Anne-Charlotte PasseraWhen it comes to baby shower gifts, it can become confusing as to what to buy, especially when you haven’t had a baby of your own.
The arrival of a baby can be stressful for new parents, especially for the financial aspect. The cost of diapers, clothing, and childcare equipment adds up quickly.
New parents will however put a list together of gifts they would like to get for the baby shower. This list might seem long and overwhelming, but generally, not everything on the list will be necessary. For ideas of what is and what isn’t, check out our article on the Baby Essentials.
Generally, baby showers take place in the middle of Spring or Summer. According to some recent surveys, July is the month where there are more births.
However, oddly enough, September 23rd is when 5% of babies are born more compared to the rest of the year. Why is that? New Year’s Eve. September 23rd falls exactly 265 days after New Year’s Eve where people are cheerful and tend to forget about using protection (or not).
In the 17th century, there were fewer births 9 months after Lent followed by the Catholics. A period during which sexual intercourse was forbidden.
On average, people spend between $50-$75 on baby shower gifts. Here are some ideas on how to spend less than $50 on those gifts while keeping them useful and practical.
Tips on buying baby shower gifts
Nowadays, anything baby-related costs a lot. So if your budget is less than $50, it won’t take you very far and you might feel a little embarrassed just getting 1 gift. Don’t worry, there are ways to provide a great gift without feeling cheap.
- Try to create a theme with your gifts, mixing one “big” item with a small one. This will simplify your life.
It could be items for the bath, bedtime, playtime, mealtime. Whatever you like best and whatever can fit in your budget. You can also mix something new with something used or useful.
- Leave the hot ticket items for the close family or grand-parents.
The big items such as stroller, car seat, a crib is a personal choice. Parents might even change their minds when it comes to the model.
- Ask co-workers or friends to chip in in order to get a bigger gift.
- If it’s clothing you are planning on offering, always buy a size or two bigger and don’t forget about the season.
Say the baby is born in September. If you buy shorts, buy size 9-12 months. That way, the baby might start to wear them in the Spring (depending on its size) or at least comfortably fit in them in the Summer.
We tend to buy clothing for birth but babies outgrow them fast. Besides, no one knows how much the baby will weigh at birth.
Always think of longevity and durability when it comes to buying baby shower gifts.
- Choose something that even if the parents get two of, it will still be useful.
- Avoid unnecessary packaging.
Instead of wasting money on a gift bag or wrapping that will just go to waste, make the packaging part of the gift. You can get a small basket or use a cloth diaper bag and put the gifts inside.
Baby shower gifts ideas
Recently, I was in charge of getting the baby shower gifts from my work team for one of our colleagues. I got everything from one store: Mère Hélène, in Montreal. It’s actually close to my house so that was practical. I still spent two hours there, trying to figure out which gifts to get that would fit in our budget. Although I had an idea of what to get, it might not be your case. The staff in the store is very helpful, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask them. They’ll gladly help you out.
Of course, you can also order online from the store, right HERE. It turns out, that most of the items I got were from the same company La Petite Ourse. Recently, I also noticed that this brand is starting to be carried in my local pharmacy. What a step up! I’m glad to see that reusable baby products are on the rise again. I wish it had been the case when I had my kids. Looking and finding access to cloth diapers was a pain in the buttocks!
So let’s take a look at some ideas of baby shower gifts that when grouped can cost less than $50. Some might repeat themselves from one category to another.
For example, books can be practical for bedtime before putting the baby to sleep. Sensory books are useful for playtime or when you are doing an outing and need to keep the baby patient while waiting on something.
Gifts for the bath
- Basket
Find a basket to put your gist in them. Afterward, the basket can be used to store toys, washcloths, onesies, books, baby products, or to actually put a plant in it.
- Baby hooded towel
They are usually one size fits all, so the baby will use them for a while. Also, the hooded towel can be used at the beach or the pool. Pair it with a bath toy, a cloth diaper, or a baby shampoo.
