April 2016 Moms

Baby Shower Host Thank You Gift

Ok ladies - lots of post on what to wear to your baby shower, when to have it, and etiquette with opening gifts etc ... but my question is what should I get my friend as a Thank You for hosting the baby shower???

Obviously time and effort and money spent come into play here (not going to give a $15 Starbucks gift card for a thank you to a $1000 baby shower)... Our baby shower is nothing lavish, no facility fee, no money for food (DH and I are taking care of that), minimal if any for decorations... it's super casual, but she sent out the invitations and has a couple of prizes for games/diaper raffle.

I was thinking about a spa GC and a bottle of wine with a card and flowers? Too much... not enough? Should I make something?? Suggestions are appreciated!

Re: Baby Shower Host Thank You Gift

  • Your ideas all sound nice and appropriate. Other ideas if you want them, I got my shower hostess a restaurant gift card for her favorite place for $50. If you like cutesy or themed gifts, I've heard of designer or monogrammed umbrellas (get it? cause it's for a shower??) being a fun idea.
    DS1 12/30/13
    Miscarriage 3/15 at 10 weeks
    BFP 7/23/15 EDD 4/3/16

  • Loading the player...
  • Oh I think what you've mentioned is fantastic.  A massage, Starbucks gift card, and maybe a certificate for a manicure would be a wonderful thing to do.  Sort of a 'pamper yourself' day for all the hard work it takes to put together a shower.  
    image
  • I love the umbrella idea! If only I lived somewhere it actually rained more than once every 6 months...

    I have about 7 people co-hosting my shower (4 friends from crossfit including my MOH, my other two bridesmaids, and my mom), so I haven't figured out what to do yet. I was thinking about maybe doing some Lush stuff since everyone on here has been raving about it, except for my mom because she has super sensitive skin. I'd love to do something with booze, but it would get expensive really fast with that many co-hosts, and my budget is pretty limited. Would love to hear more ideas about what others are doing!
    image
  • @AnnikaD20  and @fourtsixand2  so glad I'm not totally off base here! Phew!! The umbrella idea is cute!! Saw a pinterest thing about nail polish... cause "nailed it"... but I know she does gel manicures, so I'll have to ask her husband where she goes for that and go the GC route.

    I just don't want to be one of those ungrateful people because I know this has been a big deal for her... especially hard to plan/organize since we live in different states, so she is doing it all long distance.
  • I don't think you have to do a gift card and wine and flowers if they aren't tackling the whole thing, but maybe that's me being cheap! Food is a big part of a shower so if you're supplying that I don't think you need to go crazy. I had two showers with DD and each had two hostesses. I got everyone a bottle of wine and thank you card (granted they were nice bottles, $50+ each). I've also hosted showers and I think a hostess just expects a little something in gratitude, does not have to be elaborate :)
    BabyFruit Ticker}
  • I made these for my shower hostess last time. I also have her a bag of her of her favorite coffe to go with it. I liked the personal-ness of it.
    https://cookiesandcups.com/campfire-bars-and-a-desserts-in-jars-giveaway/ 
  • I'd honestly do either the spa GC - love the "nailed it" or relax after a job well done idea - or flowers/wine. The only thing I've ever received for throwing a shower was a scentsy-like wax warmer from a cousin, otherwise I've just gotten a thank you card. That said, idk when the last time anyone I hang out with has brought a hostess gift for a dinner party, etc. so it may just be a social circle thing. 
    Anniversary 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • For the shower that's being thrown by my church family, I plan on giving the hostess a thank-you card with a gift card for dinner and a movie ticket.

    The others are being thrown by my parents/MIL so I was just going to create a card from my son, thanking them for throwing his "first party/celebration" and saying how excited he is to meet his Nana/Pop Pop, etc.

  • Ugh I suck at etiquette! I didn't even think about a hostess gift! It was thrown between my two sisters, and my mom... I might just go a little bit cheaper and get them each $15 gift cards to B&N... And I love the card idea from LO's first party! I could make those >.>

    I am cheap I guess... But this is family, and I can get away with it??? Right?
  • @Knottie9983816 from everything I've read, it's not mandatory to give a hostess gift above and beyond a thank-you note. For me personally, I know my hostesses have spent the last 2 months planning things for a 40+ person shower - I fully expect the shower and their gifts to be over the top - so I really want to say a bigger thank you.

