Baby Gift Giving

I don't know what the correct protocol is but I think it's up to each individual to decide whether or not they should send a gift. My opinion is that a card of congratulations should be more than enough, especially in these hard times. Sending the card is acknowledging the event and that you're not ignoring it. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I usually send a gift for child two or three. The easiest way for me to do it, is go to where they are registered Walmart, target, babies R us, etc and have it sent directly to them. They let you send a message with the gift too. This way you know that you are getting them something they requested/need and dont have to worry about pick it up and sending it yourself. It's very easy and not time consumming at all. BTW you don't sound cheap at all, we all have tight budgets!!

I'm not sure about your question for birth announcements?? Baby announcements are sent by parents to let everyone know that the baby is here and don't believe gifts are supposed to be sent/received by anyone. I do send an announcement to EVERYONE who gave a gift/money though. I hope this answers this questions. Congrats on number 2 BTW!!

Hope this helps,
N. M mother of 2- 4 year old boy and 15 month of girl

Hi N.,

All the gift giving does get a little overwhelming and pricey. I think it is nice to send a little something just so they know your thinking of them.

I have a friend who makes adorable embroidered (sp) gifts. Her prices are extremely reasonable and she will make anything you want. She does shirts, onesies, pacifier clips, bloomers, receiving blankets, hooded towels, head bands, monogram towels... Or you can tell her your idea. You can check out her blog at twolittlebyrdies.blogspot.com

Have a GREAT day.

We have a lot of friends who live out of state, and we can't go to all the showers we'd like to. I usually send a card with a gift card with whatever amount you can afford. Most places have Babies R Us or Target, so we usuaslly do those for baby showers. Especially if it is for a second of third child, it's hard to know what they need. Who can't use a gift card ? When I get an announcement, we send flowers if we're good friends that keep in good contact. Otherwise, I just send a card if I hadn't already sent a gift for a shower.

Send a card it is always appropriate. my gauge is that if you don't send them a birthday present you don't send other gifts.

I'm searching my mind for a baby gift also. I'm trying to be creative and save money. Think the best thing for both of us is to definitely respond with a card, even a handmade one. It could be a little project with your little one. Ink stamp her hand or stamp her fingerprints with different colors into a shape on a card with something like "from our baby to yours".
You could even get creative with baby items. Personalize some diapers, baby socks, baby mittens, baby hat or bib...there are so many baby items. I once saw a baby gift of diapers. A pack of diapers was unwrapped and staked in 3 tiers like a cake with just ribbon..it was so cute and it was a gift that would be put to use.
I better get busy with mine.

Hello!

If you do any kind of needlework or craft, you can probably create a little gift very inexpensively, and speaking for myself, I treasure everything where someone took the time to make something for me or my family, however skilled the outcome. You could fabric paint t-shirts and onsies, make a blanket or stuffed animal, make a cap and booties, make a picture frame for the growing family, etc. - there is so much. Most of this should be mail-able and should not put you back too far, if you feel that you really want to send something.
If you just feel the need to do something out of obligation, I would skip the gift and just send a heartfelt card, because you will likely not have much joy in creating the gift, so why bother? In that case you are probably not that close to that friend anymore, at least for the time being.

Hope that helps?
D.

N.,
I think when you have friends you need to keep the friendship strong by support, sometimes by gifts. If money is tight a home-made item works. I bought an inexpensive soft cube that was made just for little ones to play with, and it had places to put photos. I put photos of me and my kids and sent it with a note introducing us to her (via picture). I let Mom know to introduce us and reminde her of us when she played with the cube. She came out just a few weeks ago and Sydny (22 mo) knew us. I was amazed that she came right to me and would not let me out of her sight. She knew us and it made the effort worth it! I hope this helps.
R.

If they have had their babies relative close together just a card is totally appropriate. If the babies are far apart they may need things they gave away after their first one. Each situation is different. I think people appreciate the well-wishes and blessing just as much as a gift and after their first child, they probably don't expect many gifts.

Hey N. - I feel your pain!!!
So many times we want to show our support for friends who get married, have babies, etc., but the toll it takes on our pocketbook can be too much, especially in this day and age where the economy has tightened everybody's budget.
My husband and I and our kids always try to do something thoughtful, a card, some photographs (in a collage), coupons for babysitting or dinner, etc. The family gets involved, and the receiver knows that we were thinking of them. Our motto is something is better than nothing. If they are true friends, the materialistic aspect won't matter and the fact that you thought of them and took time out to do something especially for them will mean more than a breadmaker or a pack of diapers.
Good luck to you!
J.

Hi N.,
I would not feel pressured to send any gift. That is ridiculous, especially in these uncertain financial times. A thoughtful card would be appreciated by a true friend. If you just can't help yourself, send a gift card for a small amount.
But, I'm sure your friend will just love the fact that you took the time to "physically" send a card vs. an e-mail!

I give gifts for everything! Don't get me wrong, they are modest, usually homemade but always from the heart and personalized.

Here is what I do in this situation...I make tee shirts for the older siblings and give that as the gift. Do this with a computer and printer iron-on or with craft paints. I personalize them if I know the newest arrivals name in advance, such as "I am Michael's BIG BROTHER!"

Once I did this for a family of six siblings...it went "I'm the BIG BROTHER", "I'm the BIGGER BROTHER", I'm the BIGGEST BROTHER" etc.

Tee shirts are cheap to send in the mail and many of my friends have been tickled pink when their kids wear them to the hospital to meet the sibling.

If money is truly tight, who doesn't appreciate heart felt words of congratulations and encouragement? By all means send a card!

We just had our first, and also sent announcements to folks we know all over the place. I didn't think anything of it when friends sent cards only (in fact it was kind of a relief not to have to keep track of one more thank-you card to send).

The people who send only a card aren't inconsiderate in my eyes; I think it would be presumptuous to expect a gift from every friend you ever had -- without regard to tight budgets. Especially so if it's not the first baby. It's possible these kinds of issues make or break associations in Emily Post's income tax bracket...but as for me (and maybe for you) protocol has less to do with stuff and more to do with actual friendship.