- Shower gel or cleansing gel
I personally liked the brand Mustela. It’s a bit expensive when you have to buy it for yourself but it makes for a nice gift. Other brands do exist, so it’s a personal choice if you are to gift it. Pair it with a hooded towel or washcloth.
- Wash cloths
Reusable washcloths are practical every day of the week. From cleaning the baby or washing off food from its face. They always come in handy. Pair it with baby cosmetic products such as lotion, gel, or shampoo.
- Tub
Tubs are generally not too expensive. However, I suggest only getting one if it’s from the baby shower wish list as it’s a personal choice. To go along with it, you can either add a washcloth, a bath toy, hooded towel, or cleansing gel, etc. Use the tub as the packaging.
- Bath toys
Bath toys are fun and keep the baby entertained. Forget about the rubber ducky. If it has a hole at the bottom, don’t buy it. The hole will collect mildew and it’s pretty nasty. I’m unsure if they now make some without it. Instead, look for puzzles that cling to the tub surface or hand gloves for the bath that can be used as puppets. Pair it with a hooded towel.
Changing time gifts
- Wash cloth
- Cloth diaper with liner
You might not like cloth diapers but the new parents might actually want to try. Just get one. It will come in handy one day if the parents run out of diapers or they don’t fit anymore. The beauty of cloth diapers is that they are generally a one size fits all and can go up to ages 2 or 3!
Add a roll of diaper liner to go along with it or extra inserts. It’s practical because then, all you have to do is pick up the liner and flush it down the toilet. This is great when the baby has done a number 2, you won’t get your hands as dirty as much and it protects the cloth diaper.
- Diaper bag for cloth diapers
Bags for cloth diapers are practical to have to keep the soiled diapers together before putting them in the wash. They make good traveling companions as well and most daycares nowadays will accept them. Also, they can be used at the pool to put a towel and swim cloth diapers in and a change of clothes. Pair it with a cloth diaper, washcloths, or diaper rash cream.
Also, you can use the diaper bag as the packaging for your gifts.
- Diaper rash cream
Only buy a small cream. Usually, with cloth diapers, the baby won’t really get diaper rash but it can come in handy nonetheless. It’s usually not very expensive and can be a nice little extra in your gift package.
Bedtime gifts
- Book collection
As already mentioned, books are great to have. I had the whole collection of Dr. Seuss, the Little Prince, and then a fairy tales book. It doesn’t matter what book you get. Storytime before bed is always a great moment for a parent to have with their baby and it’s not something we tend to buy as gifts. Pair it with a pyjama.
- Two-way zip pyjama
Two-way zipper pyjama are great to have as it makes changing the baby in the middle of the night a lot more practical. This way, mommy or daddy have a better chance of not waking completely the baby if they have to do a quick change. Pair it with a cloth diaper or a onesie.
- Crib sheet
Pick one made from cotton or bamboo. They are the best as they are more breathable. Pair it with a book or a pyjama.
- Blanket
As parents, we can never get enough blankets. Pick a good size one. The muslin ones are good to have to cover the baby with during a nap, while breastfeeding, in the store when the AC is on, or in the stroller. They can also be used as burp cloths. Pair it with a sensory toy.
Playtime gifts
- Stacking cubes
Stacking cubes made from cardboard are great for sensory and motricity activity. It’s not just about stacking. The cubes also tell a story or have numbers, letters, animals. Pair it with another sensory toy or a clothing item.
- Romper
Something to roll or crawl in. Pair it with slippers, a onesie, a sensory toy, or a book.
- Sensory books or toys
Anything that changes to the touch and makes a sound when shaken. Avoid anything that requires a battery and with flashing lights, it’s not necessary.
- Flash Cards
There is no age to start using flashcards. They are practical to have to keep the baby entertained at home or during an outing such as the restaurant. At first, they’ll see color but then they will be able to differentiate the forms. Also, they don’t take up too much space in a bag which is a bonus. Pair it with a sensory toy.
