by Nancy Todisco

Created on: May 07, 2009

Shower an expectant Mom with gifts that are sure to warm up her heart and pay homage to her pregnancy. Ignore the barrage of sea foam green sleepers and pale yellow layettes, and dare to be different. Offer the excited Mom-to-be a unique gift, something that will not only envelop her new babe, but something that will honor her current sacrifices and beautiful condition.

Most baby showers are incredibly redundant, because they offer the new mom mounds of diaper mountains, and the same bland sorbet colored infant clothing. After seventeen precious pairs of baby booties and "Spit Happens" tee shirts; the "Ooohs and Aaahs" quickly turn into "Ughs and Ohs". While most guests swarm the baby cake for a sweet treat, some are searching for a sugary slice of cake to stimulate their brain and awaken their senses for the remaining gift revelations.

The purpose of a baby shower is to welcome the precious newborn with a surplus of necessities, while relieving the exhausted parents from doing the last minute baby shuffle, to stock-up on diapers, gadgets, etc. Since most of the invited guests will chose the mundane, safe, diaper and pastel pacifier route; make your gift outstanding and unforgettable.

Consider an offering to the exhausted, pregnant Mom, who very sorely needs a physical and emotional break. Invest in something to brighten her day. The best, and probably easiest gift to purchase, is a gift certificate. What about a pedicure for the poor women who hasn't seen her feet in probably 3 months ? Don't underestimate the power of packaging. I'm a huge fan of gift wrapping and theme ideas. Purchase a wonderful spa pedicure for your favorite expectant Mom, and wrap it up with spa socks, moisturizing foot creams, and perhaps a little pair of booties and cream for the new born babe.

As corny as it sounds, think Theme gifts. What does the expectant Mom love doing ? Is she a gardener ? Then wrap up a basket of seedlings, a gardening tool, matching gardening hats for mom and baby, all in a pretty little watering can, tied with pastel ribbons. If the Mom-to-be is an enthusiastic baker, then be an accessory to her baking crimes. Purchase a pretty basket, or Tupperware container, and load it with new silicone baking accessories and a cookbook about cooking with her child. If your budget allows it, buy an inexpensive chef's hat and apron for her toddler; or even matching Mommy and child aprons.

Regardless of the new Mom's abilities and hobbies, she will want plenty of photographs of her new baby, in all ages and stages. Invest in scrap books, photo albums, stickers, or maybe an inexpensive camera. Consider having a few guests combine resources for an even grander gift. Together, you could buy the camera, the paper decorations, the stickers, the albums; even perhaps a gift card for future photo development at a local drug store. The same theme could include beautiful frames, thoughtfully wrapped in vibrant tissue papers, added to a big wicker basket.

Above all, remember to pay your respects to the expectant Mom. So often the gifts are about her baby, and not the wonderful person who nurtured and sacrificed to ensure a healthy babe. A gift card for the future parents to dine at their favorite restaurant, could be accompanied with a certificate promising your baby sitting services on an evening of their choosing. Whatever gift you choose, remember it is truly the thought that counts. Give more than a material gift to your favorite expectant Mom; giver her a memory. Gifts fade in time, like late night feedings, and those cursed stretch marks. Gifts from one heart to another-they endure .

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