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Oct 13, 2016
Catholic Influencers· Resources

The 10 Best Baby Shower Gifts NOT on Her Registry

Have a baby shower on the calendar this Fall? Want to add an original, yet useful gift to the new parents’ present?

xavierbabyshower1

This post contains affiliate links – if you purchase using them, I make a small percentage.  Thank you for your support!

I asked a group of moms: “What was the best baby shower gift you remember getting that you did NOT register for?”

They came up with some great answers!  Here’s what the Mom’s are saying:

1. The Wubbanub

I’m putting this one first, because not only did one of the moms in the group I asked mention it – but this was given to me for our son and it was the BEST.GIFT.EVER!

It doesn’t get lost like the other ones.

Babies can find it on their own when they lose it at night because of how big it is.

It doesn’t fall out of the crib that often – again because of the size.

And, “baby ducky”, is my son’s favorite toy, object of comfort in the whole world!  He is four and even though we have removed the pacifier from it, he still sleeps with “baby ducky” every night!

“Baby Ducky” was not on our registry.  Matt’s aunt bought it for us.  I am still so grateful to Aunt Suzanne!

xav2duckies.jpg
For some reason he is holding 2 of them here!  You know it’s a must have when there is a back-up!

2. Baby food bowls and spoons

This too is on the top of the list because it was another gift I did not think to register for, but was grateful I received.  Another mom said the same.

We still use these bowls, and sometime even the spoons!

3. FridaBaby Nasal Aspirator

This was a very popular answer.  I had never even heard of it!  Apparently this is an awesome gift!  Check it out – it’s a best seller on Amazon, and included as an Amazon Prime purchase!

4. Child Go-Pod

This one another suggestion from a mom that I had never seen – but instantly know why it’s awesome!  How often a mom brings her baby to a house that is not “baby-proof”.  This is so perfect to have in the car and it folds up so compactly!  The big ones we all register for are not fitting out the door or in the car without taking them completely apart!  Great gift!

screen-shot-2016-10-13-at-10-11-07-pm

5. Aden and Anais Blankets

Apparently these blankets are worth the investment.  Great for swaddling, light weight, and tend to be used for everything  – up until baby is 3!

6. Baby’s First Christmas Ornament

This is another gift we were given and someone else mentioned.  It’s so awesome comparing how much bigger his hand is every year when we hang it up!  There are other options for Baby’s First Christmas ornaments on Amazon too – my favorites are the Hallmark Ornament (we got this for our son in 2013 – it was a Rocking Horse) the shoe one this year is also adorable! And the Lenox Rudolph is also really cute!

Screen Shot 2016-10-13 at 10.38.06 PM.png

7. Zipper Sheets

It’s like someone is giving you sleep as a gift.  This is the best invention ever.  When you are already sleep deprived – and baby wet through her diaper.  Oh my goodness – quick and easy.  And honestly, changing crib sheets should be counted as going to the gym.  Genius invention.  Although the link above would be ideal, if they are not in your budget, here is a more affordable buy: QuickZip Crib Extra

8. Bath Books

Some moms mentioned books.  I added the bath books.  I never used them in the bath – but my son just LOVED holding them, looking at them and, yes, chewing on them.  I would have never thought to register for these books, but I was so grateful we were given some.  Any other book in his teething days couldn’t have been played with as much.  He would love those books all day long and that was fine with me!  Here are a few cute ones available on Amazon:

Sassy Book Set; Sassy First Sounds Book Set and Sesame Street Elmo’s World Books

xavierbabyahoy

9. Canvas/Fabric Storage Bin filled with STUFF

These bins are GREAT!  I kept diapers in them.  I use them for shoes.  Another mom said she got one and now puts her daughters legos in it. Here are some of the moms suggestions to put in the bin for an awesome gift:

  • Little Remedies Kit
  • American Red Cross Healthcare Kit
  • Gift Certificate for Mom to get a massage, or a pedicure and manicure (this was a very popular answer!!)
  • Photographer/Photo Club gift card – many photographers sell “baby’s first year” packages and moms LOVE this gift!
  • Happiest Baby on the Block book
  • Bath Rinser
  • Lil’ Prayer Buddy

10. Hire a Cleaning Lady/Man or Service 

A few of the moms said they had this given to them and they couldn’t have been more grateful!  I gotta say – THAT is an awesome gift!

