Sweet Baby Gifts

My sister is "hosting" the shower, but since she’s not in the best economical situation at the moment [surprise IRS bill--go figure] I’m in the position that, if I want to have the shower go according to the original plan, I’ve got to foot the bill for the food, the game prizes and game supplies, the plastic plates/flatware, and the party favors. I’m a very thrifty spender, so it’s not as if I’m spending hundreds of dollars on these things, but it still bothers me that no one else attending has offered to contribute [with the exception of providing baby gifts].
I’m also making the food/desserts. I purchased the custom invitations [less than $15 w/ a coupon I had] and sought out the venue.

My sister’s friend was supposed to have provided game ideas/supplies, but is now not going to because of a recent financial "crisis," which wouldn’t necessarily preclude her actually helping me with planning these things–she just copped-out of the obligation.

Now, I don’t want to seem like a spoiled brat about this, because I understand my sister’s situation and I don’t really mind helping some financially, but this has gotten out of hand totally. I don’t have that many people who are supportive [no close relatives, orphaned, etc.] so it was left up to her…
I feel badly for being so bloody annoyed–should I?
You’re right, Cav. It is about the baby, and I am receiving gifts for her. Thanks for putting it into better perspective.
I hope I’m forgiven, though, if I still feel a little overwhelmed.

If that is the case(that really does suck). I would opt for a cheap shower. Don’t go fancy. Go simple. So you can save as much money as possible for your baby. Just have a dessert shower. Cake/punch. Simple games that you can print off the computer. Get prizes at the dollar store etc.

i used all the original johnsons baby products when my daughter was born. i starting using the shampoo for straight hair, and the scented variety of lotions and body washes just before 1 year old. when should i buy her ‘big girl’ stuff? still tear free and scented, but not johnsons, nothing with the word ‘baby’ on it. when she can read possibly? or when she asks for ‘big girl’ stuff? or did you just decide one day to buy your child different stuff.

what is your experience, what age?

My daughter is 4 and I still use the baby stuff because I still haven’t used up everything I got for my baby shower. Whoever said "you can never have enough baby wash" was wrong.

If I didn’t have a massive stockpile to work through and if my daughter was asking for it, I’d get it so long as there wasn’t a significant price difference, but I don’t really see the rush.

A friend of mine hand knit a blanket for my little one. She used our nursery’s colors and it’s beautiful. I thought that was a super thoughtful gift. It takes so much time to make something like that.

So I purchased a shopping cart cover for my baby and i love it. I have to friends baby showers that are coming up and I want to make them both one instead of buying them because they are very pricey. Does any one know how to make these or have made them before? I have an idea but i rather have a better idea of what i am doing. If any one can help that be greaT. THANK YOU

Try this site:

http://www.shoppingcartcoverpattern.com/

I have a few friends who are all pregnant at the same time, including myself, so we have been discussing baby shower ideas. These babies are all 2nd babies for us, and were not really sure about what to do.

We all have things left over from our 1st babies, so we don’t need much. We also don’t want any of that generic baby shower stuff like powders, creams, etc and other useless crap we will never use.

Is it wrong to tell people what you want, ie on the invitation or something, or even request money or a gift voucher? What do you think?

With my first baby I did not know how the hole registry thing, and tons of people kept asking me "what do you want? what do you need?" so I told them all the same things and do you know what I got? 20 powders, tons of baby shampoo, lots of baby lotion, and it took me about 2 years to use all of it! (not complaining, just had to keep finding places to put them). then I got 2 bouncers, 2 play and packs, 2 swings. etc.

so with my second I made a registry and got stuff that i NEEDED, I love the fact that they have registries now because now you want get to much stuff you don’t need, and get what you really need.
and no it’s not rude! when ever I hear about a baby shower I find their registry.
and don’t be afraid to ask for money, that’s what my sister did, was not rude or anything.

I’m looking into baby products what are your favorite and why?

Diapers: BumGeinus cloth, and Shoppers Drugmart/Life Brand diapers
Diaper products: bum wipe and powder from Soapstones.ca (Canadian) as they don’t interfere with the cloth diapers and is softly scented.
Bath products: Soapstones.ca again. Their stuff is natural and doesn’t irritate my son’s skin or dry it out.

We tried Burt’s Bees and it was scented too strongly, same with most big-brand stuff, it’s too stinky and dried out my son’s skin really quick. Plus, I like to buy Canadian made natural products and these have been great. I got some as a baby gift and have been buying it ever since.

am creating a basket for an upcoming baby shower and I am looking for dinosaur themed baby gifts. I would really prefer handmade or unique items. Suggestions?

www.babywhatknots.etsy.com

I am travelling to Australia from Europe for my Godsons Christening. He will be 9 months old at the time. What sort of gift should i get him? Also, i am buying his outfit for the Ceremony, what should it look like? Should it be all white? His mother is young, and not into the whole long dress gowns that Babies used to wear…
Any ideas are appreciated!
Thanks!

traditionally the godmother (parents) bought the baptismal candle, the outfit, and a gift. (gets kinda pricey, doesn’t it?) i think the best gift is a child’s first bible, and it doesn’t need to be an expensive one. the one we got was child-friendly, with bright pictures and very short stories. (and, of course, a very sweet note inside from his godparents!) my boys all wore a snow-white dress shirt, pants, socks and shoes, with white-on-white patterned vest and matching bow tie. my mom sewed them so all the boys’ outfits were the same, but i found a website where you can order one. another great gift we received was a baptismal BIB! it protected his good outfit, but he was still lookin dapper! you could also buy a gold or silver cross necklace in a nice box… not to be worn but to to be carried by his wife on their wedding day.

My sister organised a surprise baby shower for me, my husband, mum, brothers, neices, nephews were all in on it.

needless to say it was wonderful

however i got lots of clothes for 0-3 month old - my baby girl is due in dec and i have been given lots of dressses and was wondering should i go and get some of them changed into a bigger size.

so far for 0-3 months including what i received yesterday include:
8 sleep suits
14 vests
10 socks
3 tights
3 jackets
2 jumpers
11 dresses
2 dungaree jumpsuits
3 leggings
2 skirts
5 tops
3 warmer tops
4 booties
5 hats
or do you think this is ample for a 0-3 month old to get through.

that sounds about right. I would take back some of the vests though. 14 is an insane number. But trust me, you will be glad you have all those clothes if you have a baby who spits up a lot and are changing her clothes 3 times a day. It will save you from having to do laundry constantly. Also make sure you have at least a dozen onsies in size NB. Before I had my son I was always under the assumption that babies only fit in newborn clothes for a week and then went into 0-3months. My son was born 6lb-11oz and was wearing preemie clothes for the first 3 weeks, then grew into NB onsies, then grew into the NB outfits at 6 weeks. He’s 10 weeks old and the 0-3 month clothes just now fit him well, and he is not a small baby anymore. He’s now 12-1 and 23 1/2 in.

I guess though it all depends on your baby, but from my personal experience they don’t grow out of there clothes at first, as fast as people make it out to be.

I am creating a basket for an upcoming baby shower and I am looking for Jungle Theme or Safari themed baby gifts. I would really prefer handmade or unique item, I really want the basket to be special, it is for a close friend of mine. Suggestions?

Baby Whatknots sells Jungle stuff, pacifier clips, blankets, burp cloths, etc.