    By being super productive today, I found some gorgeous makeup bags on etsy (for example). I'm going to get a few smaller pampering things to put in them as well. With the 7 co-hosts, I'll spend a bit less than $200.
    image
  • My mama is hosting mine, and my parents love Vegas so I was thinking of giving them trip money and maybe booking a room. Thats a lot on our budget but she deserves it because she is definitely NOT the party throwing type lol. Might have to protect some guests from getting their head bitten off!
  • @Knottie9983816 maybe I'm off base, but gifting is different in big families that don't come from money. For example, I've never bought a Christmas or birthday gift for any of my five siblings and have never received one. For Christmas, each sibling and each SO bring a homemade gift not costing more than $20 and we do a blind exchange. If a friend were throwing the shower I would do more, but my sisters and mom would refuse more than a $10 gift and card since there are five of them total. The refusal would be accompanied by a "put it toward something for baby" comment. 
  • I'm the last of my girlfriends to have a baby so I had plenty of examples to use as a standard.  I had four hostesses.  I picked out a little Vera Bradley makeup bag in patterns they'd like (50% off online clearance sale!), then inside I put a card, some EOS lip balm, and nail polish in different shades of pink.
  • @Knottie9983816 maybe I'm off base, but gifting is different in big families that don't come from money. For example, I've never bought a Christmas or birthday gift for any of my five siblings and have never received one. For Christmas, each sibling and each SO bring a homemade gift not costing more than $20 and we do a blind exchange. If a friend were throwing the shower I would do more, but my sisters and mom would refuse more than a $10 gift and card since there are five of them total. The refusal would be accompanied by a "put it toward something for baby" comment. 
    I have been pushing for a secret Santa exchange every year for Christmas instead of getting everyone something... So far no one is interested >.> This past year they all got a mug with a candy cane and hot cocoa, and that's it.
  • @Knottie9983816 maybe I'm off base, but gifting is different in big families that don't come from money. For example, I've never bought a Christmas or birthday gift for any of my five siblings and have never received one. For Christmas, each sibling and each SO bring a homemade gift not costing more than $20 and we do a blind exchange. If a friend were throwing the shower I would do more, but my sisters and mom would refuse more than a $10 gift and card since there are five of them total. The refusal would be accompanied by a "put it toward something for baby" comment. 
    I have been pushing for a secret Santa exchange every year for Christmas instead of getting everyone something... So far no one is interested >.> This past year they all got a mug with a candy cane and hot cocoa, and that's it.
    Maybe I'm just cheap! :D 
  • I've never given or been given any gift as/for a shower hostess beyond a card and maybe a drink or something. I agree with PP that it may just be a social circle thing. 
  • I made these for my shower hostess last time. I also have her a bag of her of her favorite coffe to go with it. I liked the personal-ness of it.
    https://cookiesandcups.com/campfire-bars-and-a-desserts-in-jars-giveaway/ 
    Love this idea! Really want to do something a little more on the personal side!

  • adifrog said:
    I'm the last of my girlfriends to have a baby so I had plenty of examples to use as a standard.  I had four hostesses.  I picked out a little Vera Bradley makeup bag in patterns they'd like (50% off online clearance sale!), then inside I put a card, some EOS lip balm, and nail polish in different shades of pink.
    Ooh I love Vera so I could totally get behind that! Ha ha
  • jonesl12jonesl12 member
    edited February 2016
    I'm thinking of getting them a spa gift card or maybe a gift basket from a local wine shop. I know they put a lot of time and $ into my shower that's coming up so I just want to give a small thank you. The shower will be 55 people at 15$ a plate plus the other stuff I'd say I should give them something more than just a thank you. 

    Who doesn't like wine or a spa day right??? 

    Now if it was much smaller and less expensive I'd probably just so something small like a gift card to the venu to use for dinner with their spouse or maybe flowers ?

    Edit: because my fingers aren't awake yet

  • @jonesl12 talk about fancy, 15$ a plate is higher than what I paid for the food at my wedding! Lol
  • @jonesl12 Yeah that kind of shower deserves more than just a note - spa seems to be the favorite!
  • Im not having a shower (third baby, first together but we DO NOT need or want anyone to buy us a thing) but this post makes me want to throw together some cute goodie bags for my girl friends as a "just because" gift! So many cute ideas!! 

