I love presents!!

One of the advantages of having a house party, is people tend to bring presents, rather than checks.  Which was fine by me!  For a new baby, you need everything!  And sometimes twice over…

We did make a list of things we wanted, in case anyone asked what to get us.  Some people got together to buy a larger gift, which is sweet, because you don’t need to exchange a hundred clothes or small toys.  We bought our own furniture, and asked for things like – an electric sterilizer, a baby trampoline, a diaper genie or a baby monitor.

However, the presents you don’t think to ask for sometimes surprise you!  Here are some of my favorites: flannel receiving blankets (or cloth diapers for spit ups etc.  in fun colors or larger shapes), a large playmat (big enough for parents to lay on the floor with baby, or to place a baby gym on), a musical mobile (so easy to turn on music for baby even while changing…).

When I used to be a guest at baby showers, I had a go-to baby present – a hooded baby towel, embroidered with the baby’s name.  People like baby to have new towels, and they can enjoy it as they grow up.  But now, I’ve many more ideas and I diversify 🙂

I also started to notice some needed things people overlook:  for instance, if the mother is nursing, a lightweight nursing cover, or nursing friendly shirts (I discovered nursing friendly shirts like a well-kept secret.  Most stores will only have one or two styles available, masquerading as maternity wear, but there are specialized stores just for nursing, and so many different styles available online!!  And if we already went there – nursing friendly dresses!  Because you can lift almost any shirt, but a dress is trickier…)

When my brother’s baby girl was born, I was asked if it would be better to get a fancy little dress, or several every day clothes.  Good question!  Because it really depends on how many you already have of each…

So… what do you usually buy as a present for a new baby?  What were some of your favorite presents to receive?  What surprised you?  What did you find out you need that people tend to overlook?