Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Norma,
    
    What I got that I thought was really helpful was a box filled with
    thing that you can use for the baby.  Such as bottles, big and small,
    a box of rice cereal (this is the first cereal that baby's can eat)
    small jars of fruits and veggies, baby spoon (rubber tiped) pacifier,
    bibs, cloth diapers (I use these as shoulder covers when burping the
    baby) and a lot of other neat stuff.  If you don't want to use a box
    you can put the stuff in a diaper bag or a diaper pail.  Also you can
    cut out all the coupons with no experation date or a date that expires
    after the baby is born.  This was one of the best gifts taht I got at
    my shower and my son is 7 1/2 months old.  The best gift I got was a
    hand made Cherry wood craddel taht my dad made for me.
    
    
    hope this helps.
    
    
    Liz

    A few gifts that I have given are:
    
    *  The current issue of PARENTS magazine with a note attached that
       states that I have ordered a 1 yr. gift subscription for her
    
    *  The "What To Expect The First Year" book
    
    *  Bigger things:  Car Seat, Baby Swing
    
    Some of the favorite gifts I received for my shower were:
    
    *  Infant Car Seat, High Chair, Diaper bag filled with t-shirts,
       toiletries, and lots of cloth diapers for burp-cloths
    
    Also, baby books and photo albums are nice...there are lots of
    possibilities out there.  Just think about what *YOU'D* really
    enjoy getting and go from there!
    
    Good luck!  Linda
    

    BABY SWING!!!!!!! can't live without it!
    
    Carriage - for a couple of people to chip in on perhaps.
    
    Baby Snuggle sac
    
    Crawl Space or Playpen
    
    Sassy seat type chair that hooks to the table
    
    Travel crib if appropriate
    
    Car seat or Infant seat
    
    Of course baby clothes are great.  Baby bottles, dishes and diaper
    bags.  Then there's the baby's room to think of, like sheets and
    bumpers for the crib or quilts.
    
    Don't forget you can think a bit long term here too.  Think of things
    they may need when the baby is 12 months or 18 months, or even 2 years. 
    A walker, or gaits, or a Jolly Jumper, or an Umbrella stroller.
    
    One word of advice ( this is sort of an annoyance for me) if you are
    buying clothes for the baby, and you are buyin for when they are, let's
    say, 1 year old, think of the season they will be one year old in and
    add six months.  For instance, if the baby is born in July this year,
    think summer clothes for an 18 month old size.  I got plenty of shorts
    outfits that would of fit my little guy in January!  The thought was
    very much appreciated, but he never wore the outfits!
    

    For first babies, be *practical*.  Yes, stuffed animals are cute, but
    first time parents need *essentials*.
    
    Try to snoop out what they need.  Perhaps they've already gotten the
    "big" stuff, or maybe they're getting them loaned to them.
    
    The season the baby will be born in makes a difference, too.  Winter
    babies need lots of warm sleepers, hats, thick blankets, etc. while
    summer babies need sun hats, lots of onesies, t-shirts, etc.
    
    My favorite gifts?  Well, the first time around, it was the
    hand-crocheted blankets I received.  For number 2, it was the gift
    certificate for dinner *out*.  For number 3, it was a hand-knitted
    pram.  It was *great*-- just a big sack with a hat, closed bottom, 
    and a zipper.  Just stuff the baby's legs in, zip, and go!  Carter's
    also makes sleep sacks like this-- *ideal* for winter babies.  The one
    drawback to the pram was that it was kinda hard to close the buckle
    on the car seat with all of that stuff between his legs...
                                 

    I have to agree with .3.  My daughter was born in October and for
    Christmas, someone gave her a beautiful and (I'm sure) very expensive
    snow suit.  The size was 12 months.  Needless to say it's something
    I'll never use.  She's wearing 12 month clothes now and she certainly
    doesn't need a snow suit in the summer!  Also, don't forget that just
    because something says "12 months" means it will fit a 12 month old.
    My friend's little boy is 7 months old and is wearing clothes that
    are size 18 months.  Personally, I prefer clothes that are labled
    with poundage.
    
