Creative Ways to Save on Baby Shower Gifts
It’s pretty interesting how, despite news about people having fewer kids or deciding not to have any, I keep getting invited to baby showers. I have another one coming up in July, making it my eighth in less than a year. If you’re heading to a baby shower, here are some practical tips to help you save money on gifts that will be both useful and appreciated.
Take advantage of sales and coupons: I didn’t plan on attending eight baby showers in a year, but I did have an idea of a few coming up. So, I prepared ahead of time. I targeted sales at stores like Kohl’s, combining discounts like 30% off with $10 off $30 purchases on kids’ clothes. In the winter, I found summer baby clothes on clearance at great prices. Since new parents usually get plenty of newborn outfits, I focused on buying sizes for 9-12 months. Besides clothing, I also used coupons for baby essentials like Aveeno Baby lotions, often spotting deals on sites like TotallyTarget.com. By stacking Target gift cards, manufacturer coupons, Cartwheel deals, and Target coupons, I got these lotions for about $1.50 each. I found similar deals on crib sheets too. If you know there’s a baby shower coming up, watch for deals like these and stock up when prices drop.
Check out Facebook Marketplace: Although I haven’t bought gifts through this yet, it seems promising. I’m part of several local Facebook groups for buying and selling baby and children’s items. These groups let me sell things I no longer need and buy used items at a fraction of the cost. Many new moms list brand new baby items that are extra at reduced prices. If you belong to such groups, put up a post saying you’re looking for new with tags (NWT) baby items and keep an eye on updates.
Consider giving bonds: Bonds might not be wrapped up with fancy bows, but they make a practical gift that gains value over time. A $25 bond now can be worth $50 or more by the time the child is older.
Any new mom will tell you that baby showers often lead to a flood of unnecessary or duplicate gifts. Being invited to multiple baby showers shouldn’t put a dent in your finances. Sometimes, giving small, thoughtful gifts is more sensible than spending big on something that might never get used.