Go-To Baby Gift?

[winnied]

The first of my close circle of friends is having a baby in May. I want to get her something nice and between $100 - $150. I What are your go-to gifts for a new mom you're close to?

[havarti]

Does she have a registry? For that budget I would much rather someone bought something I actually need off the registry.

[tine]

I agree, for that budget I would get something off the registry. Maybe something from the registry then something more personal/thoughtful.

We love this blanket that my aunt bought DS and you can personalize it!
www.potterybarnkids.com/products/chamois-stroller-blanket/?pkey=bbaby-essentials-blankets&

[Deleted]

rnp and/or pnp..soo useful

[shortstax]

I'm a big proponent of a large gift card and then something small that's personal to my friend/relative.

I figure, they'll get a lot of stuff but inevitably there will be a zillion runs to target or BRU after the fact.

[DarcyLongfellow]

Yep, registry.

She most likely has picked out exactly what she wants as far as swings, bouncy seats, etc. I'd get something large like that, then also something smaller that you can make more personal.

I love monogramed things. If she's telling the name ahead of time, that would be fun.

[jinkies]

For off registry ideas:

At my shower, someone gave me a gift card for a mommy and me swim class at the Y. I thought it was a great idea. Any mommy-and-baby class type thing would be good. (besides swim, there are also mommy and me yoga classes, or Little Gym type places).

I also got a GC to a portrait place (like Portrait Innovations or something). We do not have the funds for a $300 photog session at our house, so I was really appreciative that I could still get professional photos with their GC.

If she's a book person, maybe a little library collection of some of your favorite childhood books or just classics? I LOVE books, and really appreciated any that I got at my shower.

If there is anything she loves (a particular tv show or movie; a band; math, science or techy stuff) I GUARANTEE that there is some website out there selling baby stuff geared to that interest. So you could find something that's very "her" to go with a registry item or GC.

[mbcdefg]

In addition to a registry gift at the baby shower, I've given:

- Aden and Anais swaddle blankets and bibs
- clothes
- baby books
- something specific to the family's interests (maybe a little sports jersey, or a shirt with a dog on it if they have a dog)
- gift card to a local supermarket or takeout restaurant
- a full meal ... salad or cut veggies, a main course (pasta, taco fixins, carved roast chicken), and a dessert, plus healthy snacks that can be eaten with one hand. A breakfast item if I get around to making it (muffins, quiche). And booze.
- something for an older sibling (usually a book), and maybe even treats for a pet

MH built a toy chest for our close friends when they had their first baby, and I filled it with the baby shower gifts. They were really appreciative of the gesture.

[magdala]

For my best friend, I got her a carriage with each child. She used it constantly with her first that it was well worn when her second was due 5 years late.
For my SIL, I got her a car seat.

A few weeks after each child was born, I would show up in the afternoon with a fully cooked dinner and shower gel. I would "steal" the baby (children) for snuggles for a couple of hours so that they could have a little peace and quiet for a shower, a nap or what have you.

[tacosforlife]

REGISTRY. ALWAYS THE REGISTRY.

Exceptions are acceptable if you a) know the individual well enough to come up with a personalized gift based on her interests and tastes rather thab the advice of Internet strangers, or b) you have had a child and there is some miracle item that nobody told you about but that made your first 6 months infinitely better.

[arch01]

For that budget, registry.

For a filler item-I always do a sick baby/toddler basket. Thermometer, various meds, reusable ice packs, etc.

[irene adler]

The only time I ever go off registry, I go with an oversized hooded towel with the baby's initial on it. Every mom I've ever made one for has absolutely loved having something larger and thicker In addition to the standard size hooded baby towel you find in most stores.

[Deleted]

Registry

Baby stuff is so expensive and there are so many things the baby needs, I really don't have room for much other baby stuff anyway.

If they have no registry, a nice card and a gift card to Target.

[v]

Registry.

If not, or if it is a friend whose child I want to have a keepsake from me, Tiffany bunny/elephant bank, always. I've bought so many of those things.

[winnied]

Thanks, everyone! I usually buy off registry but wanted this to be special because we're close. I think I'll get something off registry and then classes to a baby and me yoga class since that's an interest of my friend.

[audette]

Weird. I swear I posted a response to this earlier.


Anyways, my standard gift for a new baby is some onesies and a handknit baby hat. For folks I'm not too close to. For the budget OP posted, it'd be something larger from the registry, or a giftcard to that store, and one or two handknit items...

[imojoebunny]

Ergo or whatever the latest hip version of it is. I would not have survived my DS without an Ergo. He was in that thing for an hour a day until he was 4. I would give that to a friend.

I just gave DH's coworker $100 gift card because her registry (and most Babies r us registries) are pretty much crap.

[heygrey]

if she has any interest in babywearing, an ergo or tula and the appropriate infant insert. (ergo with insert would be in your price range, tula would be closer to $200, i think.) i know a lot of people who are interested in the idea, but when it comes down to their personal budgeting that ~$150 will get spent on something they will more certainly need.

if it's a really good friend i'll tell her that i looked at her registry, but ask if there are one or two things that she REALLY wants so i can get that. i'm not huge on surprises if i can get something i know the recipient will love.

otherwise i buy something small like a book and wrap a generous gift card with it.

[shopmore]

I stupidly spent way too much in what I thought was a nice gift (Armani Junior diaper bag) and I have never even seen the couple use it at all.

[sillygoosegirl]

Normally, I don't spend that much, but if I was going to, I'd probably get a ring sling. Probably Maya or Little Frog since I have experience with those brands and like them.

[Emerald1486]

For that budget, I think the registry is a good place to start.

However, my go to gift is the "baby basket". I load it up with things new parents will need but not think to get till its needed. I know I was really grateful someone thought to get me them. And my friend was happy when I gave her a basket of stuff

Hylands Teething Tablets/Gel
Gripe water/gas drops
Hand sanitizer
Travel baby wipes
Infant Tylenol
Dirty diaper bags
Saline drops
Diaper rash cream
Vaseline
Infant vicks vaporub
Thermometer covers