    3 miscarriages - 1 DS (6) - 1 DD (3)  - #3 due March 30!


  • jonesl12jonesl12 member
    edited February 2016
    cmjenkies said:
    @jonesl12 talk about fancy, 15$ a plate is higher than what I paid for the food at my wedding! Lol
    I would have been happy with something much smaller and less expensive. I almost feel bad :( 
  • My sister is throwing my shower and a month after baby is here I am throwing her a bridal shower. Plus a bachelorette party in a few weeks. I think we're even. lol 
    image 
  • I did not even think of this, but then again, baby showers aren't really a concept here the same way it is in the states. I know my sisters and two of my best friends are planning it, and my best friend is pregnant so I will be planning hers after I've given birth which I thought would be thank you enough :D 


        

  • I made a basket of "shower goodies" for my hostesses. I got them different bubble baths, lotions, candles, face mask, and a poof depending on what I know they like. It was a little kitschy but everyone seemed appreciative. I tried to get nice brands and get them the scents they usually like to elevate the gift a little bit. 
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • I'venever given or been given a hostess gift beyond a thank you card. I agree with other pp that its a social circle thing.
  • I bought a big beach towel from kohls and am having it monogrammed for my hostesses. This is kiddo #2 and they insisted on a sprinkle so I wanted to do something nice. We are all summer pool junkies so I know they'll use it. 
  • For DS#1's shower, I gave the hostess a meaningful gift (necklace with meaning) because she is one of my closest friends along with a massage gift certificate. The shower was at her aunt's house because she had moved a few hours away so I gave her aunt a beer tree. She loves beer and was thrilled with it. I'm big on thank you cards and gifts. Expensive is always nice but I prefer something with meaning.  
  • No one mentioned "work showers" on this thread so I thought I'd bring it up.

    This morning, I saw a flyer on our bulletin board. One of my supervisors is hosting a shower for me on 3/18. It's potluck style so others will bring a dish. There will probably be around 20 co-workers there. Hostess will be doing the games and provide the cake.

    I'm kind of at a loss...don't know the lady on a personal level but I do want to get her something nice. I was thinking something from Scentsy or maybe a Yankee candle? Or a cute B&BW set....

    Thoughts?

  • linzoirv said:

    No one mentioned "work showers" on this thread so I thought I'd bring it up.

    This morning, I saw a flyer on our bulletin board. One of my supervisors is hosting a shower for me on 3/18. It's potluck style so others will bring a dish. There will probably be around 20 co-workers there. Hostess will be doing the games and provide the cake.

    I'm kind of at a loss...don't know the lady on a personal level but I do want to get her something nice. I was thinking something from Scentsy or maybe a Yankee candle? Or a cute B&BW set....

    Thoughts?

    If you do something scented, I'd vote BBW so she can exchange - scents are so hard. Otherwise I would go with a coffee mug and a $5-10 gift card or a little mani/pedi set (fuzzy socks, nail polish/buffer block, little lotion, nail tools). 
    Anniversary 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I agree that scents can be hard - the coffee mug/GC idea is good! Or maybe a Starbucks (or DD if that's your style) GC and mason jar cookies! Love those, and they look so cute if you have multiple layers!
  • mrstrax said:
    linzoirv said:

    No one mentioned "work showers" on this thread so I thought I'd bring it up.

    This morning, I saw a flyer on our bulletin board. One of my supervisors is hosting a shower for me on 3/18. It's potluck style so others will bring a dish. There will probably be around 20 co-workers there. Hostess will be doing the games and provide the cake.

    I'm kind of at a loss...don't know the lady on a personal level but I do want to get her something nice. I was thinking something from Scentsy or maybe a Yankee candle? Or a cute B&BW set....

    Thoughts?

    If you do something scented, I'd vote BBW so she can exchange - scents are so hard. Otherwise I would go with a coffee mug and a $5-10 gift card or a little mani/pedi set (fuzzy socks, nail polish/buffer block, little lotion, nail tools). 

    Coffee mug & GC would be perfect! Everyone here loves coffee. We have 5 machines in our break room! Thanks!
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"