Nervous about how late baby showers are going to be(vent)

jenmarshall88

I just wanted to express my worries. I'm having two baby showers it looks like, my friend baby shower will be the end of June and my family one will be the beg. of July. Because of my SIL being pregnant and due early/mid June and my best friend moving back to town mid June, this is the only time we can work it out for both showers. I'm grateful these people are even doing this for me. But I'm a little nervous about how close to my due date these showers are going to be. I'll be inviting a decent amount of people and I know a lot of our needs will be met, but obviously there will still be things we need afterwards. DH and I are tight on money and not very financially stable so it makes me nervous having to wait to spend money I don't know if we'll have all at once after the shower. I'm due August 3rd. I want to get as much as I can ahead of time so I won't be shuffling around very pregnant at the last minute. I just don't see that working. We're going to get the furniture earlier on but other things, stroller, car seat, all the way down to clothes and bathing equipment, I know I'll get a lot of at the baby shower. I just wish I knew how to prepare ahead of time, I have no clue what I'm doing. I've never even attended a baby shower to know what people get and give at them to know what to get ahead of time.

jessicaclare

My advice would be to pick up the bigger essential items you'll need (like a carseat) now, or at least put money away for them. You won't get all the big things you need at your shower. Then buy some of the littler stuff afterwards With my first, I had my last shower at 36 weeks and it was plenty of time to pick up what we needed.

JaysonandKristin

All you NEED is a carseat to bring the baby home, onesies, blankets, something safe for the baby to sleep in (PNP/crib/bassinet), formula or BM and baby soap.  I'm sure I missed a few things, but that's not the point...  The point is, that despite all the stuff they make for babies, you really don't NEED all of it, hell, do we really need even half of it?

Just try not to stress.  Even if you have the baby before you have your showers (God forbid), you're still going to see an outpouring of love from friends and family.  You can accumulate more baby stuff after the baby is born.  Somehow, financials just seem to work even when they're tight.

84Lauren

Instead of slowly buying a few things here and there, what about taking the little bits of money you would spend on those things and just putting it in a special savings account?  That would at least solve the money problem, though you may still need to send you hubby out to do the running around at the last minute

Auki13

Really I think all you need is a carseat!  Even if you don't purchase another thing, the hospital will supply diapers, wipes, a paci, onesies, you can even grab a couple of blankets, along with a bunch of other goodies.
Point being if you don't mind waiting, you really don't have to worry about the baby not having what s/he needs.  That said most people like to plan more than that and you can always purchase things slowly, save the receipt and return anything you get at a shower (extra money after!) OR you can save money and just put anything you could possibly want on your registry and even if you are on bedrest anyone you trust can go get whatever wasn't purchased for you after the showers.

Uwannalala

I absolutely understand. Money is really tight in our household as well and im a crazy planner! I hate not being prepared!

My best friend is planning my shower for July and I just know I won't be able to wait until a month before to get everything. It will drive me nuts!  So knowing me, I will buy big items with my good paychecks and be completely out of stuff for them to get me by then haha. Oh wll..

 I just can't help it- I have to be prepared!

ETweet

I agree with the others about the car seat. That is a must. And the savings idea is really ideal. I would recommend watching your registery before the baby showers to see what others get you. It takes away some of the excitement of opening presents but if it eases your mind and gives you and idea of what you'll still need to consider purchasing, great!

Jelliebean1982

Don't stress about it.  You should buy your carseat and crib mattress new.  Those I would plan on buying yourself.  The crib, swing, changing table, etc look for on Craigslist or at a consignment store.  You can find really great deals on stuff that has hardly ever been used if you don't get it at one of your showers. 

brockli

Something I have seen other people suggest is to buy gift cards to the stores you think you will be making purchases from such as Target or BRU.  So when you have extra money you can just load it onto the card and then purchase what is left after the showers.  Also I won't lie I have terrible pregnancy brain today so I didn't retain a lot from other responses but there will probably be some garage sales in the spring that you may be able to get some cheaper items from.

cozylittlecave

I would put money away now for some of the bigger items you'll have to get. I'd also stalk your registry ahead of time- that might help you see what people are getting you, although many buy last minute. Also, you might get duplicates & things you end up returning for store credit. Some of the bigger things can wait until later- it's really the carseat & something for baby to sleep in that you NEED asap. Also, you could also go craigslist to save $ if you can't afford what you want after the showers (although I'd stick to new for the carseat).

fabfive

ETweet:

I agree with the others about the car seat. That is a must. And the savings idea is really ideal. I would recommend watching your registery before the baby showers to see what others get you. It takes away some of the excitement of opening presents but if it eases your mind and gives you and idea of what you'll still need to consider purchasing, great!

THIS!!!  i was ALWAYS checking my registry...lol!