Shower Gift Ideas

[gina]

My sister-in-laws have informed me that it is time for me to give them a list of people to invite to my baby shower and to get out there and register for gifts! At 20 weeks I thought this might be premature, but I suppose no sense in procrastinating.

So, as a first-timer, I am asking those with some experience what I should register for or get for the new baby. Or conversely, maybe there is something I should steer clear of. I am not asking that anyone create my total list of course, but perhaps you have some particular item that you couldn't live without, or that most people don't think of, but is great to have.

I welcome any and all comments! Thank you.

Gina

 

[mogambo]

I don't know the brand name and my daughter is almost 18 so maybe it isn't even out there anymore, but I really loved a little hand-held food grinder for babies. It was white plastic, easy to clean. I never bought any baby food. I just put banana, sweet potatoes, cooked vegetables, regular oatmeal or whatever in there and ground it up. It just made as much or as little as you needed.

Another tip. Instead of buying those "baby cereals", just grind the dry grain (whole rice, oats, barley) in a blender or special coffee grinder you don't use for coffee. Whirl it into a powder, boil a little water and stir it in and cook. It is cheap, wholesome and convenient, no chemicals additives or silly packaging. This won't help you for the shower, but I thought it might be useful to you. "Just a suggestion, take it or leave it."

 

[Beets]

If you have a Babies R Us store near you, definitely register there. I too had no clue what to register for but they are very helpful at that store and even give you a list of basics that you should ask for. We basically cruised through the whole store and if we like it, we registered for it. We had some really low ticket items and some really high ticket items as well (stroller system, high chair, breast pump,pack-n-play, swing). As far as the high ticket items, I figured some people like to go in on a big gift and that would give them the opportunity to get one of the big items. Or, if not, then they would see that we want some pretty expensive items so it would be a good reason to give gift cards. I have not had my baby yet so I cannot offer advice on what I could not live without but I do plan on breastfeeding and I have heard that a Boppy pillow is a must have. Register for the one that has changeable covers since the baby may spit up on the pillow and then you can wash the cover and replace. Some have a permanent cover on them I believe. Another suggestion is an activity gym-- a little mat that has an arch with hanging toys and stuff. You place the baby on its back and it can gaze up at the toys and bat them around. My friends say this is a must have. I also registered for a sleep positioner--it keeps the baby sleeping on its back and prevents it from rolling over. Then of course, there are the usuals : baby monitors, diaper bags, diaper pails, bouncy seats, sheets, blankets, onesies, all that stuff. Good luck and have fun. It can get a little overwhelming though because there is SO MUCH stuff at these stores and you can feel like you need it all!