    One of my favorite baby shower gifts was a Fisher Price Nursery
    Monitor.  Also, Gerber Onesies of all sizes.  Forget about getting
    the newborn ones because they outgrow them in about 2 days.  I used
    the next size up (small) from the time my daughter was born until
    just a few weeks ago.  They're a great thing to have because you
    can use them no matter what time of the year it is.  On hot nights,
    she sleeps in them instead of jammies.
    
    - Kathryn
    

    I'd be very cautious about buying any of the big ticket items where
    the parents-to-be may have particular preferences.   The last thing
    a very pregnant couples wants to be doing is running around exchanging
    the carseat they got for the one that they really wanted!   The same
    thing goes for bedding and decorative items...make sure they suit
    the nursery plan/color scheme.
    
    The most practical gift that I DIDN'T receive was onesies....had to
    go out and get them after Jason was born...the t-shirts just didn't
    cut it.   I received and used alot of baby washclothes (didn't want
    to use wipes on that brand-new bum!).   Other favorite gifts included
    anything hand-made (blankets, sweaters, etc), a carriage (the one
    my husband and I selected!), a car seat, a beatrix potter baby album,
    jeez, all sorts of nice things!
    

    The best thing we received was the Monitor.  Other great things were
    towels, washclothes and cloth diapers (for burping).  One thing that 
    I ended up having to buy that I have found to be very handy, was baby 
    hangers.  We don't have much dresser space but lots of closet space and 
    Target carries the hangers 12 for $1.49.  I have started putting them 
    with baby gifts and get wonderful responses.  
    
    The other major thing we found we needed was the Onesies.  They are
    great as the T-shirts always slide up.  I too would suggest buying
    small or mediums as the clothes just don't last long enough not do to
    anything but the kids growing sooooo fast. 

    My son is 10 weeks old and his bureau is loaded with summer
    clothes(size 12mos.& 18mos.) that the poor kid will never get
    to wear because those clothes are too big now and next year 
    they'll be too small. I feel bad because of the money, time,
    and thought that people put into this but what can I do. The
    gifts that I really liked were the onesies,t-shirts,diapers,
    bibs,cloth diapers, and a handknitted sweater. The things I
    needed but never got from my shower,I went out and got myself
    with the money I received for the baby so, I made out pretty
    well. Oh, I also think that "WHAT TO EXPECT THE FIRST YEAR" is
    a great book as a gift ,also a baby milestone book is another
    great gift. Good luck.   Diana
    

    My favorite baby gifts:
    
    *A gift certificate to Raschel's (if you are not in Massachusetts,
     any other children's clothing store)  Raschel's will do certificates 
     in any amount. 
    
    *A bouncy chair - don't remember the offical name, but is the same
     little seat that was used in "Three Men and a Baby." It is great for 
     an infant who can't hold her/his head up.  I can try to find out what
     it is called if you are interested.
    
    *a gift certificate for Mom to get a manicure and pedicure. 
    
    Alexandra was my first, and I really liked getting practical gifts
    (although the manicure/pedicure was WONDERFUL).  I could not believe 
    how much STUFF you need for a baby.
    
    Have fun,
    Penny
    

    
    .8 I think it was....what to do with stuff that is the wrong size
    at the wrong season.   This may sound gauche but recycle it!  i.e.
    pass it along to someone else as a baby gift or donate to a teenage
    mother's program or put on consignment somewhere.
    
    cj/

Don't forget the classic book, "Babies and Other Hazards of Sex", by Dave 
Barry.  Sometimes it's in the humor section, and sometimes it's in the baby 
section of the bookstore.  In case you're not familiar with Dave Barry, he is 
a Pulitzer Prize winning humorist.  "Babies ... Sex" is one of the funniest 
books I've ever read.  Either get it ahead of time so you can read it too, or 
get two copies and keep one.

re: .6 Big ticket items where there may be a preference

Might be nice if whoever is throwing the shower keeps track of any special 
preferences and/or who is getting what.  One thing we appreciated was that my 
wife's parents told us ahead of time that they were going to buy the carseat, 
and we all went to shop for it.  Also since I (the dad) knew we were already 
getting it, I would warn folks who were throwing showers that we already had 
one.  Also, as you point out, very pregnant people shouldn't have to run 
around exchanging stuff, so would be nice if people who get duplicates do the 
exchanges themselves.  

