Gifts for baby showers

[MrsDThomas]

Ive been invited before (cousins i don’t really bother with so could easily say i was busy) and im not keen on them. Unsure in celebrating something that hasn’t yet happened.

But ive had an Invite which be just cannot decline (best friend’s daughter).

So what do you buy? Baby only or mum too?

I'd just get stuff for mum if you're not keen on celebrating baby before it arrives. Then get something for baby when it's here.

Whatever you like.

Very helpful @DockOTheBay

Well I meant there are no rules about if you buy for mum or baby, do whatever you prefer.

Most people buy for baby but I agree do what you like

Mostly people buy for the baby.
It doesn't have to be much if you'd rather give when they are born.

Baby grows, vests, muslins, baby toiletries, outfit.

I bought a token gift for both and a larger gift when the baby was there.

I bought a gift for mum, and saved the baby present for when it had arrived.

Choose a book (something you remember as a child) or something from a charity shop and write a message to the child in it for the future. I asked some friends to do it for my Sister and it turned out lovely.

Traditionally, it should be something for the baby

'Shower-type gift' means inexpensive and useful. I tend to go for pretty muslins or baby toiletries.

If you give a shower gift, then there is no expectation that you should give a second gift when baby arrives (though obvs lovely if you choose to)

I generally avoid showers simply because I prefer to wait until a baby has actually arrived

I was given chocolate for after the birth at mine. As I had gestational diabetes and couldn't have chocolate it was the best gift ever! I took it in my hospital bag and the thought of it being there waiting for me really helped. The baby gifts were lovely (especially the nappies - we didn't buy any for a month!) but the chocolate was definitely the best. So I'd suggest taking chocolate and nappies.

At my baby shower, I didn't want people spending loads or worrying about what to get, so my SIL suggested that everyone buy a book for the baby.
She had a list of who was getting what, so we got no duplicates, everyone wrote a little message in the cover and DD had a full bookshelf before she arrived.

We got things like:
The very hungry caterpillar
Peepo
Going on a bear hunt
The velveteen rabbit
A book of fairytales
The gruffalo

I know people some aren’t happy about buying before a baby arrives. I know someone whose baby was born unexpectedly poorly died at within the first week. She that her baby shower was one of few celebration of her baby that she got to share with other people and its a very precious memory.

Check if she has a wish list, some people set up registries or Amazon wish lists.

The most useful thing I got as a baby gift was a boots voucher, used it to buy formula and nappies once baby was here and I knew what size and brand I wanted to stock up on.

Thank you all.

Books are a good idea, but i prefer to buy those when baby is older.

Mum is an avid reader and has written a couple of novels, so they will be on my list for Christmas one year!

I think ill buy mum a gift and a small item of clothing for baby. Then when baby arrives ill buy a proper gift.

Oh i like that idea! She’s into her Neom and spa stuff. Thank you