Baby Shower Gifts - For the Whole Family
Usually, family and friends of the mom and dad-to-be would present different types of gifts for the upcoming little bundle of joy. The kind of gifts that will be presented to the child are usually depends on the kind of family and friends his or her parents have. If the parents are working and are friendly with the upper class of people, then the gifts are most likely in high quality and expensive cost as well. This is the reason why it is important to associate with the right kinds of people in life.
The baby gifts are traditionally presented during baby shower parties. Baby shower is one part of our tradition after announcing that there is a new child who will soon to come. The purpose of the shower is to help the parents to supply the needs of their little ones. A shower party is a great gift-giving way that obviously created an avenue to exercise generosity more easily and conveniently. However, not only the child often receives shower gifts, but the mother and the father also get some great surprises. Even the close relations that help in planning do not go home empty.
If you opt for a surprise baby shower for the family, including the daddy-to-be, the shower should be delicately planned. When planning to throw a shower party, you must take into account that the mom and dad-to-be are not planning to attend any other function that day. You can find an effective liaison officer who can work with you secretly and relating with the new parents at the same time, without them still knowing about it.
Nowadays, there are also organized baby showers for dad. Seems to be surprising but dads also need some pampering. The Pampers Showers are for dads, and they are also showered with different kinds of gifts along with the baby. Sometimes it holds on the same day with the baby shower or on a different day. There are no rules. Probably this is to welcome the father into the fatherhood life.
If giving the right welcoming gifts is one of your top priorities, then you should consider to find something that could last for a lifetime. This calls for a serious time of thinking and most probably brainstorming with anybody that cares to listen to you. Ask questions or opinions from others and make sure you receive satisfying ideas before you go ahead to shop. But your primary aim should be to get the best baby gift that will be appreciated for ages.
You can chose to give a set of baby books on different themes. You might want the books with bedtime stories only. This will a great time of reading for the mom or dad and an interesting listening for the child. Aren’t it cool that you care about enlightening a person who appreciate learning and education? You may also care to give safety baby gear. Safeguard car seat for instance, a wonderful shower gift to the child that show you really care for his or her safety especially during traveling. This kind of gift may not be used immediately but they are priceless. Look into your catalog for the different features and for what is best for every particular age group. Check the colors before you place your order. Other popular shower gifts are of course baby furniture, clothing, baby blankets, feeding supplies and other useful baby supplies and accessories.
Janet R.
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/baby-shower-gifts-for-the-whole-family-671743.html
D G February 23rd, 2010, 10:40 am
How do we handle telling the whole family we don’t want them to buy gifts for our child?
Here is the dilemma: My husband comes from LARGE family who likes to spend a lot of money on people’s birthdays and Christmas.
How do we handle telling the whole family we don’t want them to buy gifts for our child, since we are fairly sure we won’t be able to return the ‘favor’ to them once more kids start coming (as many as 12 or more).
We are talking about baby shower gifts for each child, baptism, birthdays, and Christmas. That is a lot of money for each ‘nephew/niece’.
Not to mention all the other gifts we have to buy during the year for parents and friends and other friends kids, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc… We will go broke just trying to even shell out $10 a gift for each one at each event.
Any ideas? I have asked and asked and asked them not to buy our child anything, but they do anyway. And they are not made of money either. I will feel absolutely awful not buying their child a gift for every season they have bought one for mine.
s7e28w81 February 23rd, 2010, 3:42 pm
If they really have to spend money….start a college plan and have them put the money in there.
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~3 reasons for living~ February 23rd, 2010, 3:44 pm
there is nothing you can do but tell them that you thank them for the gifts but you can not afford to return the favor…. most ppl get gifts for others not expecting a thing in return and if that is the case then they really need help and that would be very rude of them…… and if they do get gifts then i would assume that they do not want anything back since it seems you have already said something to them…. they love your child and be happy that they WANT to do something for your child.
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Kristen E February 23rd, 2010, 3:46 pm
You are planning to have 12 more children, but you don’t yet?
If they are giving for the right reason, they will not expect anything back and just your presence at those occasions [christmas, birthdays] will be a gift to them. If they buy clothes or shoes for them, make it a point to dig them out and have them wearing it when you know you will see them. There is nothing sweeter than seeing a child excited and in something that you bought for them!
You may just have to get creative, remember, children do not expect much and will be happy with a simple bag of m & m’s and are easily entertained with big boxes!
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anonymous21 February 23rd, 2010, 3:48 pm
I think you should accept the gifts and show a happy face. Parents and family members usually buy these gifts to show their love and support, and they don’t expect you to return the favor.
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know-it-all February 23rd, 2010, 3:50 pm
just be honest and explain all this to them if they continue to buy gifts after that then just smile and say thank you.
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beach answerer February 23rd, 2010, 3:52 pm
first of all… you shouldnt give a gift just because someone gave you one….
you give gifts because you can, or want to.
let your family buy presents!! if they complain because you cant reciprocate tell them "i tried to tell you not to buy stuff…"
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Danielle February 23rd, 2010, 3:54 pm
Its called a GIFT……….that does not mean that you must return the favor.
I don’t understand why people feel they must always return the favor. You told them once and they continue to do it so learn how to say "THANK YOU" and keep on moving.
