Welcoming a new baby into the world is a special time, not just for mommy and daddy, but for all of their friends and family as well. Baby showers are a great way to celebrate and help the new parents prepare for their bundle of joy. Baby items can be expensive and when you’re low on funds, it is can be very frustrating to look through a baby registry and see only big-ticket items left. So, what do you do when you need to shop for gifts on a budget? Here are some great inexpensive baby shower ideas that will not disappoint!
Get Creative:
The most memorable gifts that anyone can give are the ones that are home-made. All the time and thought that goes into a unique, hand-crafted item is worth more than money can buy. Not to mention, it is a guarantee that no one will duplicate your present! If you knit or sew, show off your talent by making a personalized blanket or hat for the little one. You don’t have to have a specialized skill-set to be creative though. Crafting something as simple as a scrap-book, for the parents to fill in with photos, just takes a little imagination and will provide the family with a book of fond memories for years to come!
The Essentials:
There is no shortage of impractical gifts at baby showers. Sure, a frilly dress will get tons of “oohs” and “awws” from guests but really that dress is only going to be used for maybe a month or two before the baby grows out of it. Every mother knows that you can never have too much of the basics. Purchasing everyday items like: pacifiers, diapers, wipes, onesies and shampoo and soap, will help mom and dad out big time in the long run. Putting together a gift basket full of some essentials would be much appreciated and won’t bust your budget!
Plan for the Future:
Preparing for a child’s future is just as important as preparing for the day he/she comes home for the hospital. Buying a saving bond or CD (certificate deposit) for a small amount of money now will eventually turn into a substantial amount when it’s time for the little one to head off to college. Even setting up a small savings account in the child’s name can be helpful, by encouraging the family to put money away for the future.
The Gift of Time:
If you have absolutely no money to spend on your baby shower gift, don’t worry there is still hope! Create a coupon book for the parents that will offer them much needed time off. Fill the book with deals like “date night for mommy and daddy”, “sleepover at (your name)’s house”, “lunch delivery” and “day-time outing with (your name)”. The new parents will never feel like they are putting you out by asking you to baby-sit when they have this book. Spending time with the baby and giving mom and dad a break wil l be more valuable than any material object could ever be!