I agree with the notes on practicality.  Give a cute outfit or giant stuffed 
animal, and you will be appreciated at the shower.  Give a bunch or receiving 
blankets or waterproof flannel pads, and you will be appreciated for many, 
many months.

Clay

    A Fisher Price bathtub and a sponge cushion to put inside.
    
    For my girlfriend, I got a whicker (sp?) laundry basket (The Christmas
    Tree Shop has them for 3.99)  and made a home from the hospital
    kit:
    line the basket with a receiving blanket 
    Cans of formula
    sterilized bottles (I boiled them for 5 min.)
    Newborn pacifiers
    Bottle brush
    Dr. SPock or equivalent favorite
    wipes (don't get the kind in the round tubs. They are TOO thin)
    diapers (cloth for burping and disposables in a small package)
    nursing pads (boy do you need these!)
    Sanitary napkins (wrapped discretley)
    (tie different ribbons on severl things to make it look pretty...I
    tied big bows on each handle....there is a ribbon shop in Shrewsbury
    Village that has every type of ribbon imaginable)
                                             
    Also, for future Mum....
    
    A nursing nightgown for the hospital
    
    A toiletry kit (buy an inexspensive colorful makup bag and fill
    with the trial size of necessities including:
    
    shampoo,creme rinse, moisturizer, chapstick (for those chapped Lmaze
    lips), sour lolipops or drops, toothpaste, face soap, travel toothbrush,
    deoderant, a thick pair of socks for cold feet in labor (i hated
    those foam rubber slippers they had!)...and anything else you think
    she might need.
    
    My girlfriend loved this, and when she ended up going into labor a month
    early she had this already to take to the hospital with her.
    
    Oh, and a suggestion for party favors at the shower...we got little
    soaps shaped like pink and blue teddies, and yellow ducks and wrapped
    them in netting and tied with ribbon....these went over very well.
    
    You can also make a darling corsage for the Mum-to-be out of baby
    socks. I'd have to go into more detail....if you'd like to know how to 
    do it tube me a note. 
                    
    hope this helps.
    
    Dot (Gee, I should go into the business!)
                                                   
    

	I tend to give either a handknitted or crocheted baby afghan 
or a care package (or in rare cases both).  

	The care package always has 3-5 onesies/piluchos in sizes small and 
medium.  In addition to that it contains a variety of the following: flannel 
covered plastic sheets, medicine dropper and/or spoon, a package of extra
rings/caps for baby bottles, the pull-over-the-head-made-out-of-a-hand-towel
type of bib (sometimes with the name or a design cross-stitched on it), 
packages of scented bags to dispose of yucky diapers in while on the go, 
a small wipe container for the diaper bag, spoons with rubber covered bowls, 
and so on.  We tend to pick out things that were given to us that we thought at
that time "why would we want this?" only to find out later on that it was 
absolutely indispensible.  

	We tend to stay away from toys/stuffed animals.  Our child has so many 
stuffed animals that it would be absolutely ludicrous for us to buy her another
but you know, we really would have liked to have picked out a few...  Generally 
we stick to the practical stuff and leave the fun stuff to the parents to buy.

	I would suggest that you stay away from the really fancy outfits.
Gary and I are not fond of dressing Katie in the stereotypical pink and frilly,
so we didn't tend to appreciate that kind of gift as much and even the outfits
that were blue and/or cute without being godawful fussy didn't get worn much, 
because 1) we got so many 2) she grew so fast 3) we never go anywhere :-).

