1. Look for outfits on clearance. Try and buy a bigger size. Little ones grow so fast and mother's usually end up with outfits in the 0-3 month size that were never worn.
2. Casseroles that can be frozen.
3. I have given out the book I'll Love You Forever before. Anytime I find a copy I buy it. Yesterday I found a copy that looked brand new at Once Upon a Child for $1.00.
4. Diapers (combine a sale with a coupon if you can)

Any other ideas?

Wipes!! My friend bought me a big box of wipes for every month that I was prego. Sounds silly. But I had roughly 8 boxes of wipes (I think that there are like 430 wipes per box-Walmart brand) so I had about 3440 wipes when my ds was born. Since she bought one once a month, it was only about $7-8 out of her pocket per month. A lot of money to spend at once, but really nothing if you spread it out.

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Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.
Jon Bon Jovi

A diaper "cake"
Baby item coupons (some might think it's kind of tacky...but I totally asked everyone to give me coupons)
A basket full of the miniature sized baby items like shampoo, soaps, etc that you usually get for free from the hospital or the free trial size ones. We are always using ours when we travel.
An educational bond. I get these for each of our close friends kids when they are born. I pay $25 for a $50 bond that matures in 10 years. You can get these from your bank in any amount.

Sandra

P.S.
I really like the box of wipes a month idea.

How about a baby sitting or housekeeping coupon. You could hand make it or print something on the computer and then laminate it. One evening of free childcare or a day of house cleaning.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

I always find out what my friends really like that they want to share with their babies or how they plan to raise them. I try to get a basket together such as inexpensive bottles, breast feeding bags, etc (stuff I can usually get under $1) then I make a book of babysitting coupons (one hour, two hours, all day, etc... depending on how close the friend is) and I make a book based on how the kid will be raised. For example, I knew a mother who only wanted her child to use organic stuff including baby food that she was going to make. I made a whole recipe book on how to make homemade wipes, organic baby food, etc.... then I laminated the pages and bound it together with pretty ribbon. I usually only spend around $5 and my time.