My ds's teacher is expecting and I was given a note from another mom that they are going to have a suprise baby shower for her in a couple weeks. She has been great with ds this year so I want to purchase a gift (instead of just doing $ for a group gift) but am trying to figure out what? She doesn't want to know if she's having a boy or a girl so I need something gender neutral. I had thought of getting a handmade blanket from my mil (she sometimes has 1 or 2 on hand) but all she has right now is purple with fishes so that doesn't quite work for either boy or girl since we don't know which.

Janell

You can't go wrong with diapers. Well I suppose you could find out if shes using cloth or sposies first but diapers and wipes are a very pratical baby shower gift that she's sure to use. If you cant find out if she's using cloth or sposies you could get her a starter kit of g-diapers.. they can be used with disposable inserts or cloth.

You could always make her up a basket of baby bath stuff...hooded towels, wash cloths, shampoo...things like that...and could even make her up a small one for herself...a little "pampering" one...maybe with a candle, relaxation CD or something. Sometimes it feels like you (as the pregnant one) gets kind of forgotten in the mix of things...and it's always nice to see that someone has thought of YOU and BABY. Just think of things you either got at your baby shower or WISH you had gotten...and go from there! Sorry I'm not more helpful!

How much are you wanting to spend?
I think gift cards are the best. I just had a shower and besides some of the big things I got, my next favorite were gift cards. You can spend them how you please!

I agree with bath stuff. You could also purchase a gift certificate for the family to get pictures taken after the baby is born. I would do a basic package and if they want to add more then they can at thier own expense. So maybe a gift card to a picture place? and a small frame for her desk for afterwards.

Gift cards rock. A recent gift that I got someone was wrap from www.mayawrap.com because the stores never sell the one's that are truly great quality.

You could also purchase a gift certificate for the family to get pictures taken after the baby is born. I would do a basic package and if they want to add more then they can at thier own expense. So maybe a gift card to a picture place? and a small frame for her desk for afterwards.

I think this is one of the best ideas I've ever heard of for a baby shower. Sometimes family photos fall way down on the priority list and diapers shoot way up. Great idea, Esther!

Thanks Madre!

I was going to mention also, a prenatal massage is always nice. I just had one, and they had a special pillow where you can lay on your tummy. That alone was a treat. It took so much pressure off my lower spine. and this is something she may never treat herself to.

BOOKS!!!!! A basket of breastfeeding, childcare and children's books. (Womanly Art, Sears Baby Book etc)
Sandra Boynton board books are awesome. And they are perfectly gender neutral. Others I was very happy to receive: Dr Suess board books, Guess how much I love you, I'll love you forever.
I loved getting books and even appreciated the used ones (childcare etc) that my friends gathered out of their collections for me.
Hope she has fun at the shower.
d:)

I would say a 'womb' animal or lovey. We had gotten one for our son before he was born and he stills carries it around today (without the womb part). Ours is a classic pooh, but you might find something cute and cudley out there.

All of these ideas are great. I like doing baby baskets or baby bathtubs full of stuff. Gift cards are really great as well. Also a cute idea and you can get a variety of ideas of the internet....diaper cakes....a friend had one at her shower and they knew they were having a girl and it was done in pink and brown....and had bows and ribbon around it to hold it all together and rattles and bibs and bottles and all kinds of baby stuff on it....it was so cute

so many great ideas!!

I think as a mom, my fav things were the bath basket, a laundry basket with gentle laundry detergent, towels, etc... I liked having new towels and a new nasket for baby, but I never would have thought to buy one!

And prenatal massage... that can be used before or after baby comes!!!!! After my C, I had two massages, they rocked my world! Totally took away that terrible muscle soreness and I healed a lot faster.

Gift cards are always nice cause there's always something you 'need' after baby comes home!

(and PS, don't forget Babylegs! LOL)