Baby shower- people asking us what do we need????? We have no idea :S

[GlitterMum]

Hi all,
We are expecting our first lil baby boy in December and my SIL is organising our baby shower.
We have approx 40 people coming and my side of the family (5 people) have asked if we need anything bg that they can all put in for.
We have purchased all of bubs furniture for his nursery and have no idea what to tell them to buy us.
Any suggestions???????????????????

Also everyone else is asking us what we want or need. what do we say cause we need everthing

[LaDeeDa]

If you haven't got a car seat yet get them to put in for one of the capsule ones that you can take out of the car....I wish we'd bought one coz there is nothing worse than pulling up at home and having to wake a sleeping baby or sitting in the car til they wake up

[Indadhanu]

Maybe get them to buy up on wipes, baby bath, nappies, or get them to put in for some cloth nappies? Moogoo? Ummmm, maybe a bumbo? High chair? Even just som e gift vouchers for the days when you think "i wish someone had given us xyz".

[ss_storm]

Could you ask for a gift voucher instead? That way once you know what you are going to need, you can go and pick it out yourselves. Particuarly with larger, more expensive items (like a pram or something), you don't really want them getting something that you aren't going to be happy with.

Or are you able to go to a baby store with your SIL or a member of your family and point out a few things you would be interested in?

[AmandaJ]

My suggestion would be to write up a list then put it in with the invites. What ever you have thought "oh I like that", but can't afford right now put on the list and also be specific as in brand names of items ect.

Hope you have a great baby shower .

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

You could always get them to setup a gift register at a baby shop (baby bunting etc), they basically buy off a list you pick (fun for you to go looking aswell) OR they put money in and it all goes onto an account for you, then you get to go in and pick whatever you want.

The other option is some people do vouchers for nappies etc, if your going cloth there are services that you can get vouchers for they come and pick-up dirty nappies etc and wash them for you.

I didn't have a baby shower but my friend made up a basket and every time she went shopping she got something little to put in it, baby bath, wipes, ear cleaners, face washers, small bath toys things like that.

Have fun... i'm sure it will be great

[koru]

FOOD!!!!! Not having to cook with a newborn in the house will be invaluable. Instead of a 'baby shower' we had a 'freezer party' where all the guests brought a contribution for our freezer - we've got about 3 weeks worth of dinners waiting for us and I'm so glad

[feeb]

Bouncer or swing (we had 1 of each could not have survived without them)
Ergo carrier
High chair
Exersaucer (fantastic from 6 month onwards)
rocking horse (or any toy for when older)
pay for a cleaner
professional photo shoot
Gymbaroo class (can start from 6 weeks probably a bit early to get much out of it we started at 6 months and love it)

[GlitterMum]

I love the gift voucher idea and gift registry but fell rude in saying that. The invites all went out yesterday so we cant pop in a lil note either.
We are kinda prepared we have our car seat, and pram.
I was thinking of maybe saying the capsule that clips onto our pram.
We really want it but ican't afford it.
Its about $300.

I would also like a sling (I think thats what they are called) but isn't that something I can buy later???
Not too sure

[MantaRay]

Personally I found that we didn't really need all of the things that we would. I think it is a great idea to ask people to pool money towards the bigger items that you will definitely need - a cot (unless you know you will co-sleep), a pram, a car seat and definitely a sling. Some clothes to get you by in the beginning, baby wraps, bedding for the cot, nappies, wipes, bath wash, nappy cream, a change table if you don't have anything the right height already. And definitely a gift subscription to the ABA which means you'll also get the fantastic book Breastfeeding...Naturally - this is one of the most practicial gifts I got. Most other things I would wait and see how you go, and get them later.

One thing that is incredibly helpful in the early days is help. If I could go back in time, I'd ask people to provide a meal for after the baby is born, or to come around and help out for an hour or so, rather than buy a present up front. Probably more so with number 2, but it is still really helpful with your first as well.

[briggsy's girl]

big items that are good but not essential - babny bouncer (use ours daily - it vibrates and keeps her content/helps her to resettle when she stirs), a swing - i would be lost without ours - i am "single" a lot of the time as DH works away - gives me time to eat without holding DD. ummmm, if you;r interested in usung a baby carrier (sling/hugabub/ergo) they're exxy

as for other people presents - singlets/bibs/socks/sleepsuits - not all in nb sizes. you'll use them daily. large muslin wraps (we use them everynight for DD), flanellette wraps (not too many though - looks like a summer baby). or simply say "we have x,y,z - everything else we need"

if you intend to use cloth nappies over disposables, let people know in advance just in case they decide to buy nappy stuff (cos you need diff creams etc)

HTH's

[Kinderjo]

How to plan an inexpensive baby shower? How to plan a baby shower?

[didispunk]

ASK everyone you invite that it is POTLUCK.. which means to bring a plate of something.. so you dont end up with the same foods... tell people.. fruit plate.. cheese plate etc.. People dont have a problem doing that..
Go on ebay etc.. for cheap game ideas.. or google.. its briliant

[Malyna]

I recommend gift vouchers. Have a look around and see who stocks the pram/cot etc that you like then tell everyone to get you a gift voucher to that store.

If you don't like gift vouchers, ask people to get you clothing in a variety of sizes. I asked for size 0 and absolutely loved having a wardrobe that covers bubs from newborn to 6mths+. A lot of people bought clothes in 0000 and 000 and they are only in them for a few weeks at best.

I asked the folks at work to put money into a gift voucher and then put the money towards the pram I wanted, which made things a heck of a lot easier.