xp Gift Idea Help

[junewife]

Hi! This is xp-ed in my other BMB, but I don't think any of you hang out there anyway.

Wise S13 ladies, I'd love your help with two baby/pregnancy related gifts:

1. A coworker just let me know she's pregnant and due in early Nov. We aren't physically based in the same location, but I'd like to send her a token gift ($15-20, preferably from Amazon) to express my excitement. This is something she's wanted for a long time and I want to be demonstrative with my support. So far the best ideas I have are either a gift set of sample sizes of pregnancy products for Earth Mama Angel Baby or a gender neutral baby blanket, but I'm not sold. Any brilliant ideas?

2. I'm going to my cousin's baby shower in less than two weeks and would like to do something special for her. TBH, her registry is a bit of a mess in a "I'm a FTM and I'm not savvy enough to participate in TCF forums" kind of way. So I'm not inclined to spend most of my money on her list.

I was thinking about putting together a basket/box with hospital, postpartum, and breastfeeding essentials (she feels strongly about at least trying to BF, so I'm not overstepping here). I'm thinking the total should be $50-75. Here are my thoughts, I'd love others!

• Hospital packing list
  
• granola bars/snacks for hospital and BFing at home
  
• chapstick and gum for hospital
  
• magazines for BFing
  
• hand sanitizer
  
• Breastfeeding resources (would love your advice on what to include other than kellymom)
  
• Nipple cream
  
• breastpads
  
• breastfeeding cover? (she has one on her registry)
  
• maybe a nursing tank or nursing sleep-style bra?
  
• postpartum supplies- pads, witch hazel, tucks ??
  
• I'd like to also include something fun/pretty so it doesn't just look like I walked through an aisle of CVS on the way to the shower
• Other thoughts?

I'm also separately bringing some gently used items that we don't need- a sleep sheep, and a like-new Moby among them (not as a gift per se, but to also give her that day when I see her).

Thanks so much, ladies!

(Edit to fix weird spacing)

[legitsince86]

1. I would say the gift set. I think people give a lot of blankets as a gift. Or at least I received a ton.

2. I like your ideas. I'm iffy about the postpartum supplies. My cousin did the witch hazel pads and they ended up in the trash since I had a c-section.

[junewife]

Apr 22, 2015 13:47:10 GMT -5 legitsince86 said:

1. I would say the gift set. I think people give a lot of blankets as a gift. Or at least I received a ton.

2. I like your ideas. I'm iffy about the postpartum supplies. My cousin did the witch hazel pads and they ended up in the trash since I had a c-section.

Good point. I felt a little weird about it since she'll be opening it in front of a crowd anyway. Maybe I'll just make a list of things she *might* need and then she can buy what she wants.

[annarose]

When I got pregnant my sister in law got me a thoughtful/useful gift. She got be a nice, big reusable water cup and some bottles of Fiji water (she works for Fiji) to help me stay hydrated. I used the cup everyday until i dropped it and had to get a new one. When my 2 cousins got pregnant, I did the same except I included The Honest Company Belly Rub as well. It seemed to go over well and I think they enjoyed it. My other SIL gave me a "Love at First Sight" gender netural picture frame.

My thoughts for your cousins registrys: is there anything on there that you know she would use? like a bouncer, rock n play....etc Both of my cousin's registries looked like a big hot mess to me but I knew they put time and effort into picking the items they did. So I found items I myself found helpful and let someone else by the toddler booster seat they registered for (seriously).
I think your idea of a basket/box is cute but remember that everyone is diffrent. I say this because I have really realized that in watching how diffrently both of my cousins did things during thier pregnancies and birth experiences from me. I can see items on your list that I wouldn't have used or would rather choose on my own. I had 2 SIL that were succesfull BF's before me, but I liked reasearching everything on my own and asking for thier opionions on certian things. And we are really close but I wouldn't have wanted them to pick out any of my nursing stuff (nipple cream, bras, tanks)
I tend to stick to registries though, since I know how much time and effort I put into my own.

