Giving a Baby Shower Gift After Giving All of My Baby Things

Books are a great baby shower gift. Mabey a couple of those little board books by Sandra Boynton?

Since you gave a lot of stuff for baby, mabey you could buy something for the mom for her to use in the hospital or after the baby is born? Lotion, tea, soft socks...... that sort of thing.

If nothing else, diapers are always appreciated! :)

How about a couple of sweet board books? "Bunny and Me" was my daughter's absolute favorite as an infant:

http://www.jacketflap.com/bookdetail.asp?bookid=0760763364

If you have time and think your friend would like it, you could do a "new mom survival kit". I found this list on line, but you can look around for other lists. Most of the items don't really cost a lot of money, and tend to get a few laughs at a shower.

Hershey's Hugs & Kisses: for you and the baby, for you both deserve them

Penny: for your thoughts

Pen & Journal: to write down your thoughts & to remember those amazing moments

Clock: to remind you that time will pass by too quickly, enjoy every

moment

Mirror: to remind you that you are important too

Marbles: to replace the ones you will lose

Jewel: now that you are a mother, you are even more valuable

Rubber band: to remind you that flexibility is the key

Lifesavers: to save you from one of those days

Tissue: to dry those tears, the babies and yours

Toothpick: to pick out the good in all situations

Fireball: for times when you are burnt out

Lollipop: to lick all your problems

Eraser: to remind you that every new Mom made mistakes

Puzzle Piece: because you are an important piece in your child's journey through life

Starburst: for energy!

We were in the same spot recently. We are "done" and moved out-of-state, so my girlfriend benefited from my boxes of maternity clothing and baby "stuff". When it came time for her shower, I went to Babies R Us and bought a bunch of her "little items" (the ones no one wants to buy) and put them into two large coffee mugs with a small thing of coffee... they were going to need that too! Nail scissors, no scratch mittens, baby tylenol, etc. I think I spent $25 on the "items" and then found the coffee set at TJ Maxx.

At my shower, my niece gave me a pregnant lady's date night and it was hilarious and great. She put a gift certificate for pizza, bottle of lemonade, bag of microwave popcorn and the DVD of "Knocked Up" in a tote bag. She also added a pair of very comfortable socks. I loved that she put so much thought into something for "us", not just something for the baby!

You could also do a gift certificate to a local takeout pizza place for them- MUCH appreciated gift that we received! Our neighbors did a "dinner basket" for us when baby #2 was born. It had paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins, cups and gift certificates to 3 or 4 neighborhood delivery places.

I also had a friend bake 10-12 dozen goodies and freeze them. She wrapped them up with a thing of coffee, a box of tea and a dishwasher safe serving platter so that when people came over to visit and meet the baby I would have something to put out without having to do it myself. Incredibly creative and SO thoughtful. They were frozen and beautifully wrapped in a gift box (that was kept in the freezer until gift time). It didn't cost her much, but it saved me time and money!

Maybe hit a place like Ross dress for less or marshalls, or even the dollar store and make a basket for HER - soap, mani/pedi, whatever. You gave her tons of baby stuff. If you know of something she would enjoy herself, maybe that would be nice :) Some sort of pamper yourself thing.

Without having read through all of the responses below, my first throught is to continue giving her what you already have - the benefits of having a friend who has already been where she is travelling!
So you started by giving her the "stuff".

Next, how about a handwritten note in a pretty card, inviting her to a month (or 2 or 3) of your "on-call" services.

I have seen it on this site, heard it from all of my friends & even my sister... you think you know what you need to know, you have all the books & the internet at your disposal, but when something happens, you just NEED to talk to a real person who's "been there done that" for the gut-check, & you don't want to bother your doctors nurse -again- !!

So something letting her know that you will be available for any questions (no matter how big or trivial) or even just to talk & vent about the things her husband doesn't understand & she doesn't want to share with her mom/MIL.

Pair that up with a bar of emergency chocolate & some fresh ground coffee to combat the late-night feedings the morning after, & I'm sure she'll be thrilled!

T. (mom to none, aunt to the best!!)

I would just show up with a pack of diapers and a card! She knows that you have given her all of your baby stuff.

