Knottie mommies help me1

kaos16

I have a luncheon coming up for a work friend who is expecting. It's not a typical shower, but I'd still like to bring a small gift, maybe $20-25 range. This friend has already had a shower or two I hear, and likely has everything under the sun for the baby. What is the thing or things that you realized after you had your baby that you wished you had gotten, or had gotten more of? I'm going to look at her registry for style ideas, but I have been told it's sold out.
Also, if it matters, they are not finding out the sex.

Maggie0829

I don't have a kid, but if I were you I would get something for the Mom, not the baby.  Maybe get her a gift card for a pedicure or a manicure.  Something that she will be able to use when she needs to take a few moments for herself.

KGold80

Maggie0829 said:

I don't have a kid, but if I were you I would get something for the Mom, not the baby.  Maybe get her a gift card for a pedicure or a manicure.  Something that she will be able to use when she needs to take a few moments for herself.

This! Pedicure!!! I couldn't easily reach my feet at the end of my pregnancy and my feet were a mess! Even a nice at-home kit would be great!

grumbledore

Maggie0829 said:

I don't have a kid, but if I were you I would get something for the Mom, not the baby.  Maybe get her a gift card for a pedicure or a manicure.  Something that she will be able to use when she needs to take a few moments for herself.

I agree with this - get something for the new mother, she will definitely appreciate it.

Inkdancer

My nephew is 6 mos and my SIL cannot get enough bottles, burp cloths, and onesies. Seriously he goes through like 3 onesies a day.

Also, check to see if they have a travel bottle warmer. The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature warmer is about $20 and it is awesome.

wandajune6

My sister is obsessed with the Aiden & Anais blankets from Target. They're sold lots of places, are some lightweight organic fabric, and they're amazing. My niece is 2 and they still use them. They're the gift that my sister buys for every new parent. Online they seem more expensive than what you wanted (~$32) but I constantly see them on clearance at my local store.

I'm not a mom but I know my sister would have loved pedicures too. She was oddly obsessed with the idea of having hobbit feet while in the hospital giving birth but couldn't see her feet.

KytchynWitche

I agree with PPs. I don't have kids, nor do I have any friends with kids geographically near enough to have attended any baby showers, but my mom's been to plenty and she always gives stuff for Mom. 

Always a little bottle of champagne, usually some bath stuff, and a good "chick lit" book (if Mom is a reader). She'd pad it out with other stuff as well if she was closer to the woman, knew her likes and dislikes, and/or felt like spending more. The champagne apparently helps a lot for lactation issues, according to my mom's doctor. Granted the advice was given in the late '80s, so who knows... 

Anyway, every one who's gotten one of my mom's Mommy-baskets has been thrilled.

larrygaga

Either a pedi or buy her a massage

BreMR

My favorite gift at my shower was a little bundle of 1 shot alcohol bottles and a pedicure.  I think that most pregnant moms don't think about gifts for themselves at showers so it's a nice surprise.

Edited to clarify: Obviously the alcohol was intended for post pregnancy

HobokensFury

swaddle blankets. I didn't think I needed then until he was born. My mom ran out to get some the day we came home.

jdluvr06

Onesies. My sister's kids went through onesies like crazy. Also bottles and bibs.

Grabows14

I always buy a huge thing of diapers and some swaddling blankets.

The mani/pedi thing sounds good, but I guess it depends on if that mom-to-be likes to do that!

banana468

Ditto a pedicure or the Aden and Anais blankets. A package of diapers in a bigger size would also be great.

mysticl

A gift card to a place that does take out. You don't want to deal with cooking those first few days home.

The thing I discovered I needed more of was newborn sized clothing and diapers.  We only had couple of clothing items in that size and no diapers because everyone who got us stuff (us included) bought into the "newborn sizes are useless" hype you hear people say.  Fortunately we were able to bring home the rest of the diaper pack from the hospital.  Then DH went shopping for clothes/diapers after we got home.  

I'm also a huge fan of Halo Sleep Sacks.  

You also can't go wrong with a gift card to Target, Babies R Us, or a similar store where she can pick up what she needs.