If you have had your shower - need help - need pics and ideas

My office is throwing a surprise shower for someone. We are going all out for her (she's not married, her boyfriend goes to school full time, works part time and she works full time. So she is doing a lot with little help from family) and we are planning a nice big shower for her. So we have officially started the planning today.

We know she's having a boy.

Now comes the fun...the gifts.
my one co-worker is amazingly gifted when it comes to needle work and croching. She's making a blanket and some other items for the baby.

We're also going to be doing the diaper cakes.

I need pics of gift baskets, the fathers utility belt thing, clothes line, etc...

everything and anything you got will greatly be appreciated

THanks so much!!

Re: If you have had your shower - need help - need pics and ideas

I'll try to find pics later when I'm home from work, but may I suggest that either as part of the shower or after the baby comes......MEALS! Frozen prepared meals.

I saw one episode of A Baby story or one of those shows where every guest brought some frozen food or a basket with pasta and jars of sauce, etc. Boxes of cereal. Bagels, cold cuts after baby is born.

Also great practical gifts: diapers in various sizes, wipes, BATTERIES!!! Getting these was better than all the clothes! Pampers.com now has gift certificates!!! You can ask some of your co-workers to sign up at the diaper and formula websites and give her the coupons when they come!

Clothes: get them in various sizes, not just newborn or 3-6....go for the 12 or 18 month so she has stuff! You'd be surprised what you can buy on clearance NOW for the future for DIRT CHEAP and then you can buy MORE of it! Check Children's Place (store and online) for items that are like $3.99 and if you sign up for the e-mail....you get sent coupons and online codes!!!) When it's really off season, the outlet you can find stuff for $0.99!!! YESS....I got 4th of July tees for 99 cents!!

Clothesline: You can buy twine and wooden clips and clip the outfits to the twine and carefully put it into maybe a toybox or a hamper and she can slowly pull it out OR you can hang it in the office before she gets there and use it as a deocration...maybe theme it....like holiday outfits and bibs? Or colors?

And as far as baby blankets.....I have 2 handknit ones, a bunch of fleece (which is GREAT), thermals, flannels, a handmade quilt, the one that came with her bedding.....I don't use ANY of them right now. She kicks them off and it's suggested that blankets are a smothering hazard. I want to be able to hang some of hers on the wall since they are so beautiful (the handmade quilt is my fave!). But infants don't use blankets....just lightweight ones MAYBE to swaddle in. The lady who is making a blanket...ask her to make it either a lap blankie to snuggle with OR a bit bigger for when the child is older?

Re: If you have had your shower - need help - need pics and ideas

SHANA THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

This is all incredably helpful. My co-worker and I have been emailing each other from home with ideas. I am going to send her what you posted.

Thanks!!!