How about creating a Mom Survival Kit? It doesn't need to be huge, just fill it with chocolate, lansinoh cream (if you think she's going to breastfeed, for sore nipples), advil, some herbal teas, maybe a fun book with 'short reads' on parenting and those cute packets of tissues they're selling these days?

I like the idea of a journal and nice pen, too. Don't forget a little card to tell her to give you a call when she needs to talk. That sort of reassurance is a nice reminder that she has a friend when she needs one.

I agree, get her a book and a card. You can even pick up a great children's book at a dollar store.

I'm sure your friend will be grateful that you came to her shower and doesn't expect a gift when you've given her so much!

How about a gift certificate for a foot massage.. I know many moms might like one of those..

I would go with diapers/wipes! Or something personal, like a book, poem, photo album etc.

I'm sure she knows how much you've already done for her!

Buy a pack of diapers and some pretty ribbon and make a super cute but super easy diaper cake. Look on pinterest for cool ideas
Good Luck

I would probably pick out a special book for her to read to her baby, and give that. If you have a special one you like to read with your child, maybe buy her a copy of her own and write a cover note in it.

I did the same for a friend of mine back in November. I threw her a beautiful shower, gave her alot of things from my boys. So I ended up giving her a gift card and made her a "diaper carriage", similar to a diaper cake but made to look like a baby carriage. It was one of her favorite gifts. All it cost me was a pack of diapers, some ribbon and a cute blanket I laid over the carriage. http://pinterest.com/pin/72902087687798011/

How nice of you to giver her all your stuff!! Maybe a cute little reusable tote with little essential items.. Binky, rattle, diaper wipes travel box, mini hand sanitizer, little travel bags to put dirty diapers in. Infant gas drops, something little for mom gum and Burt's bees tinted chap stick. I bet you could put a bag together for 10-15 dollars. Target might be a good place to look :)

I like the idea of giving a book or two. I love the book, " on the night you were born,". Ad maybe give a boyton box set?

I'd do a small gift...if she doesn't appreciate the huge gift you've already given her then she's just overwhelmed and not paying attention yet.

Uh, yes, you CAN show up without a gift. Maybe if you feel self-conscious about being empty-handed, you can get her a card, but you are in no way obligated to continue to give before this baby is even born.

ETA: Of course, I appreciated all of my "new mother" gifts, but I had a bunch of stuff that I didn't use and didn't want, like designer pacifiers. I don't like (even the smell of) chocolate and didn't go back to coffee until I went back to work. Once we decided which diapers we would use, the others that I had were just given away. My baby didn't use the no-scratch mittens, and I didn't use smelly body creams. Not that any of this stuff is bad, but until the baby comes home and the parents get a better feel for exactly what they could use, why not let the dust settle on what you've already done and what others are doing, especially since it's not in your budget?? And with a new baby around, the last thing that she will likely want is a bunch of symbolic keepsakes that aren't useful.

You do not have to give her another gift. Give her a card and add a comment about the things you've already given her. Say, for example, I'm so glad that I was able to give you the clothes, etc saved from my baby. That way everyone will know that you've already given her gifts. And.....it's likely that she'll make a comment about how greatful she is.

I've seen this done. One guest gave a pkg. of diapers with the card. Diapers are always welcome.

Maybe get her something nice for HER, like a really great body cream. So it doesn't have to be expensive, just a little token thing the she would never get for herself.

How about a book? Or a small pack of diapers.

Of course you got invited to her shower. No friend should be excluded because they handed down items. I bet your friend is so very appreciative of you passing those things along!! Money is often very tight and those items are of huge value. If she's your true friend you know she will understand. Be honest with her and tell her you'd like to come but may need to buy something at a later time. I bet she will tell you to not think twice about a gift (even at a later time). If you feel like you can't go without something, buy a little summer sleeper or an outfit, nothing expensive but sweet and precious looking.

My 2 default gifts
1. a towel/washcloth set (regular, not baby size)
2. a mattress cover, crib sheet, new soft baby blanket

A pack of diapers ($10 - 20 range)

A bib, burp cloths set

A set of bath lotions