Gift Ideas for the Around-the-Clock Baby Shower
Giving each guest a "time" theme for their shower gift is a great way to make sure all the new baby's needs (and the mom's!) are met, morning and night. It's also a useful way to ensure that the mom-to-be won't receive too many duplicate gifts. You'll be surprised at some of the creative ideas guests come up with for their gifts, but if you want to help inspire them, enclose a few suggestions with the invitations.
How to Assemble
- A galvanized metal bucket (can become bath-toy storage later!)
- A soft cotton bath wrap or infant-sized towel
- A cotton washcloth or bath mitt
- Baby-safe bubble bath
- Body wash for infants (it usually doubles as shampoo)
- Vitamin E oil or infant-safe body lotion
- A waterproof picture book
- Bath squirties or a waterproof rattle
Changing Time
- A caddy with a handle (look for rattan, wood and metal styles)
- A few infant-sized diapers (cloth or disposable)
- Diaper cream and talc-free baby powder
- A cotton changing-mat cover
- A wipes warmer
- A package of cotton balls
- A rattle, thumbie or small plush toy
- A bottle
Play Time
- A portable basket or canvas bucket
- A music box or musical plush animal
- A CD of kids' songs
- A couple of books (black-and-white ones are great for newborns)
- Soft blocks with textures and sounds
- A plush stacking toy
- A couple of soft toys designed to hang from stroller or car-seat handles
- A soft mirror
Sleepy Time
- A large, soft-sided storage container (perfect for holding blankets later)
- A plush animal that emits white noise or heartbeat sounds
- A blanket (choose from throws, stroller-sized styles or swaddling blankets)
- A mobile (look for styles that twirl and play music)
- A music box
- A lullaby CD
- A baby monitor
- A couple of storybooks
Snack Time
- A basket or caddy
- A couple of bibs and burp cloths
- A bottle
- A baby-food cookbook
- A freezer tray for individual portions of homemade baby food
- Some portable snack containers
- BPA- and phthalate-free dishes and spoons
- A nursing cover for the mom-to-be
Story Time
- A basket with a cotton liner
- Board books
- Soft books
- Books with textures or other touch-and-feel features
- Black-and-white books for infants
- A blanket