baby shower gifts – Marisa Meidle's Baby Showers

Baby Shower Gift Alternatives

Ofcourse there is nothing with having a baby registry like in any other traditional baby shower. That way, guests would know what the mom or parents-to-be needs. Plus, opening gifts is the happiest part of the baby shower, thus a time-honored tradition. It’s fun to hear guests say aaaaw…, swoon over the gifts, and pass them around to look at.

However, if you are not so much into gifts or is superstitious about opening gifts before the baby is born, then doing it is cringy and not fun for you. A word of advise though, in case you think of putting a note that says “no gifts” in your invitation, please don’t. When people see that, it’ll raise eyebrows and cause them to feel uncomfortable, and still decide get you gifts. Why? Because it is human nature to bring something when attending a party, it’s uncomfortable to come empty handed. Myself included.

Instead of saying “no gifts,” there are other choices for your guests to channel their good intention. Here are some gift alternatives that you may want to consider, and that you and your guests can be happy about.

1. Go for Books
This is something that the baby may not enjoy early on, but it will benefit them as they grow older. A book library is awesome as well as for that many bedtime story reading. These books can also later be donated and will be much appreciated.

Here are some favorite books:
a. I Kissed the Baby – by Mary Murphy
b. Goodnight Moon – by Margaret Wise Brown
c. Pat the Zoo – by LV Studio
d. Guess How Much I Love You – by Sam McBratney
e. I Love You as Big as the World – by David Van Buren
f. Time for Bed – by Jane Dyer
g. Counting Kisses – by Karen Katz
h. Look, Look – by Peter Linenthal
i. Everywhere Babies – by Susan Meyers
j. From Head to Toe – by Eric Carle

2. Baby or Mother Related Charity
It doesn’t have to be something grand or a charity that is loud. Choose something that speaks to your heart, something that you are passionate about.

Ask your guests to donate to this cause instead of buying you a gift, they will surely love to do something for a good cause too. Just remember though to choose something that is not politically motivated or religious in nature. Instead, go for a neutral ground work like non-profit organizations that help families in need or taking care of orphans.

3. Diaper Raffle
This one is not much of an alternative, because it is often a fun activity in baby showers. Seriously speaking, you can never have too much diapers, and this is also a great way for guests to enjoy something in return of gifting you packs of diapers.

4. Baby Gifts for Donation
This is another worthwhile alternative to baby shower gifts. Instead of buying you gifts, guests can buy gift items for those who actually need them. Ask them to donate gifts to your charity works or projects. It is actually a wonderful opportunity for your guests to do something special whilst doing good in your community.

So next time you think of putting a note that say “no gjfts, please” in your invitation, write something like “would appreciate for you to consider…” with the althernative of your choice. That way they won’t feel coming empty handed.

The thing is you cannot really ask and expect your family and friends to come to your baby shower empty handed. You may not like opening gifts in baby showers, and that is fine and understandable. But understand too that most people are not okay coming to parties, especially baby shower without something. And don’t get it wrong, it is not a burden to them but a real sweet gesture with genuine intention – to help you prepare for parenthood and join in your celebration.

So, no gifts but why not opt for the alternatives above? Hope you find them interesting and fun.

Overlooked Baby Shower Gift Registry Items

Creating a baby shower gift registry is exciting and fun, but it can also be a little bit stressful and confusing, especially when there Is noone to guide the parents-to-be.

You might be asking yourself – is this too much? How many is too much? Is it fine to put expensive items? What items should I take off from the gift registry? So on and so forth.

Now if you consult expert parents, you’ll realize that there are actually baby items that are often missed out, but when situation comes, they are actually really essential.

Here’s a list of items that often overlooked by parents-to-be when they are coming up with their baby shower gift registry:

1. Humidifier
I get it, this isn’t an item you’d think of first when you’re the one buying the gift. It is not the kind of item that will result in a lot of “awwww” upon opening like those cute baby clothes and shoes. It won’t be an item that will be passed around the guests to look at. But, they come very handy and useful when the situation comes where the baby is congesting with dry, flaky skin and having difficulty to fall back to sleep.

You as parent will definitely thank that aunt or friend of yours for gifting that sinus-healing, and sleep-helping cool humidifier. Saves you from that long sleepless night.

2. Nightlight
Okay this is another item that may not get that round of “awww” upon opening, but these are actually some cute nightlights that come with the brightness control, white noise, lullabies, and some cool features for older years and more.

This is actually helpful for parents to change diapers in the middle of the night and swaddle your baby without having to flip on the bright lights.

