Babys First Year

Traditionally, baby shower gifts consisted of clothes, carriage, strollers, car seats, cribs, monitors, mobiles, and all of the accoutrements needed to welcome baby home. There are, however, unique baby shower gifts which have sentimental value; and for which you can purchase online (just in case you might run out of ideas) for your next baby shower.

The International Star Registry has been in existence since 1979, and is the place to go if you wish to have a star named for the baby-to-be. Of course, it would require knowing the baby’s name ahead of time. But instead, you can order their gift certificate so that the parents can have the pleasure of adding their baby’s name to the celestial heavens. In lieu of the gift certificate, you can purchase their star bear, which comes in pink and blue, along with a beautiful 11″ X 8″ full color certificate for the parents to personalize with the star name and date, and an 11″ X 8″ sky chart containing the constellation and the location circled in red where the star is in the sky. This is one unique gift that will last a lifetime.

Another unique gift would be a large basket or Tupperware container in which all of the items a baby needs, but would not be given as a single gift, are included. Certainly, the basket or Tupperware could be used for holding stuffed animals or toys; but initially it could be filled with pampers; bottles; bibs; baby wipes; lotions; stuffed animals; diaper bag; pacifiers; books, and the like. With so many things a newborn needs, you can be assured you will fill up the basket or Tupperware without worry.

Whatever unique baby shower gifts you purchase, and with so many wonderful ideas available to help you decide, you are sure to come up with an idea that no one else has thought of, and for which the mom-to-be will be happy you took the time and care to find that one special gift.

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Baby Shower Ideas

Throwing a baby shower for grandma could be a great way to commemorate the excitement of becoming a grandmother for the first time. There’s nothing like spoiling the little cuties for a day and then sending them home to their parents!

But while you have them, you will need to be prepared for them. This means diapers, bottles, safety devices, gates, and more would be great gifts for a grandma baby shower. And a lot of times, grandmothers go overboard buying gifts for the baby without putting aside any money to properly equip themselves.

You might not want to have a separate grandma baby shower, but you could always include her as a special guest of honor in the baby shower for mom. You also might want to acknowledge the grandmother-to-be during the regular shower with grandmother gifts or a thank you.

Grandma baby showers are a great idea for co-workers or friends to throw. Many times these are people who are a major part of the grandmothers life, but who don’t really know the parents-to-be. Even so, they still want to honor their friends who are about to have a new addition to their family!

Baby showers for grandmothers can take place anywhere at anytime, since it’s not necessary to worry about accommodating a very pregnant woman. Office parties are nice since they don’t have to be extravagant and don‘t require anyone to change their plans. Even a small dinner party is nice for close friends.

Gifts don’t necessarily need to be exchanged, but they are always welcomed. Grandma may not need all of the same things that the parents do, but they do need to have supplies on hand for when the baby comes to visit. It’s not necessary to buy lots of cute baby clothes, though extra onesies and jammies are great for unexpected messes. These would all make nice grandmother gifts.

Items that grandmother will need most are:

• Crib
• Bassinets
• High chair
• Bottles and feeding supplies
• Diapering supplies: diapers, wipes, powder, cotton balls, diaper cream
• First Aid: diapers, disinfectant, tweezers
• Wash cloths
• Extra bibs, burping cloths, onesies, hats and gloves
• Bathing supplies (soap, shampoo, lotion)
• Tylenol and vitamins
• Baby blankets
• Nail clippers, thermometer
• Vaseline
• Teething toys
• Safety gates, locks for cabinets and drawers, outlet covers

Other items Grandma may need:

• Umbrella Stroller
• Extra car seat
• Bouncer seat
• Baby swing
• Toys!
• Music
• Books (for baby and Grandma)
• Videos

Grandmothers will also love to receive gifts such as personalized shirts and blankets. “I love my Grandma” picture frames a perfect gift that can be purchased just about anywhere. It will make a great start to the photo gallery that begins to blossom in the living room!

Other nice gifts include family tree items. And don’t forget about gag gifts! If the grandmother-to-be has a good sense of humor you could give them stuff to insinuate that being a grandmother makes her (gasp!) old! (Even though we all know that’s just not true!)

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy is owner of How to Plan a Baby Shower where you will find further tips on baby showers and baby shower games. Randy owned and operated a very successful storefront/mailorder business from 1988 to 2003. Currently full time owner/operator of several online businesses.

