NBR: shower for sister

bossyferg · September 2014

I will be hosting a surprise baby shower for one of my 3 sisters who is having her first baby. She will be the third in my family to have a baby so she is getting a TON of used items and clothing. Basically will only need diapers. I actually feel sad for her because I want her to get some new items and special things for her baby but I am stumped with what I can do to surprise her. She is totally fine with all the used things but I guess I feel like it would be nice to do something special for her and baby. Anyone have any ideas?
She has crib, bassinet, swing, bath, clothes, car seat, stroller, etc. you name it.
Love to hear some suggestions!

bazingaa · September 2014

What about nursery decorations? That kind of a nice to have but falls to the bottom of a priority list if you have to buy all the big ticket items.

waldothewiener1 · September 2014

I got tons of hand me downs from my step sister and I was thrilled! I didn't give a second thought to the fact they were used, since all those big items and clothes are used for such a short amount of time anyway. Just don't want you to feel 'bad' about that aspect of it!

The only thing I can think of would be a gift card. I'd love to pick out any little extra things I find that I need myself so I can do SOME baby shopping! Good luck

britab · September 2014

Do you know the baby's name? Something personalized with the name? Like a 31 bag?

bossyferg · September 2014

usernameedit said:
What about some keepsake items?
Memory box for her baby
Picture frames
Shadow boxes
Gift certificates for newborn photos

As for the guests, she can always do a baby registry and then let the guests decide what to get her... don't try to tell the guests what to get.

And, on a side note, I'm not sure why you are sad for her. She is getting a ton of stuff for free that otherwise would cost her a ton of money. We only got a few big ticket items from our parents as gifts, but everything else we had to pay for. You are actually saving her a ton of money by providing the hand-me-downs which I'm sure she is extremely grateful for.

Sorry I didn't explain that well. I should add that as a child she always had to get my hand me downs and her birthday is 3 days before Christmas so growing up her birthday blended in with the holidays and wasn't very personal.
I get your point about being grateful for all the stuff she has passed on to her (she very much is), but I meant I wanted to add some extra gifts for her that she doesn't have. I guess it stems from our childhood that i feel like she got the crap end of the stick at times and I really want this to be special for her. She is such a great person who always goes out of her way for everyone and I want to do the same for her.

Love all the suggestions : )

yogasailmomma · September 2014

I think you're sweet for even caring! Maybe splurge on something for her like a spa day before the baby comes? Or I like the idea of a personalized gift, esp if you already know the name. We got some amazing personalized blankets that I use daily and always remind me of who made/gave them to us.