by Robin Canada

Created on: March 26, 2008

Baby showers can be one of two things: great fun or extremely boring. The mother can get duplicate gifts, numerous adorable little outfits, blankets, bottles, but don't you want your gift to be one she will remember? It doesn't have to be the most expensive or extravagant, but you can make it memorable with just a minimal amount of effort.

One of the best baby shower gifts I ever received was the laundry basket. Yes, a laundry basket. The baby really will need their own and it can be something overlooked. But it was not just a basket. It was full of little things that I, as a first time mother, may have forgotten to buy. There were little bottles of medicine, cotton swabs, baby shampoo and soap, a thermometer, rash ointment, newborn diapers, and wipes. I'm sure that's not all that was in there and it probably did cost more than she needed to spend but it was wonderful.

Over the years I have duplicated that gift but on a smaller scale. I get a small collapsable laundry basket and put a few things in it. A package of diapers fills it up nicely along with a few other things that I impulsively buy.

If you have the wonderful talent of knitting, an afghan or an outfit is a wonderful present.

If the baby is already born, a keepsake like a personalized pillow is a wonderful addition to any newborn's room. But make sure you create it first. Don't just get the kit for the new mommy to do. She won't have the time for quite a while and it might just sit and collect dust. I know this one by experience!

Shopping for a newborn can be so much fun. The clothes out there now are so adorable and if you know where to shop, you can get deals. You just have to know where to look. EBay can be a very useful tool if you know how to use it.

Need help with the money issue? Ok, bake some cookies to give mommy and buy a package of diapers that is a couple sizes too big. Diapers are those wonderful things that will run out eventually and mommy will always need. You could also think of getting something for daddy. So many times the dads feel left out of these events.

Happy shopping!

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