Would you go to a baby shower if you couldn't afford a present?

This is my delimna. A friend of mine is throwing a baby shower tomorrow for a mutual friend of ours, and I don't have a lot of money right now; what I do have is going to bills, and I also have things I have to get for my daughter's wedding.

The woman the shower is for is pretty cool, and I haven't seen her in awhile, so I'd like to go for that. But truth to tell, I feel embarassed that I can't afford a present right now.

What would you folks do?

that doesn't cost $$. Maybe a certificate for baby-sitting or something?

Especially since her husband works from home part time.

Thanks for the idea, though.

would probably be great!!

don't be so sure she wouldn't appreciate it if you would like to do that. I'm a stay at home mom and would kill for a babysitter. My husband and I do take turns getting out, but we'd like evenings to ourselves sometimes.

Just not something I want to do (gad, am I selfish or what?)

I've always loved kids, but the thought of being responsible for them for any amount of time just didn't seem like a good idea. The one time I babysat a neighbor's kid he turned out to be a holy terror. It was awful. It's a wonder I had kids myself :)

New moms are so hectic after the birth of a child that she probably could use the extra help around the house. If you're uncomfortable with babysitting then perhaps cook them a meal, help with housecleaning or laundry. I'm sure she'll appreciate any of those things

a sitter!

It's a fabulous idea. Especially after a few months when the 'new' wears off and everyone's left her alone.

Just giving them one or two hours a week for them to run errands, go to the gym or relax is needed for their sanity. Trust me, I've been there. Date nights for the couple will also be good.

I'm sure your friendship is more than important than gift. :)

If you don't want to show up empty handed, get busy on your computer. Make some type of book of motherly advice, lyrics to lullabies to sing to baby, poems about mother hood and/or babies, etc. Add some cute graphics. Tie it up with a ribbon.

:hi:

my best friend from college is getting married in GERMANY! Granted, he is german but still, I got to go, I cant miss this. Have you seen how much the dollar has dropped against the Euro thanks to bush's lack of any economic sense? This trip will cost me a small fortune.

:hi:

but, damn it will cost me.

The last time I went to a baby shower, I was planning to buy a very nice gift, but ran into a banking problem the day of (and of course I had waited until the last minute lol).

What I did was - I went to Target and bought a cool chrome basket thingie, and then I filled it with a hand-me-down baby blanket of my daughter's, a bunch of small baby things - like washcloths and a bottle cleaner and little socks - that I got at Dollar Tree (totally decent things, just inexpensive ones), and a teddy bear. I wrapped it amazingly with white tulle (like $2 and another $2 for ribbon from Target) - and included these cute little free babysitting tickets that I made from scrap paper (I scrapbook as a hobby so I have a lot of artsy stuff lying around).



Total cost was less than $20.00, but she loved it.

:D

:yourock:

Sometimes I get a little overly into gift baskets lol.

:bounce:

:rofl:

I also love fixing them too. I'm not totally selfish. Really I'm not. :evilgrin:

i think she'll appreciate even the cutest little baby thing...and so will baby :bounce:

:blush:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :loveya:

:hug: :hug: :hug: :loveya:

I'm kind of in a similar position as I just got an invite to my sister's shower and I have enough money to buy her a wedding present but not enough for both, so now I don't know what to do. Plus I have no desire to do that shower thing (we are not close). I hate these kinds of dilemnas

I've already gotten my daughter 2 shower gifts, and need to get her a wedding gift (wedding is in 2 weeks), but there are some other expenses associated with the wedding I need to conjure up the money for.

Heck, I guess I'll get her a card, and go. I do want to see her and some of the other folks who will be there.

and write a note that you wanted to give her a special gift after you found out what she really still needed.

go to your sister's shower even if you don't get her anything. When I had heard that my sister might not come to mine, I was really hurt, even though we aren't close (10 yr difference in age), to the point I was not going to even talk to her...

she did come, btw, and it made all the difference in the world to me.

you could give a coupon for a home-cooked meal waiting for her and her husband the day she comes home from the hospital. That would free them up to enjoy the baby instead of cooking for one night. You could make a cheap but tasty soup now and freeze it for when the baby comes.

