Frugal Baby Gifts
My family has celebrated the births of 5 babies this month--and Frugal Hacks' own Kim C. may well add #6 to my list! Naturally, I've been busy thinking of meaningful baby gifts that don't break the bank.
Once Mom acquires the basic baby supplies, she may welcome time and effort more than another blanket. Here are a few ideas that will work on almost any budget:
- If you have a good camera, offer to take, edit, and email photos of the new baby.
- Deliver a frozen meal in advance.
- Tackle a troublesome job, like cleaning that tiny bath that no pregnant woman can bend to scrub.
- Take the other children to the park so Mom can nap.
- Babysit so that Mom & Dad can have time alone before baby arrives.
- Make a gift certificate for laundry service (yours!)
- Who doesn't appreciate a garden bouquet and a thoughtful note?
I'm not crafty, so service- and food-related gifts work best for me. What's your go-to baby gift on a budget?
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10 Responses to “Frugal Baby Gifts”
May 31st, 2010 at 8:27 am
I am a heavy coupon user, so I like to stash baby grooming items with I can get them for a $1 or less, I also reuse gift bags, so I like to keep a bag of baby soap,lotion and wipes on hand. I am crafty so I also like to have flannel receiving blankets in sizes that can be used after the first week, I hate how small store bought baby blankets are. Handmade thank you cards are a great addition for family members. A stack of crocheted baby hats are frugal, 3 colors and balls can make hats for several babies.
Recently my mom found a pattern for amish puzzle balls, a great way to use scrap fabric, not exactly a new born toy, but one that will be used as soon as they start grabbing things
May 31st, 2010 at 9:05 am
I keep my eyes peeled for Robeez leather baby shoes at places like Goodwill, and I can often get them for a little more than a $1 in pristine condition. They retail for near $30, and they’re very well received as a gift
.
I have a pair of Robeez ivory winter boots that I picked up for $1.99, and they retail here for more than $40 so I was very happy! They’ll make a nice gift.
May 31st, 2010 at 12:12 pm
I love to give a copy of Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp, maybe wrapped in a pretty baby blanket.
I pick up new or like-new copies of the book when I come across them and keep them on hand for such occasions. I also add board books in our favorite titles when we can find them in like-new condition: Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, The Going to Bed Book, etc.
June 1st, 2010 at 1:07 pm
As a former English teacher, I’m BIG on fostering a love of reading in children. So my go-to gift is always board books. It’s something most people don’t think to give, and as they’re often somewhat expensive, it saves the parents some money from having to buy so many in the future. I can almost always find brand-new board books at Half-Price Books. And sometimes I can get some great deals by watching ads and using coupons. Last year I stocked up on some board book collections of stories from the Old and New Testaments. Nine books in each set, and I think I paid only $7 for each set. I got them at Family Christian and used one of their 25%-off entire purchase coupons along with a sale.
June 1st, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Mine are a little weird. I have discovered that the good nose-suckys like they give you at the hospital are impossible to find and store-bought ones are useless. Once after struggling through a horrific cold with a 6 month old, I finally went online to a medical supply store and bought a whole bunch of medical-grade ones. I have some left over (the day they learn to blow their own nose = hallelujah!), and I give them away to new moms.
What? I told you it was weird.
Plus, I like to put in the best diaper rash cream ever – Dr. Smiths, and a soothing music CD.
June 1st, 2010 at 7:43 pm
I love to give books, too! But service gifts are the best – I know how much help a new mom needs and it’s so hard to ask for help, so I usually bring a freezer meal and say “when I drop this off I’d like to either clean your kitchen or do some laundry for you – which would help you more.” And anytime I’m going to visit I call to ask if she needs anything from the store – it’s so hard to get out of the house with a little one!
June 4th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
I like your ideas, and I like the idea from kimc about wrapping a book in a blanket.
I am crafty
so I usually make several flannel burpcloths. They’re practical and I can make them tasteful and unique. I saw a neat idea at Modobject at home for making a onesie into a dress for a little girl – I might try that next time. Plain onesies are very cheap, and I have plenty of small scraps to use for a skirt.
June 8th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Hurray, as someone about to give birth any day now, let me just tell you that if some one came and offered to mop my kitchen floor, I think I would just cry. Or taking the other kids would be so awesome. Yes you can come and do laundry for me. A pedicure? Of course I would love a pedicure. I haven’t been able to reach my feet for weeks.
June 18th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Great Tips! I agree with all of them but Taking the other children to the park so Mom can nap. IS THE BEST!!
June 21st, 2010 at 1:56 am
My favorite baby gift to give is a blanket made from two yards of fabric (one in flannel and the other in either cotton or satin like material). I try to match the colors with things I know the mom likes and not “baby” colors and prints. I can usually find the fabrics in the discount section of the local fabric shop and the total cost is under $5. Sometimes I crochet a small item as well – I have frequently been told that my gift is the only hand made one they received and it is extra special due to that (and I probably spent the least).
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