What Should I Spend on a Baby Shower Gift?
Tattoo Baby Gift Set
Everyone you ask will tell you, "It's not how much you spend but the thought that counts." You will receive advice based on how close a relation you are to the mother-to-be. You might be told to spend the same amount she spent on your baby shower gift. All in all, you will receive many different points of view on how much to spend and what to buy for a baby shower gift based on the advice giver's own personal experience and their beliefs.
When it comes to choosing the amount to spend on a baby shower gift, you need to assess your own personal budget, first. Ask yourself based on what's been happening in your life lately, what you can afford. Secondly, how much time is there until the baby shower? Maybe you have some time to save up for a gift.
The intention to want to give the most expensive gift on the registry is very generous. Everyone is excited and they want to "shower" the new mother with gifts. Besides the things are all so cute and small and new. But, the reality is that a $250 high chair is just out of your budget.
So, how much should you spend on a baby shower gift?
The average baby shower gift costs between $25 and $75. Typically, the immediate family members of the mother-to-be purchase the most expensive items on the baby shower registry. Sometimes a few close friends will "go in" on a gift so they can buy a baby shower gift that is expensive.
Try to add something sentimental to your baby shower gift to make it more special. An idea is a photo album of you and your friend including past adventures together as well as a picture of the two of you every month of her pregnancy proudly portraying her baby bump. Be sure to leave a few blank pages so she can add pictures of you and the baby once it's born!
What Size Should I Buy for a Baby Shower Gift?
Baby Clothes Sizing
Baby showers are very exciting. Everyone's gift will be "on display" at the shower as the mother-to-be opens her presents for all to see. You want to buy a nice gift that the new mom will love and use. You decide to buy baby clothes but wonder what size to buy.
The baby hasn't been born yet so you don't know what size he or she will need. You may not even know if it's a he or a she. You don't know if the baby will be born early and be a preemie. Or, if the baby will be born on time and be big. What if you buy baby clothes and the baby is already too big for the outfit? Then it would be a waste of money and useless to the mom.
Another thing to consider is what clothing sizes other gift givers at the baby shower will be buying. What if you all buy the same size and the new mom has too much in the same size? The baby will outgrow some of the outfits before getting to wear them.
So, what size baby clothes should you buy for a baby shower gift?
Most people buy newborn or 0-6 months when buying for a baby shower gift. But, there is nothing wrong with thinking ahead and buying 6-12 months or even 12-18 months. It's probably not appropriate to buy too far ahead and burden a busy, new mom with storing something the child won't use until they are 5. Realistically, a new mom will appreciate baby clothes up to size 2T (2 years).
There will be a day, not far in the future, that the new mom will be dressing her baby and all the clothes in the drawer will be too small. It happens without warning. At that very moment, she's going to be very happy to have something in the "next size" so she can dress her baby and go to the store to buy a new wardrobe for her bundle of joy.
Caring for your Baby’s Pacifier
Cool Baby Pacifiers from Kiditude
Your baby has to put this in their mouth! Yuk! Dirt and germs!
Even brand new pacifiers need to be sterilized. You can sterilize your baby's pacifier by boiling it in water on the stove for 5 minutes and letting it cool before giving it to baby. There are also microwave bags like the ones from Medela in which you can sterilize baby pacifiers and other items such as bottle nipples. Pacifiers can also be sterilized on the top rack of a dishwasher.
If your baby pacifier gets water in it, squeeze the nipple to remove the water. Water in the nipple of a pacifier is normal as pacifiers are made to take in air to help reduce the occurrence of tooth damage.
Like toothbrushes, your baby's pacifier is used in his or her mouth. If your baby uses pacifiers daily you should replace them often.