Cheap, tasty soup:

Using store brands, combine one can of chicken or vegetable broth, an undrained can of corn, an undrained can of chopped/stewed tomatoes, and about half a small onion, chopped. (You could really use just about any canned veggie, or even frozen if you added some water.) Bring to a boil. If you have 'em, stir in a little parsley/cilantro, garlic powder, onion, 1/2 a bay leaf, salt and pepper when it starts to boil. (Even just salt and pepper goes a long way, and 2 cups of salsa could take the place of the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and garlic--though if you use salsa, do two kinds of canned/frozen veggies.) Turn the stove temp down low and simmer uncovered until half the liquid is gone, stirring occasionally. Then add three cups of water, cover it and bring it to a slow boil. You can either add a little uncooked pasta, rice or potatoes and let them cook through. Check the consistency, especially if using rice, as you may have to add more water. This and a crusty loaf of bread will take about 15 minutes to make and cost less than $5.

My daughter made this soup one night that was absolutely delicious! I could do that, and supply bread, salad, etc. Thanks, you! :headbang:

You can get a lot of diaper and formula coupons online, and in the papers - my stepdaughter wound up with a huge stack I clipped while she was pregnant.

And I agree - homemade gift certificates (housework, sitting for a date night, doing laundry) are always welcome!!

:hi: SeattleGirl! :hug:

:hi:

laundry, housecleaning, meals - whatever you are comfortable with. If memory serves me (since my "baby" is out of college) I would have loved for someone to pick up my dirty clothes and return them clean and folded, or have a prepared meal waiting.

some great coupon ideas, and I really can't expand on those. That all said, I think your friend would be thrilled to see you (without gift). Suspect she wouldn't even notice. It's all about sharing time with each other. Oh, but there's one thing I know she'd enjoy from you. A great big

2 weeks ago. My friend and I (also broke) made her a necklace/earring set even though it was a lingerie party. You can also offer her a "gift certificate" good for one house cleaning, car wash or whatever service you think she would like. Finally, there's absolutely nothing wrong with just giving a card. The real purpose of a shower is to have your friends and family gathered in one place. Your presence is what is requested.

a few "gift certificates" for things that are priceless to a new mother. Some ideas:

"One cooked family dinner"
"One night's babysitting"
"Five loads of laundry--washed, dried, folded, and put away"
"One 3-hour nap or bath"
"Three loads of dirty dishes--washed, dried, and put away"
"One dog walking/cat box cleaning"

Every bit of domestic drudgery that you offer to do yourself, gives her the gift of time to herself--a precious and rare commodity in a home with a new baby. Have fun! :)

I spent my few dollars on a bunch a of useful little things--a pacifier, spoon, a bib, a teething ring, a bottle brush--and put them in a nice box. Or you could give her an IOU for babysitting services!

:headbang:
rocknation

the new mom might like later, like a massage, or house cleaning.

Can you go in together with someone else on a gift now, and pay the other person your share when you do have funds?

I was thinking of beautiful songs like Sweet Baby James and Golden Slumbers and other soft lullaby type music. I love it when friends give personal music like that.

I recommend "We Are" by Sweet Honey in the Rock, "Three Little Bids" by Bob Marley, "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" by Diana Krall, "Summertime" by Billie Holiday, "Beautiful Boy" by John Lennon, "Halley Came to Jackson" by Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Blue Boat Home" by Peter Mayer, "Blackbird" by the Beatles, "Lenny" by Stevie Ray Vaughn, and "What a Wonderful World/Over the Rainbow Medley" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

Damn, that's a good list! I think I just made a playlist for my ipod. :)

or you could come early and help set up the food, etc and stay late and help clean up. Ultimately I bet she wants you there because she likes you, not for a gift.

you are sorry - that is all you could afford right now. I'm sure she'll be touched. A baby shower is really only about the new baby..not the presents.