Also there is no where that says you must buy something. I love getting stuff from my little sister that she has made for me. It tells me that she was thinking about me and thought enoght to make me something.
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mgnavadomskis February 23rd, 2010, 3:56 pm
Gifts do not need to be reciprocated. Additionally, gifts don’t need to cost money. You could make a simple card to convey the thoughts & well wishes at each occasion. That’s what it’s really all about. And, if you are obviously sincere, the family may come to realize that you actually meant it, when you said that you would love to celebrate their special occasions with them, but that you can’t afford to buy a gift for each one.
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berrel February 23rd, 2010, 3:58 pm
You could always let them know you prefer savings bonds for your child.
As for returning the favor, you can have your child make something for each holiday. My little one is only 18 months, so he scribbles on paper and I make it into a card.
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missbeans February 23rd, 2010, 4:00 pm
If you have let them know that a gift isn’t necessary, but they get one anyway, receive it graciously. A gift is just that, a gift…it isn’t a favor you have to return. Make sure you send a nice thank you card for gifts, and buy gifts ONLY for the occasions that you can and feel compelled to buy for (compelled by the spirit of giving, not the obligation to do so).
Here is a way of looking at this situation that may make you feel better. You’ve let them know that their presence is gift enough, yet they CHOOSE to buy gifts. If you don’t accept them, or don’t ALLOW gifts when someone WANTS to buy one, you are depriving them of the pleasure of giving. While it is kind of you to think of their financial situation, surely you must realize that unless your relatives don’t have any sense at all, they won’t spend more money than they can afford.
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Karen L February 23rd, 2010, 4:02 pm
Keep in mind that some people just like giving stuff, especially to kids, and it’s a little unkind to deny them the pleasure, as long as they don’t view gifts as a trade for other gifts and feel miffed when you don’t give at the same level. I’d pick one family member who is on good terms with everyone, who you’re comfortable with, and explain that you are a little worried about being able to keep up with this level of gift giving, and see if they can come up with a solution. Many families, as the kids come along, and get older and more expensive to buy for, use the solution of everyone agreeing to limit the number of gifts, perhaps give to the kids only, or only at Christmas and birthdays.
The other thing you could do to contribute your share of the giving is to find a way to give to everyone without spending a pile of money, or help out in ways that don’t cost you a lot of money. Maybe you always host Thanksgiving, maybe you’re the one they can call on for babysitting. Maybe you can sew things or make something else. And remember that for every toy your kid gets, it’s one you don’t have to buy. Sounds like you’re among the first to have kids in this bunch, so you’re going to feel this the hardest, but as more kids come along, the other family members might come to the same conclusion you have, that this is too much to keep up with.
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michelle d February 23rd, 2010, 4:04 pm
You are one of those people who child will have one thing under the tree.
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notyou311 February 23rd, 2010, 4:06 pm
You are going to have to be honest and make the first move. Say, "You know we all love you dearly, but the expense of buying gifts for everyone has just gotten out of hand. Starting today, we will be sending only cards for birthdays, special occasions and Christmas. We want you all to do the same thing. Let’s all agree to just send a nice greeting to each other."
Then do it. Someone has to start the ball rolling.
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ttigresa February 23rd, 2010, 4:08 pm
This seems like a problem you must get over. Your kids could benefit from the gifts. I have a severely large family too. Trust me, if you can’t buy gifts for the kids then try to plan something or at least invite them to a personal movie night or pizza making night honoring them for the special occasion. It’s the relationship that counts not the price of a gift. My girls did the inviting to all of their family and friends because I am a stay-at-home mom and we do not have the benefit of 2 incomes I cannot buy gifts for everyone I would like to. However, when I take photos of the event I make a scrapbook for the honored guest who usually LOVES it. Or have you child make a card or gift for the person who has gifted them. There are other more thoughtful ways to deal with this than to reject their gifts. Remember, people who’s gifts are rejected usually feel rejected themselves. You don’t want to do that to family.
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Kristen S February 23rd, 2010, 4:10 pm
People like to give gifts, especially to children. I come from a large family as well. We set a $10.00 limit per child at Christmas and we only buy for the younger ones(12 and under). My friends family does a Pollyanna. They put all their names into a hat and each person picks one. They have a $25.00 limit. Perhaps these are some ideas you could share with your family and keep the costs down.
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nissacow February 23rd, 2010, 4:12 pm
recommend a round-robin…..kriskringle type thing…… max cost $10… everyone draws out one persons name that they must ’secretly’ buy for….
everyone wins…
as for the personal touch - get your kid to do the cards themselves… personal touch always is appreciated and may start a trend that is returned.
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Mom February 23rd, 2010, 4:14 pm
You’re not going to be able to stop family from buying gifts for your kids if they want to. Its obviously something the enjoy.
What we’ve done in our family, is I know money is tight for my sister…. is we all discussed ahead of time that we only buy gifts for the kids for birthdays and Christmas. So this at least cuts out the adults for a lot of occasions. For stuff like mothers and fathers days, a card will suffice. Don’t feel like you have to equal what they give you. I think as long as you acknowledge the occasions with a card or maybe a homemade gift (like cookies or something like that) you are more than covered. People are very understanding. Good luck!
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