Tracey

Here's my complete list of newborn "necessitites". These may or may not
be "necessities", depending on who you talk to.  I wish we got things
like Tylenol and Pedialyte. We ended up having to buy them the
1st time Matt got sick (which happened in the middle of the night!)  

     vaporizer or humidifier
     car seat
     playpen
     baby carrier (back-pack)
     coat (depending on season)
     swing
     stroller
     high chair
     walker
     doorway jumper
     crib & mattress
     mattress pad
     mattress cover
     changing table
     changing table cover (quilted pad)
     crib sheets
     10 - 12 sleepers
     wash cloths
     hooded towels
     diaper bag
     disposable diapers
     12 cloth diapers
     neck/head rest (for car seat or carrier)
     booties
     stuffed animals
     plastic bottles & nipples
     bottle brush
     pacifiers
     tub 
     electric feeding dish (I never used mine, I used the microwave)
     brush/comb
     oil, lotion, shampoo, powder
     socket guards
     musical mobile
     quilt/bumper/dust ruffle for crib
     bibs
     baby spoons
     Rock-A-Roo carrier
     socks
     receiving blankets
     crib blankets
     buntings
     monitor
     bonnet
     rattles and squeak toys
     Onesies 
     sweater
     thermometer
     Desatin
     Orajel
     Pedialyte
     Tylenol

    The response has been great!! Thanks to all of you for the ideas!!
    The shower isn't until next Saturday, 23-June, so if you come up with
    any more, let me know!!
    
    I am also getting little tid-bits of info for when I shop for my own
    baby. First time Mom's can't think of everything!!
    
    Thanks again,
    Norma

    Norma,
    
    I can't believe no one has mentioned this.  I got quick and
    easy recipes that me or my husband can make in a flash.  To
    parlay this idea, how about a coupon book of how many coupons
    you want to put in it to redeem for (1) free dinner per coupon.  
    I sure know the value of a good home cooked meal right after 
    you've had the baby.  It was one thing I didn't have to think about.
            
    Another thing that I LOVE are the pull-over bibs.  It is really
    hard with my 4 month old, Danny, to tie the bib or snap it behind
    his neck. The pull-over bibs are long and quick and easy.  I
    got a couple at an arts and crafts show this past weekend.  You
    can also find them at your department store also.
    
    			* Shelly *

    I just thought of something else.  When you buy baby shirts, be sure
    they have snaps on the side of the collar-- not just pullovers.
    Some babies (*all* of my babies!) have very big heads, so even though
    the size loked okay number-wise, I couldn't get it over the baby's
    head!
    
    Along the same lines, when you buy pants, check for snaps on the legs.
    It's a real pain to have to completely undress the kid at every diaper
    change...

    Seems there is so much to buy for babies and so much you need!
    The standing joke in the family is about mommy being a pack mule,
    between the baby, diaper bag, stroller, purse, carseat, etc. that
    HAS to go everytime we leave the house.  Here are some of my favorites
    and/or things I wish I would have received:
    
    Lots of bibs with velcro closures
    Disposable bibs
    Syrup of Ipecac
    Mylicon drops
    Saline nose drops
    A sturdy diaper bag (my first one wore out in 3 months due to daily
      trips out, I then went to using a HEAVY canvas bag that was a
      freebie from DEC)
    Coupons
    Baby washcloths
    Bottles and bottle liners
    Monitor
    Story books for our nightly story time since Josh was born
    Olivia Newton John's new lullaby tape
    Socks
    Sweat suits-heavy for winter, light for summer--Josh will not crawl
      on some surfaces if his knees are uncovered
    Wind breaker jacket with hood
    Caldesene powder
    Sunscreen for little ones
    Medicine spoon
    handkerchiefs(much better than kleenex on those tender noses)
    A coupon hand written for a night of babysitting
    A week paid at daycare of my choice
    child care books
    a baby brush/comb set
    
    and please----no more lotion, oil, or powder--I've got enough to
    last until Joshua graduates!
    
    pam
    
    

    Our first baby is due in October and reading through this was really
    interesting.  If only all my friends could read it too!  
    
