I don't know what people are usually "expected" to spend
The Bridal shower is a casual friend
The baby shower is for my sister in law
Can anyone tell me $$ ranges
Thanks =)
Suzanne

Casual friend I spend about $25 on a bridal shower. Usually I get things on sale or with a coupon deal so it *appears* I spent more than I did

Baby shower for close friend or family: about $50. I ALWAYS give a case of diapers so there is about $30 or so. Then I get some of the stuff on their registry or some of the things I liked having with my kids. Casual friends shower: $25. I pretty much stick to the $25 and $50 rule

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Thanks soo much for your help
Suzanne

I always stick to a VALUE dollar amount. I use the registry as a reference for what the bride/groom/parents want.
For instance, my cousin just got married and for the bridal shower, I went in with five other people charging them $10 a piece (they wanted to spend more but I didn't want to go overboard). I was able to purchase a coffee maker that brewed the individual pods in the color the bride wanted and it turns out she is the only coffee drinker in the house so she really loved it! She didn't want to put it on the registry because she thought it was too expensive (I bought mine 90% off at Target...a super awesome find) I then bought some dinner plates with matching salad plates and soup bowls in stoneware at target 75% off and an electric griddle I got a walmart for about half the price of the one they registered for at bed bath and beyond. I also got a pampered chef 9x13 stone pan I found at a dealer sale for around $16 brand new...Everything I bought was originally around $35-$90 each and I didn't spend any more than $60 on all the stuff combined. If I know someone is getting married I start asking questions...what colors are your kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom. It's a great idea to go in on a big gift with someone because it loosens your budget a bit.
As far as baby showers go...once I know someone is pregnant, I start shopping the clearance sales for receiving blankets in ivory, white, yellow, or green (neutral baby colors). I also look for pacifiers (only ones that are orthadontic with a silicone nipple). I then get coupons for baby wash, baby shampoo, wipes, diaper cream, lotions, etc... I wait for a sale and stock up dirt cheap. I buy a laundry basket and line it with the receiving blankets (leaving the packaging under the blankets in case they want to return them) I then stack the wipes in the bottom (at least for different types...new mommies like to try everything once) then I arrange all the bottles of beauty aids as well as some onesies, socks, hooded towels, and outfits that are bigger (if it's a summer baby I buy winter clothes and vice versa) I also get cheap diapers at CVS because I combine an extracare coupon with a manufacturers coupon. Just one jumbo pack in size 2 or 3 because EVERYONE buys size 1 and most of the diapers get returned. They usually have nice coupons for huggies. Again, this is a really nice gift to go in on with someone. I also purchase big ticket items if my budget allows it such as the killer k-mart deals a while back with the car seat (evenflo triumph lx for $25), highchair ($20 for a really nice wooden originally $100), jogger stroller for $18 (originally $90), and a bassinet for $20 (originally $125 a really nice wooden one). You bring one of those bad boys to any baby shower and people wonder how you afforded it all!

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I too do the basket thing. I stock up all year round on sales and it makes things a lot cheaper but it makes it look like you spent a lot. I use diaper/wipe coupons, baby lotions/wash, little nail clippers, bibs, and I find some great deals at Baby Gap and so I have a pretty good stockpile of every size/season/gender, plus I hit the Carters Outlet for cute little jammies. Usually spend about $30 (probably worth about $70).

For bridal showers, I use Linen N Things/Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons and just check out their Target (or wherever) registry. I will sometimes do a muffin basket (couple different muffin mixes, measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, mixing spoon, muffin tins in jumbo, regular, and mini size), pizza basket (pizza stone, pizza cutter, cheese shredder/grater, and leftover pizza keeper), movie night basket (box of microwave popcorn, big boxes of movie theater candy that they sell at walmart, a couple of DVD's, blockbuster gift cards, theater gift cards, and a snuggly fleece blanket), game night basket (a couple of board games, deck of cards, snacks), a picnic basket (filled with the fun plastic plates and cups they sell at Target in the summer, red and white checkered tablecloth, wine glasses, bottle of wine), a dishwashing basket (actually I use a dish drainer, put in some sponges, dish soap, gloves, embroidered floursack towels, one of those dawn powerbrush things, if I know they have a dishwasher they get some free electrosol and jet dry, and my favorite part, a sexy little piece of lingere with a note stuck to it mentioning that this might get him to help with the dishes (I only do this for close friends!), the possibilities are really endless and if you shop ahead of time and get a lot of the stuff at say, Target's 90% clearance at the end of the summer you can save a ton of money. Everyone I have given these baskets to has commented on how fun and creative they have been compared to the normal gifts like a towel and washcloth set. I don't generally spend more than $30, depending on what basket I do.

