Community Chat

[panda1234]

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@SahmIam wrote:

I bring/give the same gift to every mom-to-be:

*A HUGE box of diapers from Costco

*A bulk size box of unscented wipes from Costco

*A GC to a local salon for a pedicure

Something for baby, something for mama. Done. If someone has hated this, I've yet to hear either directly or in-directly.

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All very useful, will not sit in a drawer.

[Lucky Charm]

I pretty much always bring a big box of diapers along with the gift--to a baby shower.    (Those, I don't wrap.)

I usually go up to the next size (1) because most everyone else will give newborn.  But boy, they grow fast and it's so nice to have the larger size when you need them!

I also buy the next size up in onesies or sleepers, too.

You can't imagine how many times people have mentioned to me later how handy it was to have the larger size because everyone else got them newborn size.

[occasionalrain]

As long as foolish people attend they will continue. No one to blame but oneself. I don't attend baby showers or baby reveal parties nor do I send a gift. They were meant for those who could not afford to provide all that was needed for a baby. That's no longer the case; they are now nothing but a gift grab.

Even Christmas and other gift giving occasions are no longer actual gift giving, it's now money or money in the form of gift cards. Apparently, givers aren't trusted to choose a gift, the recipiant wants to choose their gift themselves. It's become more like paying a bill than giving a gift.

[VaBelle35]

I think a lot of these parties/showers/reveal events are just a reason to have a party. People rarely "entertain" anymore.  It seems the only reason to have a party is to celebrate something (or sell something).

[Nomorebirthdays]

I got invited to these events all for one couple. 1. Engagement party, 2.  bridal shower, 3.destination wedding in Disney which would cost at least 2000. For us to attend. 4.wedding reception in home town. 5. Guess the sex of the baby party. 6. Baby shower. 7. 1st birthday party for child. 8. Now 5th anniversary party for the couple. All big affairs. 

I did not participate in most of these events.

[missy1]

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@Lucky Charm wrote:

I pretty much always bring a big box of diapers along with the gift--to a baby shower.    (Those, I don't wrap.)

I usually go up to the next size (1) because most everyone else will give newborn.  But boy, they grow fast and it's so nice to have the larger size when you need them!

I also buy the next size up in onesies or sleepers, too.

You can't imagine how many times people have mentioned to me later how handy it was to have the larger size because everyone else got them newborn size.

@missy1 wrote:

I would even buy a size 2 +. My kid went home from the hospital in a size 1 diaper.

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[Havarti]

@panda1234& @sunshine45

Apologies in advance for the long post!

A very dear & special friend of mine tried to have a baby for a very long time and suddenly she was not only pregnant but had successfully carried the baby full term.  She was having a baby shower and because of my job I was not going to be there for her exciting celebration (I had a job that involved travelling 100%, plus weekends were the busiest days).  I wanted to do something special for her and came up with this idea.  I did not see the idea anywhere, it was just something that came to mind that I could rework the song The Twelve Days of Christmas and turn it into a fun event for her as The Twelve Days Before Baby. 

Here is the last verse of the original Christmas song that served as my roadmap (Google it for full song):

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming
11 Pipers Piping
10 Lords a Leaping
9 Ladies Dancing
8 Maids a Milking
7 Swans a Swimming
6 Geese a Laying
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Here is my take for baby:

The Twelve Days Before Baby (or “of baby”)

On the twelfth day before baby (or “of baby”) my good friend gave to me:

12 Diapers Dripping (12 cloth diapers – back up stash for those just in case moments – baby provides the dripping later)

11 Pins for Pinning (those cute big safety pins – they often have little duckies or animal faces on them - used to close cloth diapers, but can still be used in a variety of useful ways.

10 Lambs a Leaping (little blankets or onesies that have lambs on them)

9 Rattles Rattling

8 Aides for Milking (8 baby bottles with nipples – check to see if you know the brand she prefers.  Even if she is nursing, every mom needs bottles eventually)

7 Bibs for Burping or Binkies for Baby

6 Gowns for laying (6 of those sack gowns that have a pull string/ribbon at the bottom)

5 Teething Rings (either find one teething ring with five circle teethers on it or find 5 different teething rings)

For Falling Turds - 4 rubber panties (the kind you put over cloth diapers or panites to keep from soaking out onto things and to catch any loose items that might slip out).  The card for this day/number's verse/line simply says:   For falling turds (It that is too rude for some, feel free to create your own item). The daddies usually get a good laugh out of this one!

3 French Hens (3 little stuffed animals/chickens with a cute homemade tag tied around their necks with ribbon labeling each one by name: Suzette, Jacqueline, & Yvette or even Genevieve – any female French name will do.  Ribbons must come off before baby gets to play with the toys)

2 Turtle Loves (2 turtle stuffed animals and I added red felt hearts - with a quick stitch - on each to show their love)

And a Rubber Duckie in a Bathtub

I box & wrap each day separately.  I put a card inside each box and repeated all the previous verses up to & including the current day.  It is quick & easy if you do it on the computer.  I work backwards, so I have them open the 12th day at the shower and then have them open the rest at home – starting 11 days before they think baby will arrive.  Only one box per day!

You really have to be ready to adjust it a little depending upon what you can find & how much you want to spend overall.  No one item is very expensive, but the whole thing can add up in the end.  If you find a perfect march, go with it - never worry about sizes because they will grow into it eventually.  It could be a fun activity for several friends to do together to share the cost, or a mother & daughter, etc.  Do not start this a few days before, it takes time to find all these things and some may have to be ordered online rather than find them in a store.  But it is so much fun putting it together – it really is an adventure!

Enjoy!

[sunshine45]

thanks so much @Havarti!

i just love this idea AND i can see playing around with the song a bit to include other items that the baby or mother may need.

[panda1234]

@Havarti

thanks so very much, love it.

[Lipstickdiva]

Push presents have been around for years.  I hate the idea and I hate the term but it's not new.

I was invited to a baby shower last year and the invite asked everyone to bring a package of diapers.  However, the diapers were donated to families in need that belonged to the church of the parents to be. 

The newer thing now is that people are asked to bring a book for the baby and sign it, in place of a card.

I've yet to be invited to a gender reveal party.  The same baby shower I spoke of above was also the revealing of the baby's gender.