Now see Volume 2!!!! 10 MORE Baby Shower Gifts Not on Her Registry (that should be)!

What would you add to the list? Please share!


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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alicia says

    October 14, 2016 at 8:41 am

    A “chewbeads” or similar necklace for the mama! So often moms have to give up jewelry because their babies are always tugging or chewing on it. Baby-safe jewelry is a great gift. 🙂

  2. Carolyn A says

    October 14, 2016 at 9:31 am

    Oh, that Child Go-Pod! I could’ve used that 4 years ago when we took our baby who wanted to go-go-go camping!

  3. Ginny says

    October 19, 2016 at 8:23 pm

    Great list! I can’t think of anything to add. – you covered it all!

    • Amy says

      October 19, 2016 at 11:02 pm

      Thank you Ginny!

  4. Jennifer says

    October 22, 2016 at 7:47 am

    This is a great list. We’ve gone to 4 weddings over the last year, and have one more coming. I’ll bet there’ll be a baby shower in the near future and this list has given me some great ideas. I love the Go Pod and the tub books. All 7 of my kiddos loved their tub books for chewing on, and like you, we never kept them in the bathroom.

    • Amy says

      October 23, 2016 at 8:22 pm

      I am so new to this go-pod! Guess families should really be putting it on their registries!

  5. Gina B says

    October 24, 2016 at 11:07 am

    I love 9 & 10! What a lifesaver for a new mom, especially the extra help. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Rachel says

    October 24, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    We have the Go Pod – it’s so great when you’re at that point in development! We’ve also packed a diaper caddy full of changing supplies and things that are just good to have on hand when you have an infant so you can bring it all with you instead of trekking back to the nursery every half hour 🙂

    • Amy says

      October 24, 2016 at 9:09 pm

      So true! Amazing how such a tiny person has so much stuff 🙂

  7. Anni says

    January 31, 2017 at 6:40 pm

    This is a great list! One of my go-to gifts Aden hooded bath towels – we use them until they wear out, and I’m all about the gifts that keep on giving! And, someone gave us baby hangers, which have been awesome… my son’s clothes (now almost five years later) still fit on the hangers.

    I’d love to be able to afford a gift of a maid cleaning service for a couple months…!

    • Amy says

      January 31, 2017 at 7:33 pm

      It would be a great gift to receive too, right!!?

  8. Tracy Bua Smith says

    February 2, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    Great list of ideas! I would add my friend,Brita’s, baby bouquets! Beautiful and practical! More on my blog post here. Just scroll down post toward bottom and you’ll see photos and information! https://www.asliceofsmithlife.com/2017/01/the-feast-of-epiphany-and-baptism-of.html?m=1

  9. Tracy Bua Smith says

    February 2, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    This is a great list! I would also add my friend, Brita’s, baby bouquets! Beautiful and practical! You can see photos and information on my blog post here. Just scroll toward bottom of post: https://www.asliceofsmithlife.com/2017/01/the-feast-of-epiphany-and-baptism-of.html?m=1

  10. Leslie says

    March 21, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    I’m a minimalist when it comes to baby gear, but I liked the Boppy pillow (good for nursing support and sitting baby up with) and the activity gym (hangs toys over a baby lying on its back). If baby will be cloth diapered a month’s supply of eco-friendly disposables is nice while you are getting used to things.

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New post up on the blog!!! A few weeks ago I had New post up on the blog!!!

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Often I need this reminder - God doesn't want us to feel stressed.
He wants us to rely on Him - trust Him.

He wants us to love.
Be patient and kind.

Many saints have discovered this and have advised us in their own words.

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Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… 

This type of advice can be really helpful for all of us… especially for a young girl navigating middle school or her early teens.

This advice would have helped me.
Why?

Because it takes some pressure off the high expectations often felt by us as individuals.

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This page in the Be Yourself embraces scrapbooking fun- just like the back cover. Only this page encourages photographs. Yes, actual printed ones 🎞️📸

Take a deep breath.
Love the next person that comes near you.
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A prayer and the story behind the picture… Oh S A prayer and the story behind the picture…

Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, 

I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; 

so that having engaged here below your heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. 

Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. 

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.

My children had off from school on Friday. I had committed to an hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from to 2 to 3 during Lent… so since they had off, they had to come with me.
It was stressful.
They CAN NOT sit still.
Once I got one to stop walking around or talking, another one started.
But in the middle of all this… I witnessed a sweet moment.
I hesitated to pull out my phone because I really try not to during Adoration.
But, the beauty of the moment struck me, and I had to capture it.
📸 
Motherhood is hard. Parenting is difficult.
But I’m often reminded it’s like farming… and I’m planting seeds.

I just hope and pray I’m planting more good seeds then bad ones.

Thank goodness we can pray and ask for prayers from others!

Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you! If you have left THANK YOU! Thank you!
Thank you!

If you have left a review on Amazon for either of the Be Yourself Journals… thank you from the bottom of my heart!

When you leave a review on Amazon it makes me SO HAPPY… plus it sends a signal to Amazon to show more people these books!
I’d love for more girls to get this book in their Easter Basket this year!

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I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 videos on YouTube!

And last week’s interview with Dr. Matthew Breuninger (@askacatholictherapist ) still has me thinking about the “psychology of prayer journaling “!

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I adore you Jesus, true God, and true man, pres I  adore you Jesus, 
true God, and true man, 
present in the Holy Eucharist, 
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and united in spirit 
with all the faithful on earth 
and all the saints in heaven. 

In gratitude for so great a blessing, 
I love you with all my heart, 
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and adoration. 

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Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… thes Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… these numbers are NOT in my favor?

Years ago, I was lonely, depressed and wondering if I would ever not be lonely and depressed.

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But, I wanted to marry a faithful Catholic man… and I believe I saw that only 22% (?) of Americans were Catholic.

And then I thought…
Half of them aren’t men, a large percentage are not practicing and … also how many are BOOMERS?

Lucky for me, God math goes like this…
5 loaves 
2 fish
=
5,000 meals and leftovers 

This is my handsome husband and our awesome nephew with the Bishop that Confirmed him on Friday.
Matt was -and is- such a proud Sponsor and Uncle!
God bless Grayson Patrick FRANCIS!

Thank you God for all of your gifts!!!
“You pay God a compliment when you ask big things of Him.” ~ Saint Teresa of Avila

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Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a retreat and you see joyful faces! 

Listen, this is the best retreat hack for Catholic girls!
****The Be Yourself Journal Scrapbooking activity.****

Give each girl a Be Yourself Journal.
Explain how, “We are all called to holiness but we take different paths.” ~ Saint Katharine Drexel.

Have each girl pick out a Holy card and two Catholic stickers.

Put scrapbooking paper and Catholic washi-tape (thank you @thestumpofjesse ) on the tables and get them started with decorating the back of their journals.

As they work add more stickers and quote cards to their table.

Point out that they were all given the same set of instructions… yet each cover design is unique.

The same is true for their calling!
God has a unique mission for each individual.

He calls us to follow the Commandments, embrace His Word and trust the teachings of the Church…
same set of basic instructions, different yet BEAUTIFUL results when followed!
“Be who God meant you to be and you’ll set the world on fire!” ~Saint Catherine of Siena
Huge thank you to the women who donated journals and holy cards!!!
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Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? 

Holy cards can be a fantastic prayer journal prompt. 

Copy the prayer off the back and glue the card to the page ;next to, underneath or above where you wrote the prayer).

Follow me for more prayer journaling tips!
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Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this week Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this weekend!

So excited to help these young Catholics see that each is called to holiness… but each mission is unique and unrepeatable!

Huge thank you to the women who donated journals for the retreat (11 donated!!!) and the women from my Bible study group who donated Holy cards!

If you would like to donate a Journal for one of the girls attending the retreat this weekend… send me a private message and I’ll explain how!

Holy cards are GREAT prayer journal prompts!

Which Holy card would you put in your prayer journal?
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Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in! Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in!!! “The world offers you comfort… but you were not made for comfort, you were made for GREATNESS!”
Pope Benedict XVI
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