[annarose]

Apr 22, 2015 13:54:01 GMT -5 junewife said:

Apr 22, 2015 13:47:10 GMT -5 legitsince86 said:

1. I would say the gift set. I think people give a lot of blankets as a gift. Or at least I received a ton.

2. I like your ideas. I'm iffy about the postpartum supplies. My cousin did the witch hazel pads and they ended up in the trash since I had a c-section.

Good point. I felt a little weird about it since she'll be opening it in front of a crowd anyway. Maybe I'll just make a list of things she *might* need and then she can buy what she wants.

 My hospital gave me a bunch of tucks pads, epi foam and some other spray stuff for postpardum care. I didn't even need the tucks pads I bought and they are still under my sink.

[junewife]

Apr 22, 2015 14:03:35 GMT -5 annarose said:

When I got pregnant my sister in law got me a thoughtful/useful gift. She got be a nice, big reusable water cup and some bottles of Fiji water (she works for Fiji) to help me stay hydrated. I used the cup everyday until i dropped it and had to get a new one. When my 2 cousins got pregnant, I did the same except I included The Honest Company Belly Rub as well. It seemed to go over well and I think they enjoyed it. My other SIL gave me a "Love at First Sight" gender netural picture frame.

My thoughts for your cousins registrys: is there anything on there that you know she would use? like a bouncer, rock n play....etc Both of my cousin's registries looked like a big hot mess to me but I knew they put time and effort into picking the items they did. So I found items I myself found helpful and let someone else by the toddler booster seat they registered for (seriously).
I think your idea of a basket/box is cute but remember that everyone is diffrent. I say this because I have really realized that in watching how diffrently both of my cousins did things during thier pregnancies and birth experiences from me. I can see items on your list that I wouldn't have used or would rather choose on my own. I had 2 SIL that were succesfull BF's before me, but I liked reasearching everything on my own and asking for thier opionions on certian things. And we are really close but I wouldn't have wanted them to pick out any of my nursing stuff (nipple cream, bras, tanks)
I tend to stick to registries though, since I know how much time and effort I put into my own.

Thanks so much for your perspective.  She registered for nipple cream, breast pads, and a nursing cover, so those are the ones I'd buy her.  I was thinking if I got a nursing tank I'd include the gift receipt.

Her registry is a mess in that it's like a ton of cases of diapers in various sizes, bulk sizes of toiletries/disposables (baby medicine, plastic bags for diapers..and shelf liner??), and paperback books. The only useful thing I see on there is swaddles, but I want to get her something more.  She didn't register for a bouncer, rock n play, monitor, or anything like that. She already has her stroller/carseat and nursery furniture.  

I'm just so confused because her wedding registry was fine.

[annarose]

Apr 22, 2015 14:15:48 GMT -5 junewife said:

Apr 22, 2015 14:03:35 GMT -5 annarose said:

When I got pregnant my sister in law got me a thoughtful/useful gift. She got be a nice, big reusable water cup and some bottles of Fiji water (she works for Fiji) to help me stay hydrated. I used the cup everyday until i dropped it and had to get a new one. When my 2 cousins got pregnant, I did the same except I included The Honest Company Belly Rub as well. It seemed to go over well and I think they enjoyed it. My other SIL gave me a "Love at First Sight" gender netural picture frame.

My thoughts for your cousins registrys: is there anything on there that you know she would use? like a bouncer, rock n play....etc Both of my cousin's registries looked like a big hot mess to me but I knew they put time and effort into picking the items they did. So I found items I myself found helpful and let someone else by the toddler booster seat they registered for (seriously).
I think your idea of a basket/box is cute but remember that everyone is diffrent. I say this because I have really realized that in watching how diffrently both of my cousins did things during thier pregnancies and birth experiences from me. I can see items on your list that I wouldn't have used or would rather choose on my own. I had 2 SIL that were succesfull BF's before me, but I liked reasearching everything on my own and asking for thier opionions on certian things. And we are really close but I wouldn't have wanted them to pick out any of my nursing stuff (nipple cream, bras, tanks)
I tend to stick to registries though, since I know how much time and effort I put into my own.

