Baby shower

For a modest gift after baby is born I often order 'on-line' a plaque giving the name, date of birth and weight of baby. But that's not possible for a pre-baby shower.

Maybe anything from John Lewis or Marks, with a gift receipt, so if it is duplicated, it can be changed. Very soft bunnies are very popular too. Jojo Maman Bebe also has some lovely toys. Enjoy the baby shower - I've never
been to one - not around in our day!

When DD2 had one her MiL ( who organised it) suggested everyone bring a book that was special to them. I thought that was a great idea!

When did 'baby showers' rear their head. We just had a leaving 'do' when we left work and a christening after the baby was born.

Jacky I don't know how much you want to spend but I saw these on Dragon's Den - produced by two mums who are also nurses and who got tired of picking up teething rings from the floor - it is a triangular bib with a chewable rubber end. Genius I thought but the dragons sent them packing

www.cheekychompers.com/

I'v just realised that I my last post sounded like something my aged moaning selfish mother in law would say .sorry hope the baby shower is lovely

Another import from over the pond that we don't need or want IMHO.

Depending on finance, what about a voucher for a photo shoot of the new family with a local photographer.

Agree totally Nina an unwanted import from the US.

What I did for a work colleague was mount a large picture on a board - I drew it but you could use a piece of baby wrapping paper - and attached little joke presents, dated like an advent calendar counting down to the expected delivery date. The couple really enjoyed opening a gift each day. The items needn't cost much, I uncluded a pair of matchsticks for propping open tired eyes, sample-sized baby and mother products, bibs, socks, dummy, feeding spoon etc.
I hope you enjoy the shower.

I agree with nina and Aka.Skinflint me says how about taking something your own child or grandchild has grown out of or may not even have used. It needs to be in excellent condition of course.

As I understand it, a baby shower is held before the baby is born. Not happy with that.

I'm very happy to buy a present when it arrives. Love browsing the baby clothes aisles, I'm all 'oohs and aahs' and 'just look at this'.

DD assures me that a fluffy baby towel with a little hood on the corner from the White Company ( other brands are available) is always welcome - unisex, not "naff" and however sweet baby cuddly toys are, they always get given too many. So this has become my default baby gift!

DD1 didn't have one but DD2's MiL is from Zimbabwe (where they are common) and couldn't be dissuaded. We then felt that,as DD3's baby was due so soon after, we should do one for her - they both hated it! Sil, who lives in Capetown, held one for her Dil as it was 'expected'.

Something for the expectant mum wouldn't go amiss. I'd have loved some luxurious toiletries when I was pregnant.

I'm South African born and we have baby showers. They're great and the only reason I could think of not having one ahead of baby being born would be for superstitious reasons . When we still lived in SA and I went to lots of baby showers, the gifts would be a bottle of baby shampoo, a pack of disposables, bibs, nappy wipes etc. Nothing OTT but a great way of getting a young family set up with essentials. Nowadays of course often the baby comes along only once all the other boxes are ticked, so perhaps the parents don't need contributions.

I wrote on the "Soop's Kitchen" thread about the fabulous 'kitchen tea' (another idea from "home") we recently held for my about-to-be-married daughter, where everyone brings a small gift for the kitchen. Much, much better than the ghastly "hen do's" that are popular here and very much enjoyed by all her young English girlfriends.

... the kitchen tea was very much enjoyed, I mean.

My daughter always tells me that one of the most useful little bits of equipment I bought her was a 'Totseat', its a fabric chair adapter that works on most chairs to convert it into a safe and snug highchair for a baby (once it can sit up). It rolls up into a little bundle that you can keep in a handbag and is brilliant for using when visiting friends who often do not have equipment. Most places sell them, they come in jolly colours and cost about £30.

Others have recommended that seat-adapter, Hilda. I'll see if I can find one here (in Germany).

Thanks everyone else for all the tips, too. I am now a fully-fledged Granny. The baby, little Emil, was born four weeks early. I don't know if DIL's friend will still be organising the surprise baby shower, but at least one of your problems with it is now solved - if it does take place, it will be after the baby's born!

Anyway, if this party does take place, it will be great, as the whole clique are fantastic at organising these things and have lots of ideas for games and activities and will no doubt have prepared songs and sketches for everyone's amusement.

My sister-in-law had no idea what it was and thought it was like a Tupperware party. I said "Well, sort of, except you don't have to buy anything and you have to bring a present." She had imagined that the presents were already prepared, like a wedding list, and you just chose which one you wanted to "sponsor" (i.e. pay for). Actually, that is quite a good idea. Hmmm..... I wonder...

Jacky, congrats!! Soon I'll join the fully-fledged granny brigade too. In the meanwhile to you.

Congrats JackyB, great news.

I think we have to accept that baby showers are here to stay, at least for as long as the Big Wedding generation are having the babies. As one of my friends commented recently, "well, if we taught them nothing else, they certainly know how to party"

Can't remember the company name but they turn babygros ,bibs and socks into bunches of flowers or cakes. Basic baby clothes but made into an unusual gift.

I have found the company that do the bouquets www.babyblooms.co.uk

My daughter has used this company before www.thebabyboxcompany.com, she said they send really lovely British baby shower hampers if that is of any help - I'm not really up to speed with the whole baby shower thing

This thread is nearly 3 yrs old.

I hope the baby is a happy healthy toddler by now