3. Outdoor Blanket
Here is another item that most folks wouldn’t think of when selecting baby shower gifts. But, outdoor blankets are really useful. It can be used indoors when you need something soft to set the baby down. It is sturdy and water resistant which is good for drippy, sloppy, and leaky babies. And it’s a perfect blanket for park visits and outdoor activities.

4. Baby Wipes
Guests love to gift diapers. They even try to fashion it by putting some raffles, wrapping it well, or fashion them into festive baby shower cake. Often too diapers are used for fun activity in baby showers, each box of diapers in exchanged with a raffle to win baby shower prizes.

Baby wipes on the other hand, have more use than diapers and need just as much if not more, are often overlooked and not treated the same.

5. Wet Bag
Just like baby wipes, this one is another item that is often missed out. Guests won’t think of it when choosing baby shower gift. But this item is actually a life saver and a very good parent pal.

A water bag is a waterproof bag for holding wet, dirty or poop covered baby items, and keeping them away from the other baby items when you are on the go. You’ll definitely thank that one friend or relative who gifts you this when the time comes.

These items may not be the kind of baby shower gifts that will collect rounds of “awwws” and make your guests swoon nor will it be an item that will be passed around for everyone to look at and even take pictures of. But, when the time comes, they are very useful and found to be a life saver.

While you are listing all those cutesy adorable baby items, consider including these items in your gift registry and you’ll definiely thank the ones who will gift you these. In my next post, I will be sharing more baby shower items that are often missed out in the gift registry.

Baby Shower Gifts for Parents Who Already Have Kids

Parents who already have a child or children may already own newborn essentials, and because they already have most of the essentials an expecting parents need, it can be quite tough to find what else to buy them.

Buying baby shower gifts for first born baby is relatively easy, because you know that the expecting parents are starting zero, so they will need all the baby essentials they can get. But when it comes to second, third or so baby, unless there is a huge gap between the sibling and the impending baby, buying gifts get a bit tricky – what else do the parents need though?

If you are attending a baby shower or baby sprinkle of expecting parents who already have kids, and you’re having a hard time choosing the right gift, here are some great gift ideas that are fun and really useful.

But before that, you can never go wrong with “newborn basics” even if the expecting parents are having second, third or so baby. Newborn basics are the kind of stuff they’ll need plenty of, and therefore it will be a huge help for them, especially now that their family is growing. Basic essentials like diapers, wet wipes, bath soap and shampoo, lotion, powder, and the likes are the most practical gift you can gift them, and will surely be highly appreciated.

However, if you want to go beyond the newborn basics, here are some of the best gifts you can get them:

1. BABY SITTING
Any parent with a couple of kids would love to have some alone time. Babysitting service is the best gift you can give them. Having someone watch over the baby and the older siblings will give the parents couple of hours to relax, take a walk perhaps, have a long bath, read a book, sleep, and recharge.

2. STORAGE BOXES
Eveytime there is a new baby, there are also lots of new stuff, from clothes to toys to gadgets and equipments and more. Gifting them with spacious storage boxes for the new addition to the family will make their life easier. It helps to have additional room to hold those special keepsakes and essential stuff, and help them organize.

3. PAMPER PRODUCTS
With a hectic daily routine and so much on their hands and barely getting sleep, a night free of all these chaos is pure luxury. Get the parents out of the house for a couple of hours or the whole day if possible, without worrying about their kids. Treat them on a spa, dinner, overnight in a hotel, go to a theatre and others. It will be a perfect way to recharge.

4. BABY SLING OR CARRIER
With their hand full, having a sling or carrier helps parents carry their baby hands-free and allow them to multi-task.

5. PHOTO SESSION
With the technology today and the smartphones, it is easier to capture photos and post them on instagram for instance. But, there is something special with printed photos taken in a studio with the whole family.

6. CLEAN HOUSE
Lend a helping hand or hire a cleaner to help parents get through their sleepless and hectic day-to-day routine now that their brood is growing. Anything that will make their life easier will be a great help.

7. PREPARED FOOD
This will be highly appreciated. You can either order a weeks food delivery service or some grocery shopping of ready-made food or spend time in their kitchen and help them in preparing food. Parents will barely have time for themselves with more kids plus a new one. They will surely appreciate extra hand.

8. GIFT CARD
A gift card to a baby store is a great alternative to baby clothes where the baby might end up getting plenty of in the same size, and also they might already have plenty of these clothes from hand-me-down. Atleast the parents can get something else to fill the gaps.

9. LUXURY TREATS
This is all about the parents. Having more kids take a lot of toll on the parents and will totally appreciate treats at the end of a hectic day. Simple treats like a box of chocolates or some fine wine if you want to be generous.

10. SHOWER FOR THE OLDER SIBLING
Sometimes the older sibling might feel neglected with the coming of a new baby. Buying gifts like books or toys for the older siblings will make them feel special and appreciate having younger sibling.