    One thing I'd thought of that could be really good is a photograph
    album, film and voucher for getting the first film developed.  And
    perhaps most importantly a voucer for all the reprints you have to get
    of the first really good photo that gets sent to everybody.     
    
    Sue

    My wife came up with this list.
    
    Fisher Price monitor (buy extra AC adapters, FP has an 800 number
    where you can get their catalog, we've gone through tons of 9V
    batteries in just three months).  If you don't buy extra AC adapters,
    then buy extra 9V batteries.
    
    Film for the parents' camera
    
    Olin Mills or other photographers gift certificates
    
    If the parents have a video camera that the will be sending cassettes
    to the grandparents, then buy extra cassettes and mailers.
    
    Blank photo albums
    
    Electric socket plugs
    
    Picture frames
    
    Hypoallergenic baby wipes
    
    Gift certificate for a Red Cross infant/child CPR class
    
    Dreft or Ivory Snow
    
    "Perfectly Safe" catalog with gift certificate
    
    Some of things that we got, that we didn't like or need:
    
    	Frou-Frou dresses (we knew we were having a girl)  These were
    	undoubtedly well-intentioned, but were useless.
    
    
    Mark and Paula
    
    
    
    

    I'm surprised that no one mentioned this (unless I read to fast)
    - a baby bath tub. Mine was the Fisher Price and I loved it. Practical
    but not all that expensive.
    
    As a few notes said, watch the big ticket items because many first
    time parents (myself included) knew exactly what we wanted. We were
    sticking with the Fisher Price line for playpens, gates, swings,
    highchair. Maybe you can just find out what bpreference they might
    have, then you are safer to shop. Otherwise, gift certificates are
    great.
    
    Let me take a different approach. Here's a list of things I either
    got too much of or never used.
    
    Baby Powder
    Baby Oil (I used it on to tan instead)
    Receiving Blankets - I got 12 of them  but one of my curest wrapped
    	presents was wrapped in a receiving blanket and "taped" with
    	diaper pins
    Regular Blankets - I got 8 of them but found that I survived with
     	the knitted ones that were snugglier and 2 favorites
    
    Other then that I used just about everything. 
    
    Favorites are the room monitor, baby albums and "fact" recorder,
    clothes from size 6 months up for the exact season. My grandmother
    gave me a case of Ivory soap (too drying for a baby's skin, but
    we grew into it and may never see the end of the case). 
    
    A diaper pail is a great idea. Include a box of diapers and pail
    liners. I got 2 diaper bags - one was absolutely beautiful and the
    other was covered with Mickey Mouse. Although Mickey Mouse is cute,
    I carried the other one with me. It was bigger. I could take it
    shopping and put purchases in it. I had enough room in it to only
    have to pack one bag when we went away for a whole day from numerous
    changes of clothes, diapers, bottles and food.
    
    Have a fun shower.
    Andrea

    You might want to take into account the economic standing of the
    parents.  If they're less well off, you might want to consider
    things that will be sure to be useful farther down the road --
    things like unisex bib overalls in size 1, which will be usable
    whether the baby reaches size 1 in winter or summer -- rather than
    extras like swings and baby bathtubs.  
    
    --bonnie

    Just my 2 cents--I never used my baby bathtub, preferred the kitchen
    sink until Josh was big enough for the tub, and the baby tub sits
    in the garage gathering dust.  It was just to akward and heavy when
    filled with water plus it took up soooo much space(don't have enough
    of that in my kitchen as it is.
    
    Couldn't have lived without the swing and walker, though.  However,
    the swing was outrageously expensive for the amount of time it was
    used (about 6-7 months).  And what do you do when they are too big
    for it?  Ours sits in the garage waiting for the next baby (someday
    in the distant future).  Clothes I can part with and pass on, but
    not something so expensive.
    
