How to Buy a Super Baby Shower Gift

Baby Showers are fun and exciting. But what kind of gift should you get. You could buy newborn clothes like everyone else. Or you could get baby a fantastic gift.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Skip the Registry: I know that sounds horrible. New mommies tend to overstuff the list with clothes that will only fit the baby for a couple months. They also often include high price tag items that they expect family members to shell out the cash for. Besides if the other nine guests stick to the registry your fantastic gift will stand out. There are a number of useful, and fun, things you can get for baby

2. 
    
   The Boppy is loads of fun for baby.

   Buy a Boppy: I've known lots of people with babies and it amazes me at how few bought a Boppy. This product is fantastic. Mommy can use it for support to feed her newborn. Once baby is a little bigger you can prop her up on it. Baby will love this. After feedings put her on it and she'll spit up less. She'll also have a blast on her tummy playing with toys. When my wife is not looking I rest my laptop on it. If mommy is a good friend consider buying a slipcover. Don't give it to her though. Put it in a package and get it ready to mail. When baby is about to be six months mail it to mommy. Be sure it will arrive before the day.

3. 
    
   The Bumbo makes a great feeding station and play area.

   Try a Bumbo: If the last suggestion isn't to your taste get a Bumbo. Baby won't be able to use this until she's about three months old. When she can though mommy will thank you for your foresight. Basically a Bumbo is a soft chair for baby to sit in. It offers excellent support. It keeps her from rolling off when mommy runs into the next room to grab something. It is easy to clean, unlike most highchairs. Once baby starts eating food, at around four months, this will make a super feeding station. If you can spare the cash be sure to get the optional table. It is outrageous that you have to buy them seperately but its worth the extra ten bucks. You can put toys on the table, or finger snacks, or her favorite stuffy.

4. 
    
   Younger babies will have fun hanging out in their Jump Up Jenny

   Jenny Jump Up: Baby won't be able to enjoy this until at least four months. But from there it will be useful till she learns to walk. Basically you put your baby in this and she gets to play will her very own bungee cord. At first she'll just sit there. Later she'll learn to jump up and down. My son even learned to walk in circles making the cord taught. He then lifted his feet and the device swung him in circles to his great amusement. If mommy lives in an apartment make sure she has a door jamb or the Jump up Jenny won't work.

5. Skip the Chain Retailers: If you want to get a less expensive gift, or several such gifts, don't go to the big name stores. Everyone else will be shopping there. Run into your local CVS or Walgreens or whatever drug store is near you. They usually have a small baby section. The key, though, is that they tend to carry stuff you don't find in the big chains. This way you can avoid the embarrassment of multiples of the same gift.

6. Consignment Stores are Great: Get out your phone book and find out where the nearby ones are. You will find some good bargains here. Some of it will look brand new. While many of the items were sold at big chain stores it was often several seasons ago. It won't match with anything people bought at the same store a week ago. This same rule applies to thrift stores.

7. Get Mommy Something: This is an exciting time. However, you don't want mommy to feel left out. In all the fun some mommies can feel like the baby is more important than she is. So get her something. Make it small but put some serious thought into it.

Tips & Warnings

• The Boppy, Bumbo, and Jenny Jump Up can all be bought at Target, Babies R Us, or Amazon.
• If you can afford it buy some diapers. But don't buy newborn diapers. Baby will quickly outgrow these. Buy size 1-2 or 2-3.
• If other people are briging diapers pick up a jumbo box of wipes. Mommies often get lots of diapers and only one or two travel size packs of wipes.
• Don't forget to get mommy something, even an inexpensive gift (less than $10). She needs to feel special too.
• Don't buy newborn clothes unless they are on the registry. Only mommy should pick what her precious bundle wears her first few weeks.

[hradcliffe]

on 9/19/2009 The Boppy is a must. Great article 5*.