Whether its the second, third or so child, any baby shower gift is much appreciated. You can never go wrong really, anything that genuinely comes from the heart, thoughtful and useful for the family’s growing brood is the best. Hope this list help you find what you are looking for.

Best Baby Shower Gifts by Parenting Experts – Part 3

Here are some more of the best baby shower gifts choosen, proven and vetted by parenting experts. If you haven’t decided on an item yet or perhaps still looking for ideas, hope these ideas here may help you find what you are looking for and the best gift for the mom-to-be or the new bundle of joy:

1. Hatch Rest – Night Light. This is not just a night light or a glow in dark producing various colors, but it can be set-up for different routines, complete with colorful light show and white noise or relaxing sounds for bedtime or wake-up time, and can also be set to read bedtime stories. It can be used with an application, allowing parents to control it though the app and without having to get in and out of the baby’s room.

2. 4-in-1 Walker. This is another great baby shower gift because it can be used for many years, and when well taken cared, can be passed on to the next baby. It can be used as a tummy-time entertainer when the baby’s a couple months old. Then, when the baby starts making first steps, it can be transformed into a walker. And when they start to grow, it can be converted into a shopping cart plus a stroller.

3. Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit. This is no ordinary kit because it comes with all the essentials often not thought of especially by first time moms-to-be. The kits comes with the essentials including those that will be needed for later like comfy underwears for postpartum, and soothing essentials like ice maxi pads, cooling pad liners, and healing foam.

4. 4-in-1 Carrier. This is something very useful especially for moms or parents who are always on the go. It can carry the baby forward or backward. It’s lightweight and comfortable material and built make’s it very easy to use. In particular, the Infantino Flip Advancd 4-in-1 Carrier is the best selling carrier on Amazon.

5. Video Baby Monitor. In particular look for “HiPP Video Baby Monitor.” This item can be used for video or for audio only. It also checks the room temperature, and can be used as a two-way walkie talkie. The monitor or camera can be tilted, panned or zoomed for better result or clearer picture of the baby. And what’s great is that it doesn’t need Wi-Fi in order to operate.

In my previous posts, I have shared more of the best picks for a baby shower gifts. You can also check them out for more ideas. Hope the list above helped you find what you are looking for.

Best Baby Shower Gifts by Parenting Experts

If you need to get a baby shower gift or gifts for your mom-to-be bestie or family member or a co-worker, you can either look into the baby registry if they were able to put together one. Usually though, first time moms or parents still don’t know what they need, so even if they have put together a registry, they might miss out an item or two that’s super essential.

I have put together a couple of gift ideas for baby shower picked by experts in parenting. You might want to consider some of these ideas. Whether you’re thinking of getting a baby boy or baby girl or gender neutral gift, these are some of the best baby shower gifts. These items are tested and vetted by experts and real families. They are proven safe, durable, and useful or helpful for both the baby and mom or parents-to-be.

1. Britax Willow Brook Travel System. This item won a “Good Housekeeping Parenting Award” because it was proven and tested for its ease of use. It can easily snap from car seat to stroller without having to un-buckle or re-buckle the baby.

2. Baby Björn Baby Bibs. This is something very useful for babies when they start eating solid foods. The bibs come in two packs with curved spill pocket to catch the mess and it can be thrown on the dishwasher too, which makes it easy to clean-up.

3. Vicks 3-in-1 Sleepy Time Humidifier. This item also won “Good Housekeeping Parenting Award.” It is a humidifier, night lamp, and essential oil diffuser all in one. It is also lightweight and compact which helps babies get a good sleep even when they have colds, and so mom or parents also get a good sleep.

4. Jellycat Personalized Puppy Soother. What is good about this playard is that it has the basics and keeping things light when you are on the go and traveling. It also have wheels making it super easy to move around.

5. Edushape Sensory Balls. This won the Good Housekeeping’s “Best Toy Award.” They can be used by babies in different ways. They can be used for baby’s exploring textures, grasping and shifting from hand-to-hand, and when they learn catching and throwing. The material is super safe and they are less inflated so it is easy to grip.

You need not worry that you might get the wrong gift/s, because you can never really go wrong when it’s from the heart. You can choose to go super pratical and buy stuff that are used everyday like diapers or baby bottles, or you can go for something fun like cute stuffs and adorable clothes and onesies. Or you can focus on the mom-to-be and get her something like self-pampering stuff which she use after child birth or a couple of adorable maternity dresses.

These are just 5 of the best picks for the best baby shower gifts choosen and vetted by experts. I will be sharing more best baby shower gift ideas in my next posts.