Baby Shower

mincepiemonster

http://tuppenceandcrumble.com/shop/index.php?route=common/home do a lovely range of star wraps which are very nice for a winter baby and save manhandling a newborn into a coat.

They're around £20 I think.

Arlandria606

Personally I dislike the idea of a baby shower and wouldn't want to go to one, even if it was for me. I also think it's better to wait to give baby gifts until the baby is here - there's nothing worse than having to put away baby things after a loss, and they can come at any time.

But.

I'll second the suggestions of a sleep sheep (I've no experience with Ewan, but the travel-size Cloud B one is lovely) and a Sophie the Giraffe teether - they are without doubt the most consistently highly-reviewed baby products out there.

Baby / toddler books are always a safe bet. There's a small copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar that comes with a little plush caterpillar, and something similar for Spot the Dog - something like that, or something known to be a favourite of a parent, will go over well.

If you go for clothes, I would avoid the smallest sizes - a large baby may never fit into newborn, so 0-3 at the smallest. I'd also go for either onesies or clothes that can be easily layered so that they get to be worn when they fit (nothing worse than having a summer dress that's too small by the time summer rolls around, for example).

If you want to be really safe, you could ask the host (presuming it's not the mum-to-be) if there's a baby registry you can check.

If you do come in "under budget", you could always top-up with something nice for the parents - toiletries geared at a new mum are generally well received, ditto nice snack foods. Just avoid anything that requires prep - they'll be too busy - and alcohol as it will taint her milk.

Moomum

Id definitely go for a blanket, is now my go to baby gift of choice. I got a few when DD was born, mamas and papas and white company have nice ones for £30. I still use them now and dd is nearly 4.

lazywife

I was given a White Company baby blanket when my son was born at it's brilliant. It's jersey, not knitted & brilliant for swaddling (or not if not wanted).
http://www.thewhitecompany.com/the-little-white-company/baby/newborn/essentials-jersey-blanket/
Delivery pricey if there isn't one nearby, although maybe you could treat yourself to something in the sale to boost it to over £50, then it's free
L.xxx

hawk30

If you get a blanket you might want to get a cellular blanket (I.e. one with holes in) as I will only use cellular blankets with my LO, especially since she now likes to pull them over her head.

faith2009uk

I wasn't keen on baby showers originally but am now looking at it as a way to catch up with friends and family before the birth of our child. I see it as a celebration not some event to get free stuff for your upcoming arrival. We had one for my SIL and it was a really nice few hours, laughing and just spending quality time with friends and family. Yes, they did bring gifts but they did not bring any once the little one was born, although as Kynthia said they were definetely not expected at either time including the Christening.

As for a gift, Ewan the Dream sheep is fab and SILs little one loves it. But she also adores a blanket she was given and has probably used this the most out of all the gifts she's ever been given for LO.

elle_gee

mincepiemonster wrote: »

http://tuppenceandcrumble.com/shop/index.php?route=common/home do a lovely range of star wraps which are very nice for a winter baby and save manhandling a newborn into a coat.

They're around £20 I think.

I was going to suggest these too

pleasedelete

I think a posh baby shower is a contradiction in terms

however
Bottle of champagne
Baby items from The White Company
Baby toiletries from Neals Yard
Emma Bridgwater Mummy and Daddy mugs

If you know the sex Cath Kidston have some baby stuff very reduced in stores at the moment.

Person_one

emz118 wrote: »

Baby showers were originally a surprise for the mum to be and a way of catching up with everyone before baby arrived, making mum feel special and sharing advice from other mums... that idea I do like.

Really?

I always thought they were an American thing, and that the whole point was to 'shower' the pregnant woman with gifts, as they do at a bridal shower too, hence the name.

Horrible tradition, pretty depressing that its catching on over here.

DKLS

ska_lover wrote: »

Whatever happened to just buying a gift once, when the baby is actually born? Nowadays some parents demand people buy gifts before the baby is born, at a time to suit themselves, and then it is the 'done thing' to gift again when the baby is born. Urghh the whole thing is just tacky and presumtious IMO

The male version is much simpler:


My mate - Wife is pregnant
Me: Congrats your not a Jaffa, pint?


Weekend or 2 after little one appears, wet babies head with numerous jagermeisters and that's it, no presents or cupcakes involved.