    

    I forgot to mention this one....
    
    One thing I found so valuable was a baby comforter. I actually got 2
    and both were used heavily. They are great for padding the bottom of a
    playpen or portable crib (which are usually just covered in plastic) 
    and for wrapping over and around the baby in their stroller (little 
    babies look so lost in their big strollers). I used it alot when we
    were outside during the warm weater to lay the baby on - better then a
    blanket because grass blades couldn't poke through and more padding and
    insulation as well. I also ordered a real crib 
    comforter from The Company Store, a catalog store specializing in 
    comforters. It was down filled (may cause allergies in some kids - be 
    careful) and was really crib size - warm during the winter and cool 
    during the summer. It was too big to be kicked off at night because it
    could be tucked in.
    
    Those cute baby pillows have no use for infants and by the time the
    child is ready to use a pillow, it is too small. 
    
    Another good gift item it a gift certificate for a diaper service if
    they are planning on using cloth diapers. Maybe even a gift certificate
    to a wallpaper and paint store to help with decorating the nursery if
    they haven't done so already. Yet another, if you are into embroidery
    or crewel or handi-crafts, make something personal for the nursery -
    birth announcements, pictures that coordinate with the theme of the
    room, etc. 

    I like to give(and receive) books for shower gifts.  For the parents, I
    usually include a Dr. Spock and maybe "The Read-Aloud Handbook".  For
    the baby, always a "Pat the Bunny" and a small book with animals. 
    Other books I often include are:
    	- Richard Scary's Best Word Book 
    	- A Mother Goose
    	- "Freight Train", by Frank Crews (Good for learning colors)
    	- Other classics, like any of the Frances books by Hoban, "The
    	  Little Engine that Could", "Cat in the Hat", etc.
    
    Also, I prefer a Baby's 1st Year Calendar to a baby book.  My husband
    and I found that we were more conscientious about recording all the
    "firsts" when that calendar was staring at us every day.
    
    Gail

    I have a little different situation...
    
    A guy that I work with has just become a father for the fifth time (!)
    and all of the children are girls.  Our department would like to get a
    gift, but we're having a hard time figuring out what to get.  Did any
    of you get any gifts for a non-first baby that you particularly liked?
    Thanks.
    
                                                Tracy

    Depending on how close this baby is to her siblings, they might
    need extras of any of the larger items.
    
    David was 6 years after Steven, so we already had most of the
    stuff and Steven didn't need any of it any more.  The things we
    expecially enjoyed getting for David were the in-between priced
    things -- not the everyday stuff that we had to buy anyway and not
    the hand-me-down necessities, but things like comforters and crib
    mobiles that are nice but not worth our buying new ones when he
    can just use the ones Steven outgrew.  
    
    Getting something like that that was just for the new baby seemed
    a little more special somehow.  One of my favorites came from a
    friend of ours -- it's a piggy bank shaped like a baby bottle, and
    it has David's name on it.  
    
    --bonnie

    re: .26
    
    How about cash, gift certificates, or savings bonds?  I know it
    may sound like an easy way out, but this way the parents can
    get what they really need or put the money away for the baby's
    education.
    
    - K
    

    Here's my list of tried and true baby things.  As a sort of interesting
    side note, I haven't had need to buy any baby gifts for ages, and
    within the last 3 or 4 weeks I've had 6 relatives and friends giving
    birth to everything from a 5lb preemie to an almost 11 pound on timer!
    Boy have I had lots of fun!
    
    I always "wrap" these in a receiving blanket or sheet, and use baby
    safety pins as tape.
    
    The Baby Minder monitor.  Mine had no external antenna, which was great
    for portability.
    
