Unique Baby Shower Gift Ideas

By Donna Gorenflo

Still shopping for your best friend’s upcoming baby shower?

Looking for some new and exciting gift ideas?

While presents and gift items for newborns remain the most popular on the occasion of a baby shower, buying something special for that new mom or dad is also a great gesture that will be fondly remembered for years to come. Such a gift will reflect your thoughtfulness and will most certainly be appreciated.

With a little searching and browsing around on the web, you will find dozens of gift ideas that will be sure to please all members of a newborn’s family. If you prefer shopping in real-life stores, you can also discover some very practical and out-of-the-ordinary shower gifts as well. Chances are that you will be overwhelmed with the options out there.

What are some unique gift ideas for a mom to be?

Consider something that will make her day less hectic and more relaxing. Purchasing a gift certificate for her local day spa is a great way to put her mind and body at ease. Or you could add a personal touch and create your own gift certificate – how about five days of your babysitting services good for any day of the year? Put your handwritten “sitter certificate” in a basket with flowers and you are good to go!

What about some memorable gift ideas for a father to be?

Again, shopping on the web will point the way to some truly fun and clever products for new dads. Handyman types will appreciate and get some laughs out of the “Diaper Duty Apron,” a wearable pouch that comes equipped with baby wipes, petroleum jelly, and a nap schedule. The equally useful daddy diaper bag, the “The Papa Pack” features separate pockets for bottles, diapers, and wipes. If dad needs a crash course in baby-caring skills, consider “The Goodfather” CD-ROM by Dr. Moz. This CD includes hundreds of interactive lessons on caring for newborns throughout their early stages. It also features a baby-card maker and name book with 15,000 names. “The Goodfather” can also come in handy for grandfathers who need a refresher course in baby-care basics.

With a new baby to care for, new moms and dads might be too busy to spend very much time in the kitchen preparing meals. This is precisely why a gift of frozen dinners can come in especially handy. Find out their favorite dishes and stock up their freezer. Maybe you will even get invited over for TV dinners!

You can also find great gift ideas for brothers and sisters who are welcoming a new sibling into their family. “Big Brother” or “Big Sister” kits are neat gift bags that contain toys as well a greeting cards for the newest member of the family. When shopping for shower gifts, remember that toys for children up to six months old can also make for great gifts. One doesn’t always have to buy newborn items. For instance plush animals and chunky puzzles by Melissa & Doug are wonderful playthings, and all of their toys are painted with lead-free, non-toxic paints. Toys for an older baby or child often get forgotten by shoppers but they make great alternative gift ideas that mom and dad will appreciate just the same.

About the Author: Bama Babies & Birthdays is a unique site dedicated to help you make better gift choices. A sneak peak will expose you to a myriad of baby shower favors and baby gift options.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=180172&ca=Parenting

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The Best Baby Showers Start With The Best Baby Shower Invitations

By John Paterno

Hosting a baby shower for a favorite female in your life is one of the best gifts that anyone can give to a mom-to-be. Bringing friends and family of the expecting parents together to celebrate the upcoming event while “showering” gifts upon the pregnant one, assembling fine eats and beverages for all to enjoy, and adorning the party room with decorations is a task worthy of it’s own party- and it all begins with the best baby shower invitations.

The days of pre-packaged baby shower invitations that require the necessary information be filled-in by hand are gone, as the latest rage is having your baby shower invitations printed by a professional company. By offering unique designs, eye-catching fonts and colorful graphics (as well as the more classic styles), printing companies can create an invitation that’s as original as your guest of honor and her upcoming new arrival!

“Jack and Jill” baby showers in which couples are invited to attend are growing in popularity, as more and more dads-in-training want to be a part of baby activities, and want their friends to be there, too. An introductory title containing the term “Jack and Jill”, or a simple tag line at the bottom (like “Couples Welcome!”) will get your point across nicely.

Be sure to order a few extra invitations as keepsakes for the new mom, anyone involved with the planning, and yourself. This significant keepsake will make a great page in your scrapbook.

When to Order Baby Shower Invitations- A baby shower is typically held 1 to 2 months before the baby’s due date, and the invitations should go out in the mail about three weeks before the party date to give guests enough time to make the necessary arrangements to attend. Leave yourself a week to address the envelopes and another 10 days for your order to be processed, shipped and arrive at your home. Ordering the invitations about 6 weeks before the shower date allows you plenty of time to coordinate the event.

Other Tips for Hosting the Best Baby Shower- The best baby showers are the ones in which guests leave with a smile on their face. A few games and interesting activities that can serve as insight for the soon to be mom are usually a lot of fun for everyone. Have shower guests write some helpful guidance in an “Advice Book”, a guest book-type of souvenir for the guest of honor that will be filled with information for surviving parenthood. “Name that Baby Food!” is a favorite game, where all guests are blindfolded and given a sample of the tasteless, jarred food and have to guess what it is. Don’t forget to pass out baby shower favors as a thank-you and keepsake for this festive day.

About the Author: John Paterno recommends that you visit http://babyshere.com/babshowin.html for more information on Baby Shower Invitations.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=90710&ca=Family+Concerns

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Coed Baby Showers And Baby Shower Gift Ideas

By Mandie Klein

Traditions are changing as more men are getting involved in parenting, and even before the babies are brought in by the stork, the men are already doing their daddy roles. So there are some adjustments to observe when you are giving a baby shower and baby shower gift to match.

