Baby shower gift for minimalists with lots of hand me downs

[Anonymous]

Gift cards are helpful, but I wouldn’t do UberEats or Doordash (I’d never use these services, who wants their food in a random car). If not Amazon/Target I think the PP with the thermometer post is spot on. You could also do a small gift basket with infant Tylenol, gripe water, aquafor, etc. Things that will get used. Sleep sacks are great and new parents underestimate how many they’ll use. The zip up infant ones are lifesavers in the first few weeks. Also magnetic snap pjs (pricey but lovely to have).

Please do not gift a blanket….so many blankets!!

[Anonymous]

I have a similar suggestion: basket with boogie wipes, baby wash, baby sunscreen, etc. All stuff they’ll need and use. (One friend gave us a booger themed gift: nose frida, boogie wipes, and oogie bear — all very useful!!)

Or an experiential gift: baby yoga class, baby music, baby gymnastics, etc. Obviously I would ask what they would be interested in doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gift cards are helpful, but I wouldn’t do UberEats or Doordash (I’d never use these services, who wants their food in a random car). If not Amazon/Target I think the PP with the thermometer post is spot on. You could also do a small gift basket with infant Tylenol, gripe water, aquafor, etc. Things that will get used. Sleep sacks are great and new parents underestimate how many they’ll use. The zip up infant ones are lifesavers in the first few weeks. Also magnetic snap pjs (pricey but lovely to have).

Please do not gift a blanket….so many blankets!!

And we never used a single sleep sack..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could aim slightly older...like legos, classic little people or a toddler size towel

As a minimalist please do not do these. We buy for the next 6 months and then donate immediately. The last thing I want is a bunch of toys they can’t use for years.

Agree on food gift card or an Amazon gift card. You’d be amazed how many $10-20 items these babies need last minute!

Someone gave us lovely wood blocks as a baby gift. They were wonderful when other older children came to play. Even as minimalist this was a perfect gift. Kids are in college, and we still have those blocks that are played with by occasional little visitors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Books. And not just baby books but ones for like 2 and 3 year olds with a message from you inside. Fresh high quality crib sheets.

I typically write a message in all gifts I give as a gift, however when my minimalists friends had a baby I did not do this. I fully expect them to donate books once baby outgrows them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Books. And not just baby books but ones for like 2 and 3 year olds with a message from you inside. Fresh high quality crib sheets.

I typically write a message in all gifts I give as a gift, however when my minimalists friends had a baby I did not do this. I fully expect them to donate books once baby outgrows them.

Me again, that should say in all "books" I give as a gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Diapers and wipes

+1. So many saying books. You can have too many books folks. Especially if you prefer the library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Socks. There is no such thing as hand me down baby socks because one of every pair is always lost. High quality baby socks are really useful. And you can never have too many books.

We got five baby blankets with my kids name on it for our youngest. Such a waste and I couldn’t even pass them on to other kids. One had both first and middle name and they were spelled wrong.

You can always use a blanket. Think infant Billy is going to be upset because his blanket says Ava?

Nope, I have exclusively hand me down socks. Because they come off all the time we don't use them much, but I still have 15+ pairs.

[Anonymous]

Ok I actually have a good one - little sleepies PJs because they can fit for a long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is something you loved and were glad to get new?

Registry is complete, every thing is bought, and I don’t want to do clothes because I know they are getting a ton.

Amazon electronic gift card sent to their email. So easy. Plus a cute physical card with a note about the gift card. From bridal to baby showers guests see registries. Some buy items listed and it says purchased. Others might buy the same thing or same purpose from another vendor. Then another buys the item which shows as purchased. Or go off list.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, with the situation the OP described, I would just ask them what they need/want. I have a friend that is a minimalist, and she's adamant about not letting baby stuff take over her home. She doesn't keep stockpiles of medicine/diapers/wipes and only has select toys and baby equipment. She keeps a very modest amount of wooden/montessori type toys. She has a decent-sized bookshelf which was pretty much filled up after her baby shower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gift cards are helpful, but I wouldn’t do UberEats or Doordash (I’d never use these services, who wants their food in a random car). If not Amazon/Target I think the PP with the thermometer post is spot on. You could also do a small gift basket with infant Tylenol, gripe water, aquafor, etc. Things that will get used. Sleep sacks are great and new parents underestimate how many they’ll use. The zip up infant ones are lifesavers in the first few weeks. Also magnetic snap pjs (pricey but lovely to have).

Please do not gift a blanket….so many blankets!!

And we never used a single sleep sack..

Did you swaddle? What did you do when the baby couldn’t be swaddled anymore but was too young for a loose blanket in the crib? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Cash please. Give cash. Have you ever seen someone throw away a dollar bill in the trash can? Or tear a dollar bill?

I just gave my cleaning lady a whole bunch of "hostess gifts" that people have given me. Single serving coffee mugs, box of chocolates, candles and candle stands, water bottles...WHY?

I am a grown ass married woman of 60 and a home owner. I have everything I need. At my age, I am not chomping down chocolates. I am trying to simplify my life. Please do not get anything for me when I invite you for a dinner party. NO. Not even a side dish unless it is a potluck dinner. Bottle of wine that I can pass on to someone else? Maybe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Diapers and wipes

+1. So many saying books. You can have too many books folks. Especially if you prefer the library.

People are particular about diapers and wipes though. Like I despise the smell of Pampers. I hate it. But other people love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cash please. Give cash. Have you ever seen someone throw away a dollar bill in the trash can? Or tear a dollar bill?

I just gave my cleaning lady a whole bunch of "hostess gifts" that people have given me. Single serving coffee mugs, box of chocolates, candles and candle stands, water bottles...WHY?

I am a grown ass married woman of 60 and a home owner. I have everything I need. At my age, I am not chomping down chocolates. I am trying to simplify my life. Please do not get anything for me when I invite you for a dinner party. NO. Not even a side dish unless it is a potluck dinner. Bottle of wine that I can pass on to someone else? Maybe.

Because it’s a social ritual, not a transfer of wealth. I get it, I’m not a gift person either. You just have to graciously accept and then dispose of them.

But in the OP’s case, the person is having a baby shower that had a registry, so gifts are expected and OP is right to figure one out. Obviously the host is in the wrong here for not adding more stuff to the registry as needed.