Baby Clothes - Poll

[ColleenSwerb]

Ok. So Jordan's best friend had a baby girl in November. We were on our honeymoon during the baby shower and didn't get them anything. Then we were going to just write them a check to get whatever they needed, as a baby shower + Christmas present (we saw them over Christmas), except Jordan forgot his checkbook.

So this weekend is the christening, and we want to get them some outfits for her. They have said that they have tons and tons of clothes up to 6 months, and some up to 9 months, but really nothing after that.

So I went to Babies R Us and all the cute spring stuff is out now. Except she's 3 months and has more 3 month clothes than she knows what to do with, same for 6 months. By 9 months it'll be summer, almost fall. And naturally at 12 months we're in the fall. So we want to buy the bigger clothes, but all the fall winter stuff is out of stores (I picked up some 12 month onesies off the clearance rack, but the clearance rack was pretty dismal).

So do I buy 12-18 month stuff in the cute springy stuff that they have to wait a whole year to use? Or do I buy whatever I want, give them the gift receipt, and they can do what they want. I would just give them a gift card in the first place, but Jordan really wants to get them an actual present.

[jenn7]

As someone who has been the recipient of such gifts, I'd rather get a gift card and some other sort of gift that could be used (perhaps a frame for the baptism?) than an outfit that may never be worn. I ended up giving away clothes with the tags still on them because Jenna just outgrew the sizes too fast. And every baby grows at a different rate so it's hard to say, oh they'll be such and such size next year. KWIM?

[jorgies5]

I always liked it when people gave the larger sizes. They grow out of things so fast, it is nice to have something on hand when they do. So, I would say buy the 12-18 month size.

[nikkiARNGwife]

Sizing though can be off...like right now Ella is 14 mos but she's a big girl and wearing 24 mo sizes in almost everything. That said though if it were ME I'd prefer the larger sizes...I know I had so so much when she was tiny..and honestly all we ever used were onsies...so I too had tons that never got worn.

[pewtertm]

When Rachel was born, we were gifted everything from newborn to size 4T clothes (seriously LOL). I actually liked having some of the bigger sizes, although with babies, that 12mos outfit might not fit at 12mos of age. Rachel was barely just into her 9 mos outfits at 12 mos...12 mos fit her at 18mos. Of course now she's 4yrs old and wearing a size 6 or 7, depending on the brand. Most of my friend have had the opposite experience...their babies were wearing the 12 mos well before their first birthdays.

All of that to say if you really like it, get it (maybe go with bigger size like 9mos), and give her the receipt. It'll fit her when it fits her...and mommy can always exchange it if need be.

[ColleenSwerb]

Yea, that's the only thing I'm worried about with the bigger sizes in spring clothes, because all babies grow SO differently.

We're going to give them the gift receipt anyway, so I guess they can always return anything we get and do what they want. Jordan just REALLY wants to get her some clothes, lol. It's kinda cute, even though it's frustrating because he doesn't understand that babies grow differently, or that the fall stuff is gone so I can't just buy bigger stuff.

Thanks ladies!! :)

[Emmy]

I would buy her a couple of books and a gift card for clothes.

[MamaBee]

LOL... my son is going to be 3 in a few weeks... he is so tall and slender for his age (shocking if you see me and hubby) that his waist fits 18-24mon... and length is 36 mon.

Personally, I would ask if they even want clothes. A few of my friends don't like getting clothes because they only like certain brands... there might be something else that they would like... $$ toward classes or a toy.

[mpatry]

clothes that can be worn almost any time of year can also be good... then it doesn't matter what time of year the baby finally fits into it.

[jessica31876]

If it was me Id buy her the bigger sizes because all babies grow at such a different rate. My son was 11 pounds at birth and was wearing 12-18 months sizes at six months. My daughter stayed pretty much in the size her age was (at 12 months she was in 12-18 months and at 2 she was in between 2 and 3 etc). My youngest son was six weeks premature and he wore newborn sizes for several months and did not graduate to 3-6 months until he was right at six months.

[heathergw]

clothes that can be worn almost any time of year can also be good... then it doesn't matter what time of year the baby finally fits into it.

this was what I was thinking... jeans, onesies and stuff like that... the basics if you're going to get bigger sizes. I loved having the bigger clothes but then again my kids fit in the size that matches their age so it was never a problem but my kids are small compared to the average, so it's really hard to buy seasonal stuff for kids so little.