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I've had a Foreman Grill for about six years. I've done about 85% of my cooking on it, but I've never burnt myself. Probably because I don't use it as a pillow.

Just a question - when you guys get thses items and hang on to them - to give at a later date - do you include the gift receipt in case they need to return the item? I am thinking that stores are really getting strict on their return policies - do they have problems since you may have had the item say a few months?

I don't stockpile baby gifts or bridal gifts just for that reason. If I can, I give a gift receipt.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I do tell them that if they receive a duplicate of something or there is something they would like to return that I do not have a gift receipt so they can return it to me and I will give them the cash or gift card equivalent (full price of what it is worth). So far I haven't had anyone take me up on it. I'm pretty good with figuring out most people's tastes by checking out their other registry so that may be why, plus if it is a duplicate the other person usually has a gift receipt attached.

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I've had a Foreman Grill for about six years. I've done about 85% of my cooking on it, but I've never burnt myself. Probably because I don't use it as a pillow.

I think $25-$50 is a good guideline to go by. However, if you just can't afford that much, then do whatever you can. There have been times, when I was a lot younger, that all I could really afford was a $15 gift (and that was almost overdoing it for me), but nobody made me feel guilty about not spending more. It really should be the thought that counts, not how much money you spend and people should be appreciative of just having you there to share in their happiness.

Like I said...I start asking probing questions so I know I get it right the first time. I was a bride so I know what you use and you don't use. I was a new mom so I know what you like and you don't like. As far as outfits go, I have always been I dress my son very well so nobody has ever not liked the outfits. I usually just buy basics: onesies, jeans, sleep n plays, rompers, usually all in one outfits because when the baby gets mobile, they are the easiest thing to keep the child in. I go by the rule of thumb always buy six months ahead of the child's age. That means if the child will be 6 months in the summer, I buy 12 month clothes. More wiggle room. 90% of the stuff I give new moms is returnable at wally world without receipt. As far as new brides go, well...if anything, they can regift it!! I have never been asked for a receipt to return so I can't tell you what I would do!

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Who says you have to bring a gift. I have actually had people call me for wedding, baby shower or birthday party and say they couldn't come because they couldn't afford a gift. I have started using the old "No Gifts Please, Your Presence is Present Enough" quote on invitations just for that reason. (if people can bring a present then they usually do, trust me they will call and ask)

I say do what you can do. No One should ever make you feel bad about how much your gift is worth. If they do then maybe your the one who got the present.

Just a thought

I have been to showers where one person obviously hit a clearance sale and gave about 20 gifts... Hmmm. I wasn't sure that it was a good thing in regards to the other guests but maybe that's just me.

I'd give one or two things that are in the $25-50 retail price range and not base it on the clearance price that you might have actually paid. Don't know if that makes sense to others but it does to me!

I usually feel like they are mostly interested in the price of the gift
Mt friends SIL was having a baby shower last year and actually told my friend she was only inviting people that would bring good gofts
That is just aweful



Suzanne

That is just awful. Do you think that she might have been joking? I hope so. My parents taught me long ago to appreciate the time together, not the gifts... I would choose not to associate with that person but that's just me.

I give according to the value of the item. For example, a couple of years ago, I bought Calphalon kitchen utensils on sale at Amazon. I think there were 6 or 8 in the set. Each spoon, spatula, fork, etc retailed for $6 or $8. I bought 6 sets. (I think I still have 2 left.) I think I paid maybe $10 per set. I use these for people like my husband's co-worker's kid is getting married. Ditto on infant outfits. I have a boy and girl for every season on the shelf. Ralph Lauren swimming trunks for boys, Ralph Lauren cute outfits for girls. Retail value on each set for clothes $50- I may have spent $10.

For closer friends and family I also shop sales but I would spend $20 out of my pocket and for a close relative $50. I do not give gift receipts. You don't like it- re-gift it.

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Lyn Clarke

I really don't think she was joking
I actually believe she is like that
and It is aweful
Suzanne