- Slippers
It’s not entirely a necessity but good to have when the baby starts standing up and has to “walk” on tiles for example. They are always better off being barefoot at first to walk but slippers can come in handy. If you don’t want to get slippers, buy socks instead. However, buy older size as babies tend to be in pyjamas with feet which makes socks obsolete. Pair it with socks or pants.
- Onesies
Long sleeve onesies for colder days and short sleeve onesies for warmer days. Get different sizes and don’t forget to take into consideration the season. Babies always need onesies until at least 12 to 18 months. Pair it with a blanket, pyjama, or pants.
- Grow with me pants or shorts
The most practical item you can buy. Since we never know how big the baby will be at birth, it’s hard to buy clothes. With grow with me pants or shorts, the baby will be able to grow while still wearing the same pants or shorts. It’s a similar principle used with cloth diapers. All you have to do is unroll the pants as the baby grows. Different options exist, but some can go from birth to 2 years old. It’s a good investment. Pair it up with a onesie.
- Cloth diaper for swimming pool
It won’t keep the pee-pee in but will keep the poop in. The best part is that the baby can wear it over and over again. Get a size that is 6 months and up. There is not much sense in getting one for a younger age because the swimming with baby lessons don’t start before then. Pair it with a hooded towel.
Gifts for outings
- Hat
Hats always come in handy but boy does a baby’s head grows fast! Pick a decent size so that the baby can grow in it and if you know it will go out a lot.
- Bowl on the go with lid
Always bring snacks for toddlers to munch. A bowl with a lid will help keep everything in check.
- Flashcards for restaurant to keep the little one entertained
- Slippers
- Bottle on the go
- Spill-proof cups with handles
- Foldable pail
Parents are going to be spending a lot of time at the playground. We don’t always think about that when buying baby shower gifts. A foldable pail is practical because since it folds, it won’t take up too much space in the stroller or the bag. Also, it’s easy to bring along on an airplane for a beach destination. Of course, the baby won’t use it right away, but at least mom and dad will have it on hand. You can use the pail as part of the packaging for your gift. Pair it with sun cream, a blanket, slippers, or pants.
- Blanket
- Sun cream
Sun cream can be great to complement a gift and will be useful when the baby starts going outside.
- Cloth diaper bag
- Sensory Book
Feeding time gifts
- Bib
It’s not a complete necessity but can come in handy. DON’T BUY SMALL BIBS. Babies grow out of them super fast. Think longevity. When I say it’s not a necessity it’s because we can use a dishtowel instead as a bib, at least when they get older. Pair it with feeding utensils.
- Cup, plate, utensils
Obviously, this will come in handy starting around 6 months old, but it’s nice to have on hand. Pick something that is made from durable material, can clean easily ad won’t break.
We don’t always think of it because it’s not cute, but products to wash baby clothes and cloth diapers are actually really useful, durable and the parents will always have use for them.
These items are:
- Soap nuts
- Tea tree oil
- White vinegar
- Lavender oil
Extra baby shower gifts tips
As already mentioned, you could buy something new and pair it with something used. Perhaps you have kids of your own and have leftover items that could be passed down.
Go to garage sales and find something inexpensive yet useful you could use to package your gift.
If you want something new but can’t afford the prices of a children’s specialized store, head on over to Ikea. Yes, I said it. Ikea has some great deals and most of their products are of good quality. This is where I personally got my high chair for both of my kids for $20.
Of course, it’s a personal choice but if you are close to the baby’s parents, maybe you could suggest it. Honestly, no one should spend more than that in a high chair. The kid is not going to spend that much time in it. Ikea also has some decent prices for crib sheets and also potties. That’s where I got mine. Their model doesn’t take too much space and I started putting my Blondie Bear on it when he was 6 months old. Again, it’s a personal choice, but having more than one potty could still be useful.
If you are on a tight budget, think about buying the gifts over the span of a few months or wait for when the items go on sale. Make your own baby shower gifts Wishlist and add up the cost of the items. From there, you’ll get a bigger picture of what you’d like to buy versus what you can afford.
The pairings mentioned above are merely a suggestion. Feel free to pair the items as you please.
Have fun shopping!
