# Baby Shower Gift Suggestions. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 1, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356 "2012-10-01T03:44:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bartman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356/1 "2012-10-01T03:44:44Z")
So a friend of mine is pregnant and will be giving her boy away for adoption when he is born. She is throwing a joint shower with the adoptive parents later this week. Of course all the gifts are intended to go with the new parents to take care of him. But I wanted to get her something as well. I know this has been a heart wrenching decision. And I thought that she should get something. Sadly nothing has come to mind. I need something that will be a nice memento, not too schlocky, but not too expensive either. So I turn to the collected wisdom of the dope… what to get? ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356/2 "2012-10-01T06:02:14Z")
It sounds like it’s going to be a pretty open adoption if they’re having the baby shower together, so maybe a nice frame or photo album for pictures of the baby? ---
**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356/3 "2012-10-02T20:44:45Z")
Aw, what a rough situation. You’re a good friend to want to get her a gift too. How about a gift certificate for a spa day/manicure/pedicure, or a gift card at her favorite restaurant? Both of those things might be a welcome distraction for the days following the birth. ---
**Author:** ![PoorMarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5ac83/32.png) [@PoorMarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorMarie)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356/4 "2012-10-02T22:52:28Z")
How about a sapling to be planted in her yard on the day the baby is born as a tangible reminder of the life she created? ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356/5 "2012-10-03T01:20:45Z")
> [@smaje1](#): > > How about a gift certificate for a spa day/manicure/pedicure, or a gift card at her favorite restaurant? Both of those things might be a welcome distraction for the days following the birth. I think that might just make her feel bad, like she’s expected to immediately forget about the baby. It would be nice as a separate gift after the birth, but not as a baby shower gift. Those are supposed to be about the baby, and if she didn’t want to be involved in that she wouldn’t be attending the shower. I’m just thinking that’s how I would feel in that situation anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356/6 "2012-10-03T01:26:48Z")
Most any pregnant mom wants a mani-pedi or free food. Showers usually happen a month or two before the birth so she could use the gift certificates before the birth if she wishes to. How about giving a gift certificate for a place like Shutterfly where you can get photo gifts; brag books, calendars and the like? Or a gift certificate where she can get birthstone jewelry. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356/7 "2012-10-03T01:35:26Z")
A recordable story book she can record for her baby that the adoptive parents can play for the child as it grows up. [http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=recordable+story+book&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=9808938816&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3250661701842252888&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd\_sl\_6a88h979ri\_e](http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=recordable+story+book&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=9808938816&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3250661701842252888&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_6a88h979ri_e) Though that may just be heart wrenching. I don’t know how she is going to get through this no matter what she gets. I don’t know if a present would even be appropriate. Maybe just be there as a shoulder to cry on would be the best gift. > [@](#): > > A birth mother may appreciate a special way to remember her child. There are many adoption-themed gifts that can help the mother feel connected to the child as time goes on. You can provide her with a locket or pendant that can have the baby’s picture placed inside or a necklace with the baby’s birthstone. Another idea is a bracelet or pendant with a matching item for the child to wear; this can provide a way for the mother to always feel a connection to the child. > > Read more: Gift Ideas for a Birth Mother Giving Her Child Up for Adoption | [eHow.com](http://eHow.com) [ehow | ehow](http://www.ehow.com/info_7954081_gift-her-child-up-adoption.html#ixzz28Cg1ggIb) That site has some decent ideas. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356/8 "2012-10-03T14:51:07Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > I think that might just make her feel bad, like she’s expected to immediately forget about the baby. It would be nice as a separate gift after the birth, but not as a baby shower gift. Those are supposed to be about the baby, and if she didn’t want to be involved in that she wouldn’t be attending the shower. I’m just thinking that’s how I would feel in that situation anyway. I think a gift certificate for some pampering is a very nice idea, and carries no connotation whatsoever that the birth mother is supposed to forget about the baby immediately. If the adoptive parents live out of state and the birth mother is planning on visiting them, perhaps an airline gift card or something to help with travel expenses? ---
**Author:** ![Bartman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-shower-gift-suggestions/636356/9 "2012-10-04T01:00:43Z")
Thanks all. In the end I went with a gag gift of a sort in mini-bottles of booze. Given that she seemed pleased, and that there were many other such gifts, I think I did ok. And evidently she plans to throw quite the party about a month after the birth. I’m glad I didn’t go with my instinct of a birthstone keepsake or similar gift. I think that would have ended up too maudlin.