A rich baby shower!?

Question

I am invited to a baby shower but I'm kind of iffy on going becasue the most of the people that will be there have money and bring nice, expensive gifts. My husband and I are barely starting out and we dont have a lot of money to spend on gifts. Can I please get some suggestions on what I can buy without feeling too out of place.

Answer 1

Im pretty sure that if you go to wal mart or target and get something nice, they wont complain. Just because people have money doesnt mean that they are superficial or materialistic!!
At least not all of us!!

Answer 2

Don't get something for the baby. Get something for the mom.

Everyone loves it when I get to a baby shower with a pretty bag/case filled with everything the mom might want/need to pretty herself up after giving birth. I always include shampoo, conditioner, bath and shower gel, a little bath pouf, a hairbrush (if her hair's long) and/or a comb, some elastics or hairclips, a lightly scented body lotion in a fragrance that she loves, a toothbrush and toothpaste, facial cloths and some moisturizer samples from a cosmetics counter, a mascara sample, etc., etc, all in travel sizes for easy transport. Every time I do this, I get people saying "Wow, I wish I'd thought of that! What a great idea!"

This can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you can afford; I usually splurge on the body lotion and bath/shower gel, because after birth most women feel so yucky that it's important for a woman's self-esteem that she have something that smells nice and makes her feel better for that first shower. A lot of the stuff you can get for less than a dollar apiece, and the most I've spent on one of these is $30--and that was for my sister, who's special, lol.

Answer 3

YES! A DIAPER CAKE!! The reason is that they aren't expensive, but people LOVE them. You can get a diaper cake from the website below for as little as $20 (check out the "Poundcakes") but everyone will just ooh and aah over how cute it is.

I always take the "big" cake when I go to a baby shower. Everyone just crowds around them and asks a million questions. They are amazed at how clever it is, how cute it is, how much stuff is hidden inside, and sometimes people even think they are real cakes!!

A diaper cake really adds atmosphere to the baby shower (lots of people use them for centerpieces,) but the best part is they are totally practical because they are made of usable disposable diapers that every expectant mom needs!! Nobody wants to give a plain old pack of Pampers, but giving one of these cakes is great fun. Plus, a year from now, mom-to-be won't remember who got her the washcloths or the baby bathtub, but she will remember the diaper cake for sure! It will make her baby shower just that much more special and memorable too.

No one will know you didn't spend a lot because these cakes are gorgeous!! Have a look. And remember that people with money got that way by being smart with their finances - no one there will fault you for staying within your means!!

Enjoy the baby shower!

Answer 4

If she likes getting a man pedi get her a gift cert to her favorite place, there's also a a trip to a day spa or something as simple as a gift basket. It really just all depends on what she likes. I think its always appropriate to give the hostess/host a gift. It was the way I was raised. The people attending the shower are given free food, drinks and usually a little gift bag for coming which is usually given by the hostess. SHe probably put alot of time money and effort into getting the event in order.

Answer 5

If people take any notice as to who brought what gift, then those are not people I would want to hang out with.

It's the thought that counts. Make a basket full of baby items, such as fingernail clippers, bulb syringe, a bottle of infant Tylenol (they will go through that a lot!), kleenex, and a few teething toys. Tie it up with a big bow. I would love to get those things as a gift!

Answer 6

Purchase something small that you don't think the other parents will think of but that is going to be super useful...

I remember for my shower I got tons of bibs, and bottles (I wasn't going to use), and so much baby soap that I stopped needing before I used it all.

But I got these little mesh bags to put food in from a friend (they are supposed to prevent choking, and are wonderful for a teething baby because you can put ice cubes in them instead of those little teething toys that have chemicals in them). They were not a super expensive gift but they were my favorite of everything I got and I actually used them (unlike the 40 bibs that I got and never returned since I felt guilty taking them back, whose was I supposed to choose, they were all so cute!)

It's not important how much you spend it's the thought that goes into the gift...

BTW: the little teething bags that I got were by a company called... Baby Safe Feeder, I also got a couple of other types but my favorites were the Baby Safe Feeder bags because they were so easy to use and to clean. You can purchase them through Babies R Us but they also have their own website where you can see the story behind the creation of them.

Answer 7

I would go just to show support. It's the thought that counts; I'm sure the mom-to-be will understand. Diapers (size 3 and up), wipes, onsies, bottles and books are always a great gifts. Don't worry about what other people say/think!!!

Answer 8

I received a nappy cake for my baby shower it was probably one of the least expensive gifts but it was my fav. Get a pack of nappies open them out and roll them up ( about 9 will do) hold them all together with a elastic band so they are in a circle shape, buy a blanket to wrap them - wrap a ribbon around to hold the blanket on- add anything you want teddy, bibs, face washer etc and wrap up with celophane. If you need me to describe better or want me to send a pic please ask

Answer 9

I understand how you feel. I made my sister in law a baby-box . It was filled with everything I was glad I had that first month. (Diapers, wipes, pacifiers, bottle, bath stuff, towels, onsies,formula mix, butp clothes, etc ) I went to target and the whole thing cost me about 100 bucks, but it was huge and full of good stuff. I sent her a note saying that this was box full of stuff I was glad I had at 2 am. I lined the box with baby powder scented shelf paper. I tied a toy and rattles into the ribbon...cute and functional. Hope this helps.

Answer 10

there is so much you could do. i know how it feels to be pretty much broke and be invited to baby showers to go to. i have to go to 2 and i keep trying to figure out things to get the new moms. i got a lot of cool thing at my baby shower. one of my faves was a scrap-booking set. you can check out a place like wal-mart. they haven't hem there for 20$ and it is a complete set. you could put it in a basket with a disposable camera, glue, stickers, stamps, scissors, anything like that. or a basket with bath stuff, a fuzzy sleeper, blanket and a towel. or when my friend had her baby i made her a survival diaper bag, i put Tylenol both for her and the baby, bottle, a can of formula, a magazine, water bottle, gum, grooming kit for the baby, sleeper, deodorant, tooth paste, and things like that and it was all n a back-pack. like i said there is alot you can do with only $50 and it sounds/looks like you spent alot and you didn't have to.I really hopped this helped

Answer 11

Has the mom-to-be registered anywhere? If so, I would buy the cheapest item on her list. If it is like $2 then add a couple more items in with it that she has register for. If she has not registered, I would go to any store and buy what you can afford. The ammount of $$ you spend should not matter, it's the thought that counts.