[carriesmom]

I agree with some all around basics. My oldest was a big girl so by the time she was one she was 18 months to 24 months (she is 2 1/2 and we wear 4T) and then my youngest is one year and has a 9 month waist but a 18 month length. We have fits with pants. I had a bunch of onesies I bought for my daughter when fall first came that I thought (oh she can wear these next year), my mom is now selling them on ebay with the tags still attached. Either buy basic or give a gift or some books, something they can't outgrow. Diapers, formula, bottles, wipes are great gifts too! It is amazing how they go through that stuff!

[newfiemountiewife]

Col, you could always get her a light sweater, Gap usually has nice ones, and they can be used all year long.

The point about babies growing at different rates is really a valid one. I have two girls, and they are completely off season from each other. I have to buy everything over, because Amelia's winter coat for example, didn't fit Rae in the winter, and by the time the following winter came along, it was too small. So sometimes having two of the same gender even back fires LOL.

[Sarah8914]

bigger clothes! I always think it's so fun with the baby is a bigger size and you have a few cute things already that people have given you.

[aggiefamily]

I would get pjs or sleepers. Now matter what age or what size they are, they will wear them. You could get some light weight long sleeve pj sets and they will be good year round.

[emmasmommy]

i like amanda's suggestion actually...

My children would live in pajamas, especially in the winter months when we don't go many places. lightweight sleepers are great for cool weather.

[WalkersMommy]

I agree pajamas are a great idea! Also, I know here, in Washington, it's usually chilly enough all year round to wear a jacket, so maybe a sweatcoat or lightweight coat would be a good idea! :)

[Megan Turnidge]

I got TONS of little clothes at my baby shower - and when Allie was little I pretty much always dressed her in onesies and PJs. The cute little outfits people got barely were used (if at all). I really appreciated the cute outfits in larger sizes - but just try and keep it a little neutral as far as seasons go. Around here, we wear short sleeve tees all year long so tees and jeans were really gret gifts and it didn't matter if she grew into them earlier or later than expected.

[Paula]

I'd get them a gift card and then they can get what they want/need for her.

[scrap2day]

If it were me, I would probably get a children's bible or children's book of bible stories because it is a christening. I like the suggestion of a sweater or pjs in a bigger size that could be worn almost yearound -- and since you mention wanting to buy some clothes. And then I would probably throw in a gift card so they can get what they need. Of course, this is only because you say you're trying to cover three gifts.

[Stacey42]

I'd go with some cute onesies or PJs and a gift card.

[AmyM]

I voted for get whatever u want. You can't always say 100% what size a baby will be wearing at 12 months. Maybe they'll hit a growth spurt and end up in 18 month clothes. Hard to predict sometimes.
Gift card to mom's favorite baby store is a safe bet and something she could always use.

[scrap2day]

Col, apparently it has been a long time since I've been to a christening. This is my favorite gift to give (boy or girl).

Christening bonnet that turns into wedding hankie. I just buy mine locally but this gives you an example of what I'm talking about.

http://www.babygiftclouds.com/christening/prod_details_christening_bonnet.php?ID=258

& for those wondering, for a boy, many times there is lace on the Christening outfit anyway or you can find bonnets with a minimal amount of lace that still transform into the wedding hankie. Plus there are many patterns out there if you want to make your own. For a boy baby, it is a gift for his bride to carry at their wedding.

[MandaT]

I said, whatever you want...or feel is appropriate.

If they don't like it, or it doesn't fit then they can always return it for something else. It's the thought that counts. :)

[ColleenSwerb]

Thanks for all the input ladies!

I got 2 sets of onesies for 12 months, because she can wear those anytime, and a set of pants for 12 months for the same reason. I got her some cuter springy outfits in the larger sizes, and they can do with those what they wish. 2 of them are tops and pants, so even if they top is too cold, they can use the little pants. They'll get the gift receipts and can return whatever they don't like/won't need/etc.

I just couldn't help myself from buying a few cute little outfits, lol. I know they'll understand that too, lol. Now I just need to work on getting Jordan on the baby train ;)

[Heather Roselli]

How about getting a cute little spring/summer hat or shoes or cute socks? AND then get a GC for the rest of the money you would have spent on the clothes. That way you have something to wrap and give, you have something she can wear now/soon, and they can go get what they need when they need it.

[lovely1m]

I bought all my clothes a year ahead of time even the itty bitty stuff. It all got worn.

[itstrott4u18]

I suggest you to select something different to present as your friend is close to you on other hand i like your views to present clothes apart from these you make an insurance of the baby name and present it is on her birthday....