Thanks so much for your perspective.  She registered for nipple cream, breast pads, and a nursing cover, so those are the ones I'd buy her.  I was thinking if I got a nursing tank I'd include the gift receipt.

Her registry is a mess in that it's like a ton of cases of diapers in various sizes, bulk sizes of toiletries/disposables (baby medicine, plastic bags for diapers..and shelf liner??), and paperback books. The only useful thing I see on there is swaddles, but I want to get her something more.  She didn't register for a bouncer, rock n play, monitor, or anything like that. She already has her stroller/carseat and nursery furniture.  

I'm just so confused because her wedding registry was fine.


Oh, well if she registered for the stuff I would say go ahead and buy them! That changes my thought processes and then the other little thoughtful items like the magazine and lip gloss are cute and ties it all together. I didn't registred for any of the nursing stuff and added them to my registry after the party to get the discount.

It's funny going back and looking at registries now that we are "experienced" hahaha In addition to the toddler car booster seat, one of my cousins had potty training items and also items for the pool when the child would be a toddler. To each thier own but those made me giggle.

Do you think she is getting all the bouncers and stuff from friends? A younger co worker basically registered for nothing because she didn't like asking for things and the girls at work ended up getting her the big stuff playmat, exersaucer, bumbo...etc

[carli]

For the coworker, I'd like to suggest sock-ons. They are my favorite infant item. They hold baby socks on and are a really unique gift that only my sister thought of/found. I loved them! Also, pretty inexpensive and, I think, the perfect gift to say "YAY! Baby!" I also received way more than enough baby blankets at my shower and never used any of the typical pregnancy products.

And I also think your gift idea for your cousin is great. Again, I didn't use much of the postpartum items so I'd probably skip out on those but the breastfeeding items would have gone over VERY well for me as would the delivery/hospital snacks and stuff.

[junewife]

Apr 22, 2015 14:22:50 GMT -5 annarose said:

Apr 22, 2015 14:15:48 GMT -5 junewife said:

Thanks so much for your perspective.  She registered for nipple cream, breast pads, and a nursing cover, so those are the ones I'd buy her.  I was thinking if I got a nursing tank I'd include the gift receipt.

Her registry is a mess in that it's like a ton of cases of diapers in various sizes, bulk sizes of toiletries/disposables (baby medicine, plastic bags for diapers..and shelf liner??), and paperback books. The only useful thing I see on there is swaddles, but I want to get her something more.  She didn't register for a bouncer, rock n play, monitor, or anything like that. She already has her stroller/carseat and nursery furniture.  

I'm just so confused because her wedding registry was fine.


Oh, well if she registered for the stuff I would say go ahead and buy them! That changes my thought processes and then the other little thoughtful items like the magazine and lip gloss are cute and ties it all together. I didn't registred for any of the nursing stuff and added them to my registry after the party to get the discount.

It's funny going back and looking at registries now that we are "experienced" hahaha In addition to the toddler car booster seat, one of my cousins had potty training items and also items for the pool when the child would be a toddler. To each thier own but those made me giggle.

Do you think she is getting all the bouncers and stuff from friends? A younger co worker basically registered for nothing because she didn't like asking for things and the girls at work ended up getting her the big stuff playmat, exersaucer, bumbo...etc

Yeah, I felt weird putting nursing things on my registry too, other than a Medela gift set. Ditto for things like diaper cream and toiletries.

I don't think she's getting those things (bouncer, etc) from friends/family. I honestly just think she's kind of clueless.  She flat out told me she didn't want a monitor, even though she plans to put baby in his own crib/room from day 1 and the way her house is set up, the nursery is NOT close to their bedroom.