    A Cart-A-Kid, it's a fabric covered foam thing that goes into the seat
    part of a shopping cart to fit from newborns to toddlers.  I can't
    count how many people stopped me to ask where I got mine (Child World
    is where I found it)
    
    Have also give those head supports that go into car seats, carries etc. 
    The last one I gave was the girl's second, she's keeping one in the car
    and one in the carrier.
    
    I too will occationally buy clothes, but at least 6 months beyond the
    age, and of course calculating for the weather during that season.  I
    find things like snow suits indispensable, I also give a set of kid
    print twin size sheets, with or without a coordinating quilt, for that all
    important second birthday, as they progress from crib to "big-person bed".  

re: .26 (gift for non-first baby)  Non-first babies (and this one is the 5th?)
sometimes miss out on "keepsake" gifts, like Bonnie described.  One relative
gave Kathleen a Beatrix Potter mug/bowl/plate set that is beautiful and we
bought her a silver baby cup with her name on it.  Stuff to have forever.


re: original topic: 

For a family (first-baby) shower recently, I wrote to all the mom-to-be's 
family and asked for advice.  I sent small slips of paper to each person 
attending the shower (the women came, but I addressed it to the family) along
with a stamped, addressed envelope to make it to easy to miss.  They sent 
back the greatest advice!  I put this in a book, along with articles and
comic strips from magazines.  It was sort of like a book-long collage.  One
page was just conflicting advice!  It came out great.

    Since I entered the basenote, the shower has come and gone. I want to
    thank all of you who posted gift suggestions. 
    
    As I mentioned earlier, I am expecting my first child in October, so
    keep the ideas/suggetsions/advise coming in!!
    
    Thanks again,
    Norma

    re: .0
    
    Other shower niceties:
    
    A box of thank-you notes
    Baby detergent to wash all those new clothes

Be cautious of the thank-you notes.  We had friends who thought that thank you
notes or blank announcements would be a good gift.  Unfortunately, we had
already ordered them.  As a matter of fact we had placed the order sans data
before Melissa was born.  Those kinds of things can be a very personal choice
and may not be a great gift.

Dick

Along the lines of 'be practical', after having kids you will
find that you are constantly picking food and trash off the
floor.  I suggest a HOKEY floor sweeper.....they are the size
of a small broom and work REALLY well.

bob

Re -.1

Talking about picking food up off the floor, how about the plastic 'mats/sheets'
that are available for under the High Chair, and for under the car seat in the
car.  With a braided rug under the table in the dining room, we swear by our
mat!  Especially with  MooMoo the Tosser with any and every food around 
(especially blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries - you know the messy 
ones).

It is something that it pays having ahead of time - not waiting till they've
dumped the bowl of cheerrios and milk on the rug/floor.

FWIW -

Minda

    My favorite, different, shower gift is to give a gift certificate
    for a photographer.  Olin Mills has a 'Watch me Grow' gift certificate
    that allows either 3 or 4 sittings over the course of either 12
    or 18 months.  You get the sitting (usually $35.) plus a free 8x10.
    (They will try to sell you more but you aren't obligated.)
    
    I've given this present ($18.) several times and it was a unique
    hit every time.  I've also included a picture frame if I wanted
    to be more generous.
    
    Olin Mills does do a good job with kids......

    I recently attended a baby shower where a few friends brought in a HUGE
    basket full of individually wrapped presents A-Z.  At first I thought,
    OH GOD I have to sit here through 26 gifts... but it turned out to be a
    lot of fun... the gifts were small - A is for Apple Juice, B is for
    Bib, etc.  The crowd ended up having a lot of fun anticipating what
    would be in some of the gifts. (XYZ were toughies - thank goodness for
    Zwiebeck cookies!) Each gift was wrapped in pastel paper
    with a big A, B, or C on it so that she'd know which one to open next.
    
    Now, of course, this means extra work for the person (people) giving
    the gift... but the "showeree" actually ended up with a lot of very
    useful things.
                    

    re: .37   
    Thanks for the great idea!
    carol/

    
    
    	Does anyone have ideas for new or innovative shower "favors"
    	that are reasonably priced?
    
