As a newborn mom would you rather want gifts or money

United States
October 22, 2006 11:28pm CST
I have a friends baby shower to go to in a month. Is it better to buy clothes, toys, etc... or just to give the mom a gift certificate somewhere to get stuff themselves
2 people like this
72 responses
@Sezara (169)
• United States
26 Oct 06
I'm about to have my baby and I can say that I prefer gift certs to gifts. I'm buying odds and ends as I think of them but I have TONS of things like blankets and clothes that people gave me as gifts. I appreciate everything given but the money to buy the stuff I never thought about until last minute is nice! I think a gift cert given in a nice presentation would be great. Maybe attach the card to a stuffed animal or a small basket of candy.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Oct 06
Thanks for the response and congratulations on having a baby!!
1 person likes this
@Sezara (169)
• United States
26 Oct 06
Thank you. Have fun at that shower! :)
• South Africa
26 Oct 06
Gift her a gift certificate or a voucher. And something for her.The best gift I got was a full day spa treatment and my mom looking after the baby.And a pedicure set with lots of nail polish in.It was so nice to touch my feet and polish my toenails after the big tummy.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Oct 06
That is a good idea! I think that is what I am going to get for the mom. Plus I will babysit for her cause she only lives a few houses away! Thanks for the response!
2 people like this
• United States
25 Oct 06
i would rather have the gifts cause if u get the money it may not always go where u want it mom s alwyas look forward to recieving gifts for the baby and themselves
• United States
25 Oct 06
That is true. It is probably more fun for the mom to open gifts then have gift certificates thanks
• United States
25 Oct 06
Thanks Bailey. I'll go for the bigger size in diapers then! You can tell i don't have kids! I wouldn't have thought that LOL
• United States
25 Oct 06
i loved to receive diapers and wipes and gift cards. Buy the diapers in size 2 or 3 since the new mom may already have the smaller sizes.
@busybee (382)
• India
26 Oct 06
i would prefer to get money
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Oct 06
Thanks for the response! Money is always a good gift!
1 person likes this
@happygal68 (3275)
• United States
24 Oct 06
I was thinking, if you wanted to take pictures at the shower & have the ones that attend write something about the mom down on paper; you could always make up a photo album to present to the mom later to remind her of the shower.
• United States
24 Oct 06
That is a really awesome idea! I think that would be a really cool gift Thank you!
• United States
24 Oct 06
This is the gift I am going to do! Once again thanks for the help. It will be an awesome keepsake for both the mom and the child
• United States
24 Oct 06
Your very welcome. Glad I could help.
• United States
26 Oct 06
Clothes are usually a safe item cause you can never have too many clothes to start out with, but keep your ears open also in case she mentions something she wants. If it seems like she already has a lot or everyone else is bringing a lot then maybe go with the money so you she can still get the last odds and ends she may need. Hope that helps. :)
• United States
26 Oct 06
That does help Thank you! I don't have any kids so any ideas for gifts helps me out greatly. Thanks for taking the time to help out
1 person likes this
@rlporter (515)
• United States
25 Oct 06
A gift card to Babies R Us and a package of diapers makes the perfect gift. I had so many outfits that my daughter couldn't even wear, so sad.
• United States
25 Oct 06
I suppose people picked out either too small or too big of clothes. That is what I would be worried about if i bought clothes. So I think I will stay away from clothes. Thanks!! Diapers are always necessity!
@rlporter (515)
• United States
25 Oct 06
Or you could get a laundry basket and fill it with neccessities like: Dreft laundry detergent, diapers, wipes, ect. and wrap the whole basket with a baby blanket, tie with ribbon and attch a cute toy to the outside.
@kids91911 (4363)
• United States
26 Oct 06
Money then you can go get what you want
• United States
26 Oct 06
Thanks for the help kids91911! You can never go wrong with cash!! :)
1 person likes this
@kids91911 (4363)
• United States
26 Oct 06
The only reason I say that is becuz my family is a bunch of airheads. My first was born before my baby shower. We sent out invites that said it's a boy. I received so much girl stuff that I spent 3 days taking stuff back and getting boy stuff. Hope you don't have the same problem.
@happygal68 (3275)
• United States
23 Oct 06
You could give her a gift cert for the baby, but I would also make up a basket of relaxing items just for MOM when she gets the chance to relax. That way you take care of her and the baby.
• United States
24 Oct 06
That is a good idea!
1 person likes this
@stezieb (2182)
• United States
25 Oct 06
I agree having a baby, especially becoming a new mom is tough and alot of work. They deserve something nice to help them relax.
• United States
25 Oct 06
I had two boys and would have loved to get something to help me relax when I had time to do so. Thank you :-]
• United States
25 Oct 06
I would say if she has a registry anywhere to buy something off that because she had to take the time to register for those items. If not, than a gift card can come in handy to buy something she didn't get and needs/wants.
