[lizziep]

So I don't have a lot of money right now- but I want to do something nice for my sister in law. She's having a baby shower next saturday and I am stumped for good ideas for a gift that is nice but not expensive.

Any suggestions?

Mommies- is there anything that you wish someone would have thought of and didn't? Anything you needed right away and didn't have?

[chickybird]

Get pictures of the two of you when you were babies/kids and put together a collage of them. With a cute enough picture frame, it's a great piece of wall art for the new nursery....

[Chelby29]

I'm practical beyond practical. If your sister is, she would love you for buying a big box of diapers.

Something that was not practical that I loved was a beautiful, embroidered bib. He wore it when we were going somewhere nice.

[SunshineCA]

I'm going with diapers as well. Go with a large pack in medium. Buy something for the Mom as well. Believe me, we love it. Even if it's just a set that includes lotions, body wash, etc.

[CountingDown]

A photo album, coupon for future babysitting, a baby's first Christmas ornament, home-made anything - booties, photo frame, book, etc.

Personalized is GOOD! Put your thinking cap on and be creative.

[SunshineCA]

A coupon to do housekeeping and cooking.

[chickybird]

maybe a gift certificate to a restaurant? Then she doesn't have to cook one night.

[Chelby29]

Really good hand lotion. My hands bled I washed them so many times after he was born!

[SunshineCA]

A certificate to run errands.

[harrismm]

Hand Sanitizers for guests to use.....Tie a fleece blanket???

[SunshineCA]

Cash never hurts.

[aphil]

I have three children. Here are my ideas:

~PRACTICAL items. I recently attended a baby shower, and the mother got a $60 newborn sized pink tutu, a big ceramic pig (piggy bank) from an upscale store, and many other expensive but rather useless items. Get items that the mom will really need AFTER the baby is born.

*diapers in a size or two larger than newborn size
*baby Tylenol
*Ora-Jel
*Hyland's Teething Tablets
*Johnson's Vapor Bath (for when they have colds)
*Johnson's Vapor Cream (like a diluted baby friendly version of Vicks Vaporub)
*Diaper rash ointment
*baby wipes
*burp cloths
*bottle brush
*Dreft laundry detergent or All Baby or some other infant laundry detergent
*Totally Toddler stain remover spray (gets stains out of ANYTHING)
*nursing pads and lanolin cream if she is going to be nursing the baby
*a book such as "What To Expect The First Year" or a similar title

If you are more creative, you can find an old basket around the house, and get a basket wrap kit in the craft section of the store. Fill the basket with filler, and maybe put in a box or two of baby cereal, a few jars of baby food, a set of baby spoons, etc. and cover it with the basket kit and a bow.

You can also make a basket for the mom to take to the hospital for the birth: warm spa style socks for her, a magazine for her to read while in the hospital, a hand held massager so that the father or someone can massage her lower back, etc. if she has back labor, a bag of lemon drops to suck on (since many don't allow the mother to eat until afte delivery), etc.

There are lots of things you can do.

[lizziep]

thanks for the suggestions everyone!! I like the idea of doing something for HER - and buying practical.
I think I'll go with a bunch of consumables because I hate buying STUFF for people- so bath products, diapers, etc. I never thought about medicines, teething stuff, etc. great idea.
I am thinking maybe once things are settled and we have some more money a nice gift certificate for photos would be cool.

Thanks again everyone!

[zoritsa]

If you want to do something practical,yet creative,you can always make a diaper cake.There's a few different ways to make them,and many instructions on-line.

[marbear24]

Blankets are good. Can you knit or crochet? Yarms pretty cheap if you have the time to put into it.