute.
Also, getting the mom swanky sweats like Lululemon is an awesome present. She'll feel gross after delivery and having really nice, spanking brand new elastic waisted yoga pants are a most luxurious treat.
posted by kinetic at 3:19 AM on November 10, 2015
Yes! Some of the best baby pictures I have are all of my kids wearing the duck or the cat or the Yoda towels. I never would buy things like that myself, but they're really cute.
Also, getting the mom swanky sweats like Lululemon is an awesome present. She'll feel gross after delivery and having really nice, spanking brand new elastic waisted yoga pants are a most luxurious treat.
posted by kinetic at 3:19 AM on November 10, 2015
Response by poster: Bunny hat is very cute! Love the chicken towel! And swanky sweats is a super thought. Thanks for all the great ideas.
I think I'm going to go with an assortment of children's books for this shower—stuff I loved when I was little, that their tyke can grow into—and maybe pick up a chicken towel for another friend of mine who has a little one.
It seems like everyone I know had a baby this year, so I'll probably be mining from this list again and again.
posted by toomuchkatherine at 4:12 PM on November 12, 2015
I think I'm going to go with an assortment of children's books for this shower—stuff I loved when I was little, that their tyke can grow into—and maybe pick up a chicken towel for another friend of mine who has a little one.
It seems like everyone I know had a baby this year, so I'll probably be mining from this list again and again.
posted by toomuchkatherine at 4:12 PM on November 12, 2015
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posted by Ostara at 5:22 PM on November 9, 2015 [3 favorites]