• United States
25 Oct 06
She didn't register anywhere that is why I am having a hard time deciding what to get. I don't have kids so i don't know which item I would want
• United States
25 Oct 06
I know one thing I couldn't live without is the Boppy pillow. It's such an arm saver! And you can never have too many diapers/wipes. One great thing about diapers is if you have an unopened package, but need a different size, you can just exchange it.
@MaddisMom (144)
• United States
24 Oct 06
I always make up a gift basket with diapers (not newborn size...they aren't in those very long), wipes, diaper cream, Mylicon drops, infant Tylenol...essentials. Sometimes I throw in a baby classical CD and things like that. I put it in a cute laundry basket and it is ALWAYS very well liked.
• United States
25 Oct 06
That is a very cute idea also! Thank you for the idea
@Theresam (1177)
• United States
26 Oct 06
I do this as well. It has been a big hit. When I threw a baby shower for a friend. I asked everyone to bring a container of wipes, baby wash etc. it was great. I personally think gift certificates are impersonal
@crazymom (579)
• United States
25 Oct 06
I have a newborn and I would much rather get the money. My reason is because every one went out and got cute clothes for him, half of which he didn't even get to wear because he grew so fast, and nobody even thinks about giving you diapers or formula which is two of the main expenses of having a baby is the diapers and formula
• United States
25 Oct 06
Thanks Crazymom!! i am glad I started this discussion cause I would have went out and bought cute outfits! i am not a mom yet so I needed help on this one cause my friend didn't register anywhere. I think I will go with diapers, wipes, and a gift certificate! Thanks for the help
@crazymom (579)
• United States
25 Oct 06
You are welcome!! I am happy to help!! Sounds like you got some great answers.
@BROWNEYEZ (447)
• United States
26 Oct 06
I RATHER GIFT CERTIF. CAUSE SOMETIMES YOU END UP GETTING 5 OF EVERYTHING AND ALSO SOMETIME PEOPLE DONT GET WHAT YOU REALLY WANTED
• United States
26 Oct 06
Thanks for the response!! I think I am going to go with a gift certificate That is the majority's vote on here!!
• United States
26 Oct 06
GOOD CHOICE AND GOOD LUCK
@meowi777 (269)
• Austria
26 Oct 06
I would suggest something like a certificate or baby toiletries instead of clothings cos baby borns grow really fast, after a month or two they will not fit in anymore.
• United States
26 Oct 06
Thanks for the help meow!! Yea my instinct would have been to buy tons of cute outfits! Until I started this discussion. I learned not to do that cause people buy the wrong sizes and the kids grow out of them too fast! Thanks for the response
@meowi777 (269)
• Austria
26 Oct 06
No problemo. Happy to be of help. That's what we are for in this myLot society.
@funguy (148)
23 Oct 06
A NEW BORN MOM ? HOW CAN YOU BE NEW BORN AND BE A MOM TOO? WOW. YOU MEAN YOU WERE BORN AND YOU AUTOMATICALLY WAS A MUM? HOW? WHAT ARE TALKING ABOUT?
• United States
24 Oct 06
Sorry I meant a new mom!! Oops I guess I should have proofread it better!
@funguy (148)
25 Oct 06
Sorry about that i was just being a bit silly. I knew what you meant. I aplogise.
@kdarrell (1562)
• Canada
26 Oct 06
I would ask the mom what things she needs and then I would go out and purchase the items she mentioned. Then, I would take her out to dinner for something for herself.
• United States
27 Oct 06
Thanks for the help! That is a good idea to take the mom out for dinner!
@jenw06 (165)
• United States
26 Oct 06
Gift certificates are nice it gives them a chance to get what they need and not get duplicate items. Also you can never go wrong with diapers.
• United States
26 Oct 06
Thanks for the help jenw06!! I have learned a lot starting this topic! I would have went out and bought tons of outfits. now I am going to go get diapers, wipes, and a gift certificate! Thanks again!
@sambosch (843)
• India
26 Oct 06
I think gifts that help her taking care of the baby would be nice.
• United States
27 Oct 06
Thanks for the help!
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
27 Oct 06
Instead of giving her a gift certificate and limiting her to just one store, you might just give her the cash in a card. Another thought is that you give her a gift certificate for something like a massage and a coupon for free babysitting.
• United States
28 Oct 06
The free babysitting is a really good idea! So just lives a few houses away from me so that would work out perfect
• United States
27 Oct 06
Is your friend registered somewhere? If she is, then you could always pick something from her list at that store. Personally, I prefer to either buy something from someone's baby registry or just give them a gift certificate or cash. If you give a gift certificate though, make sure it is at a store you know they will shop at.
• United States
27 Oct 06
No she is not registered anywhere. That is why I am trying to find out what moms would rather have since I don't have any kids yet! Thanks for the response