Baby Shower Ideas

Great baby shower decorations are more about using your imagination than your pocketbook! You can create a wonderful party mood with simple, high-impact arrangements. Here you’ll find details some of the best ideas for baby shower decorations.

Use balloons artfully

Balloons make it feel like a party! Always have balloons at your events. Here’s a money-saver tip: your local 99¢ store will usually have balloons at a much lower price than most party stores.

A basic use of balloons is to create color spots around the room or area where you’re holding the baby shower. Tie a bunch of helium balloons to an anchor. Use baby items like booties, soft toys or baby bottles filled with water as anchors. Always use an odd number of balloons in a bunch.

If you have multiple tables, get a few baby items like shampoo, lotions, bottles, diaper packs, wipes, refill packs, baby formula packs, soft toys, etc and place them in the center of each table. Tie a bunch of balloons to them. Each table now has a color spot.

If you have large gifts like strollers or cribs, tie balloons to them to create a special look. Choose balloon colors according to the sex of the baby. If that’s not known, use both pink and blue balloons.

Use balloons to decorate mommy’s chair. Tie balloons in bunches to her “throne” and treat her like royalty! Also add streamers, satin bows and ribbons to her chair to give it a special look.

If you’re using a specific table for gifts, make sure it has several balloon bunches floating over it. That helps to create a focal point for the gifts.

How to use tubs and umbrellas for baby showers decorations

Use baby tubs as a punch bowl. Get one of those tubs that look like a whale. Fill it with clear punch and put in a small rubber ducky. The tub makes a wonderful present for mom-to-be after the shower.

Here’s another way to use the tub: fill it with individually wrapped presents. That can include diapers, shampoos, lotions, washcloths, etc. For an added effect, put some balloons into the tub too – they will look like floating bubbles! And fix a rubber ducky atop one of the balloons using ribbons.

You know what’s a perfect fit for any baby shower? Umbrellas. After all, it’s a shower, right? Here’s how you can use them.

Collect several different umbrellas from your home. Open them up, fix streamers in various colors (not just pink and blue, though those are fine too) to the umbrellas. Next, fix the umbrellas so that they hang upside down from the ceiling, and the colored streamers flutter above your heads. This makes a great sight!

You can also fill up umbrellas with balloons or even yarn in pastel colors. Hang them upside down at strategic points.

More baby shower decorations that enchant

Here’s a centerpiece idea that’s perfect for these celebrations: baby shower cakes. Not sure what those are? Baby shower cakes (also called diaper cakes) are essentially diapers arranged in multiple tiers to look like a cake, with many small baby products tucked into them. They’re very eye-catching gifts, just right for baby showers. Place one on a table as a centerpiece.

Here’s how to make your tables more appealing. Place small boxes of different heights on them. Drape baby items like receiving blankets over them. Your tables will end up with a more interesting look and feel thanks to varying levels.

Spice up your tables by sprinkling confetti on them that says “It’s a boy” or “It’s a girl.” If the baby’s sex is not known, use both.

Instead of piling gifts onto tables, try using a large item like a stroller or a baby crib to display gifts. This is just right for a baby shower!

Another tried and tested idea is to string a clothesline across the room. Use wooden clothespins to hang cute baby items from the line. Use diapers, baby clothing, booties, socks, bibs, hats, toys and other such items. These products make excellent gifts to mom-to-be after the shower.

Alternatively, hang disposable diapers on the clothesline and using permanent marker, spell out the baby’s name. If the name is not known yet, just write ‘BABY SHOWER’. Clotheslines with names and baby items on them are quite common at showers, yet they invariably become a conversation piece – they look quite cute!

If you’re having a baby shower around Christmas, try this one. Buy an artificial Christmas tree and decorate it with little baby items. Like diapers, clothes, booties, socks, small bottles of lotions and so on. Use twinkle lights as well. This is a wonderful centerpiece for the room.

You can even do miniature trees on each table, similarly decorated. It creates a lovely effect.

There are no limits to the number of ways you can create dazzling baby shower decorations. Combine the above ideas, add your own twist and create an unforgettable shower!

About the Author: Jessika Ryder is a successful business writer and party enthusiast providing valuable information on hosting fun baby showers. Her numerous articles provide tips on party planning, baby shower decorations, invitations and other aspects of these events.

Baby Shower Ideas