baby shower - to turn up with a teddy.

[RomanyRoots]

Going to a baby shower tomorrow, never been to one before.
My dil was talked into it by her sisters, it wasn't her idea and they have most things for the baby.
I want to buy them something they need when baby actually arrives, so not being mean.
Do they open presents after or during the event.
I don't want her family and friends thinking I'm going to be a mean grandma
if this isn't suitable, anybody any ideas.

I know your DIL's pain. I was also talked into having a baby shower, but we invited the whole family. More like a 'get together before the baby arrives' (I still hated it though )

The best gift that I received were nappies also sleep suits aged 3-6 months for when they're a wee bit older

I recommend the spot the dog book 'grandma and me', as a token gift for baby. I agree with other posters about a gift for mum. I'd suggest mummy mits (gloves that attach to the pram handle) very useful as she will be out walking with the pram over winter I'm sure.

You can get both of these on amazon to save you leaving the house.

Your DIL will appreciate anything because it's from you and given with care. It can be easy to be inundated by teddies, baby clothes, chocolate and bath products. Some other things we found incredibly useful for the baby were the pushchair snoozeshade, a decent baby blanket, baby sleeping sacks and matchstick monkey (for later teething). Maybe talk to your DIL about the bigger items to agree what to get in advance, my MIL was kind enough to get us the pushchair, which came with a car seat, so we bought it in advance as the car seat is needed to leave hospital.

Really surprised so many people recommended nappies, I think that’s a rubbish gift!

We got given so many teddies and things and they are quite useless for newborns. Lamaze toys are better but personally I’d give something to the mum and give a gift for baby when she arrives. Blossom and Bloom do lovely products, or maybe a really comfy and pretty nursing outfit.

Also Cook vouchers are great so they can stock the freezer before the baby is born.

Yes I think something nice for the Mum to be, some lush products, hand creams. Make up a small hamper with these items with chocolates. A nice dressing gown?

Only get something for DIL if you know she's having a non-traditional shower. Gifts would normally be for use with the baby.

A small toy would be a good shower-type gift, and I agree that the Lamaze type ones are better than plushies

The Lamaze donkey and leopard have been hits with DD and friends. Otherwise I second Cook vouchers!

How about a music box? Or something like Ewan the sleep sheep? I got one like this -

Woodland Friends - Wooden Music Box https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IPNBPR6/ref=cmswwrcppapi_G8cGBb65861C9

For my niece and she still loves watching and listening to it at 2 and a half

It is available in UK and for a much better price, not sure why it's linked to the .ca store!

My MIL is Dutch, and she gave us a traditional Dutch gift which was a basket filled with ten (I think it was ten anyway) small wrapped presents. You unwrap one each day after the baby is born. It was a mix of things for the baby and things for us - so a baby vest, a box of chocs, fancy nappy rash cream, a bottle of wine, a board book, hand cream, small teddy etc. It was so thoughtful and a nice little moment each day amidst the chaos and confusion of the first couple of weeks with a newborn.

In a typical Dutch move I also seem to remember her taking the empty basket back the next time she visited “I’ll be needing that back for the next one”

A bag of pampers and something like a rattle or a plushie with a music box inside. (I still have the one I received as a baby.)