But I'm trying not to be super judgy. I just don't want to spend my money on giant cases of diapers that may or may not work for her baby and a $17 jumbo sized package of diaper rash cream.

[annarose]

junewife, no monitor? Is there a reason behind that? Like they cause brain damage or its been proven that babies are really aware of them and cry more so you'll come get them? I am super curious about her reasoning lol

[junewife]

Apr 22, 2015 14:34:23 GMT -5 annarose said:

junewife, no monitor? Is there a reason behind that? Like they cause brain damage or its been proven that babies are really aware of them and cry more so you'll come get them? I am super curious about her reasoning lol

She didn't really offer reasoning. She was asking for my advice on things months ago to include on her registry (clearly didn't listen!) and when I said monitor, she said that they didn't plan to use one. I didn't want to push it and imagine that they'll probably change their mind and either keep baby in their room awhile or at least buy an audio monitor. (She also told me when I was pg with DS that she felt strongly about having an unmedicated home birth with a doula/midwife and now she's planning to deliver with an OB at a traditional hospital)

[redfraggle]

1. your ideas sound nice. I've also done onesies, sleepers, hats, and blankets for acquaintances. I will also suggest a GC to Motherhood or your fave mat. store so she can buy some nursing gear. I'm planning to send one to a friend who just announced her first viable PG.

2. Your list sounds great!

[mommabakes]

I wouldn't get a bunch of post partum stuff, because not everyone uses/needs it. All I used after birth was pads and the peri bottle from the hospital, I had no need for the rest of the stuff.

You could do some cute nursing tanks, a sleep style bra, mags or books if you know what she'd like, a cute, large water bottle, a Boppy with cute covers, a nursing cover, some good granola or protein bars, maybe recipes for lactation cookies. I think the hospital packing list is a terrific idea.

For your co worker,I agree with PP that people usually get a ton of blankets, so I would go with something else. The gift set sounds like a great idea :-)

[junewife]

Thanks, ladies! I've taken the postpartum supplies off my list per your advice. You're right that I won't know what she'll need, and it's a good way to potentially waste money and create an awkward moment for the shower.

Instead, I think I'll create a list for her to accompany the hospital pack list full of things she *might* need. She won't have to read it outloud or use it if she doesn't want, but it might get her thinking about the postpartum time and what she might need.

[redfraggle]

Can I just say that it is the thought that counts. We could spend all day debating what on her registry or your basket list is or is not a good gift idea. Even a bouncer might not get used. If I got the gift you listed, junewife, even if I didn't use everything, I'd have really loved the thought you put into it. If she really is clueless, she needs someone to give her some practical advice, lest she google and find The Art of Making a Baby's hospital pack list, and that would really be bad.

[annarose]

Apr 22, 2015 14:50:46 GMT -5 redfraggle said:

Can I just say that it is the thought that counts. We could spend all day debating what on her registry or your basket list is or is not a good gift idea. Even a bouncer might not get used. If I got the gift you listed, junewife, even if I didn't use everything, I'd have really loved the thought you put into it. If she really is clueless, she needs someone to give her some practical advice, lest she google and find The Art of Making a Baby's hospital pack list, and that would really be bad.

I just had to go and google this...holy crap! you might as well just pack up your whole house! And I love how she made sure to type "organic onesie" "organic blanket" lol

[fiveohfive]

What about something like this that has a lot of hospital/PP stuff but comes prepackaged?

www.amazon.com/Push-Pack-prepacked-hospital-labor/dp/B00DV6JW86

Eta: I agree with others she may not use all the PP stuff, but if she is as naive as you say she is then she may not know what to buy or use if she is in pain and needs extra care without having it purchased for her.

[salemkitty]

Can I say how jealous I am that so many of you didn't need postpartum care items?

I like the gift set for your coworker.

I think the list of items for your cousin sounds good. I am very practical and I appreciate practical gifts