    	We were considering going with chocolates (buying a chocolate
    	mold with different patterns) etc. because it seemed the
    	least expensive.
    
    	I'd like to have something unique yet not costly.  Paperworld
    	in Worcester had a BUNCH of favors and although they are
    	cheap (.25 - $1.50), if you multiply it times 50, it can get
    	to be $20+!
    
    	Thanks!
    	/Kim

   re: .39
   
   This is just a comment, so take it for what its worth...
   
   Be sure to look at what it will really cost you to make the
   chocolates before you write off the idea of buying stuff from the
   stores.  While I don't make chocolates, I do enjoy cooking, and
   doing little stuff like that can add up faiely quickly.  Especially
   if you are looking for something under $20 for 50 people.
   
   - Tom

    re: .39
    
    Hmmm...I've never been to a baby shower where favors were given
    (only bridal showers)...guess I don't keep with the right crowd :-).
    But anyways, I think the chocolates are a nice idea.   Most of
    the stuff that I've received at bridal showers, while a nice 
    gesture, has ultimately ended up in the garbage can!
    
    Carol

    For my baby shower my mom made little carriages out of yarn and that
    plastic matting, like needle point? (Can you tell I'm not into crafts?)
    They were filled with little after dinner mints.

    I've also seen little knitted clowns. But I have no idea where the
    pattern came from.

    Kim,
      
    At my baby shower, my girlfriend put together little teddy bear
    soaps (blue and pink) tie together with ribbon to give to everyone.
    For my sister-in-laws bridal shower, I made lace/ribbon fans with
    small flowers and bows glued to them which can be hung. 
    
    If you are in the Marlboro area, check out the Country Candle Shop in
    Northboro. They have alot of materials, plus a craft room with all
    sorts of items on display. Some great items, plus they will make
    items for you at a very reasonable price.
    
    From Marlboro, take Rt 20 west into Northboro center. Take a right
    after the CVS (Church St.) At the small fork about 50 yards up bear
    to the right. Follow about 1/4 mile on right is a sign for Lawerence 
    Candle Factory pull in there. The Country Candle is their outlet.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    PK
    

    
    
    I was at a shower last week, they took dinner napkins and folder them
    like  a diaper and pinned them with pink/blue pins. They were filled
    with blue/pink candy almonds and were really cute.
    
    bonnie

    
    	RE: .44
    
    	Yup... that was what they had done at my cousins shower, too.
    	I want to be unique! (;
    
    	RE: Country Candle...
    
    	Thanks.. I'll have to take a ride down there.
    
    	RE: .40?
    
    	The molds, which had 15-20 designs in them were about $1.65.
    	The bags of chocolate (I think) were $4-5... I don't know
    	how many bags would be needed.  That's what made me think
    	it would be cheapest.
    
    	Keep 'em comin!!
    
    	/Kim

    I don't recall getting a favor at a baby shower, it seems favors are
    more common at bridal showers.  And for what it's worth even bridal
    shower favors are getting scarce, probably due to the expense involved. 
    Someone mentioned Ziff Paperworld, if you're not crafty enough to make
    a favor they can do it for you.  They also staff a woman, whom I used,
    who makes special occation cakes for reasonable prices.  Don't have the
    phone number but her name is Brenda.
    
    The candy seems to be the most reasonably priced option, if you've got
    the time and patience.  I just started getting into it last year, and
    have made 50 two colored molded roses in a period of 3 or 4 hours.  I
    get my supplies at Evie's on 140 in Shrewsbury.  Molds run about 1.50
    and the candy wafers are 2.35/pound, the yeild per pound depends on how
    big the actual mold is.  I've done chocolate rocking horses for a baby
    shower, and tied pink and blud *very* thin satin ribbon around each
    neck for color.
    
    Contact me off-line, maybe I could do some candy molds for anyone
    interested.
    
    Lyn