Coed Baby Showers?

The tradition baby shower was hosted for the expectant mom having her first baby. It is usually held on the 8th month or third trimester of the pregnancy. This is practical and expectant moms feel like moms-to-be when their baby bumps are very pronounced. But today’s baby showers are going coed. Daddies-to-be are also excited to get into the act and are equally eager to gush over those gaily wrapped baby shower gift packages.

If you are hosting a coed baby shower for an expectant couple, discuss the shower details with them. Let them go over your guest list. Aside from the usual bumper crop of guests of best friends and family, make sure that the grandparents on both sides are invited as special guests to the baby shower. Ask them if they are registered for any baby gear so you can include the baby shower gift suggestions in your invitation

The advantage of also having coed baby showers is providing the expectant couple time to enjoy the celebration together and with their dearest and closest friends and family members.

Invitations, Food, Gifts, and Favors

You can collaborate with the expectant couple or surprise them with the party. But it’s best to let the couple into the plans so you’ll know what to prepare and the couple will know what to expect. You can get more ideas for your party theme, invitation, menu, and games.

It is still nice to have a simple invitation indicating the date, time, and place of the baby shower. An RSVP is required so you will know how many to expect for the party. If the couple are registered for baby gear you can guide the guests in the selection of their baby shower gift surprises.

Since you are the one hosting the baby shower and you’ll be inviting most of your closest friends you can recommend some baby shower gift items for those who do not have the time to shop. Suggest baby gift baskets and if you already know the gender of the baby recommend pink or blue wagons filled with practical baby things.

Cook the usual party favorites for the brunch or tea party and don’t forget to place more emphasis on fruits and vegetables. Ask the expectant mother about her preferences or food allergies and make sure that all meats and fish are thoroughly cooked.

For your shower favors, opt for the beautifully wrapped sunflower seeds your guests can plant when they get home. Another must-have party favor is the elegant champagne bucket timer, which would surely tickle everybody’s interests.

Meaningful Games

Give the expectant couple a special game like 20 wishes (depending on the number of guests). It would be fun if you have the same number of beautiful wands (you can make these yourself) for the guests who will make a wish for the baby. This would make a nice warm up before the baby shower gift packs are unwrapped before the party happily winds up for the day.

About the Author: Thinking of baby shower gift items, unique baby gift ideas, and personalized baby gift sets? Visit BabyLandGifts.com for great gifts items within budget.

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7 Original Baby Shower Gifts

By Cora L

Are you hounded by the fear that you have purchased the same thing as at least one other person when heading to a baby shower? Even when using a registry duplicates happen & returns are bound to follow. Finding unique baby gifts might take a bit more time than ordering online from the registry, but the payoff is usually well worth it.

Here are 7 ideas for creative baby shower gifts that will keep those dreaded duplicate embarrassment moments from happening again!

1. Be creative. Think outside the box — the big box that is. Go to a local craft fair or area craft co-op and find items that have that one of a kind feel. Burp cloths that have been lined with ribbon and/or embroidered with the baby’s name or the family last name have a personal touch that shows time and thought. If you are a truly creative type, knit the baby a tiny hat or booties, crochet a baby blanket, create a diaper cake from infant diapers and decorate it with wrist rattles, teething rings, baby spoons and such.

2. Personalize it. Personalization is usually a good idea with baby gifts. Monograms might be too stuffy for some, but most people will enjoy the personalization. It can even be silly or remind the person of a moment shared. Having the word “back” or “front” monogrammed on an item in the appropriate place allows giggles during those many outfit changes (plus this gives instructions to follow for those sleep deprived days and nights).

3. Designer diaper bags. The options out there now give beautiful designs for moms and practical non-flowery options for dads. These bags have everything from fold out diaper-changing stations, to bottle warmers and milk storage coolers. Large or small, there are designs to please any mom-to-be as well as any shopper.

4. Be silly. Get something useful but amusing. The name on Boudreaux’s Butt Paste will create a peal of laughter in the room, but it is also great for after the baby comes. Try facemasks to protect from all those stinky diapers, or the teepees available for little boy diaper changes.

5. Stock up on Favorite Food. A baby shower gift that is bound to please is a meal for the freezer. Recipes for favorite dishes that can be frozen ahead of time are very useful for the mom-to-be. Gift certificates to meal prep places are also a good idea, especially if one isn’t very crafty in the kitchen.

6. Unique Outfits. If clothing is what you would really like to purchase go for some of the larger outfits. Thinking in terms of season and potential size might be a little challenging, but the payoff comes when those happy parents have something to put the baby in once it outgrows the adorable tiny newborn sets that everyone else buys.

7. Photography. A little bit of research can have great results when considering a photography session as a gift. The chain stores offer lots of deals, but local photographers may offer a variety of unique options for a family photo or individual shots of the tiny new arrival. There may also be packages available that allow pregnancy photos and another sitting later with the newborn.

About the Author: Cora Lee is the owner of BlissLiving, widely known for a huge selection of unique baby shower gifts including personalized baby gifts, and designer diaper bags. BlissLiving has been featured in US Weekly, People Magazine’s Celebrity Babies Blog, and Pregnancy Magazine.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=404035&ca=Arts+and+Crafts

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