by Kristi Walker

Created on: July 16, 2007

Originality: Priceless!

To be a truly GREAT gift, then it must be original and personal, something specifically for THAT Mommy. Anyone can go check out the Mom-to-be's register and pick something up. Something that I find really stands out, is a combination of both of these.

The first step, is, of course, to check out the items that the mother has registered at her department store of choice. Have the sales person print you out a list of the items that remain to be purchased. Try to get the items that most people over look. Like infant clippers for those tiny hands. Another good one is one that even most moms-to-be overlook: gas drops. There are a few different brands to choose from and they all work well. We used Milocan. These are antacids for infants. Every baby gets gas and most have it regularly. These will, almost immediately, give them relief. If helps a little with colicky babies, too!

And make sure to pick up at least one package of diapers. Preferable not newborn size. Most newborns don't wear these at all and if they do, they only wear them for a week or so. Pick up size one diapers that babies will wear for the first few months after they're born.

Now, on to the personalized part of your gift. My most recent friend to have a baby, loved pictures. I bought a large wooden picture frame and snapped some pictures of her while she was pregnant. Then, I decoupaged pictures of her and her hubby all around the wooden frame. I blew up the pregnant photo of her and put it in the frame. It actually made her cry!

If your expectant Mom is a sports fan, buy little sports outfits to put in your gift bag. Or better yet, present your gift in a little red wagon with the child's first nerf football and the other traditional gifts!

You know the parents and what they like. A great gift to their newborn will fit with who they are AND be useful. Put some thought into the gift and the presentation. Concentrate on the couples likes, not your own.

Finally, make sure you know the theme of their nursery. You can make wonderful gifts that fit with their theme. One of the best baby gifts I received didn't have anything to do with my baby. For our first child, we had a classic pooh themed nursery. My best friend had really taken note and acted accordingly. She hand made a paper mache pooh that was almost 3 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide with a hanger on the back. It hung on the vacant wall facing the crib. I was so touched by the time and effort that she took that I STILL have that Pooh! It was beautiful and my son loved it. She also bought many classic Pooh books for reading and she presented her gifts in a Pooh themed waste basket for diapers! And, of course, she bought the oldie but still the best goodie, a case of diapers!

Remember, it really is the thought that makes GREAT gifts GREAT!

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