What is a good baby shower gift for a girl when you're on a tight budget?

Get the mom a gift certificate for a pedicure, and offer up some free childcare while she’s getting pampered. Should cost you about $25.

If she is going to use cloth diapers, then a bag of those. If disposables, then a bag of those. People with babies never have too many diapers, and you can get away with spending about $15.00.

You could give her a homemade coupon book for babysitting, dog walking, cleaning, laundry, going to the grocery store, or whatever little job you are willing to help with.
New mommies don’t have a lot of free time, and sometimes they need some help with every day tasks.

I second the diapers, they are a great baby shower gift.
You could always go to babies r us, and shop the bargain racks, lots of great stuff but it’s inexpensive.

I third the diapers. Sounds like a “practical” gift, but for a mom, they’re the best. Even a size up from newborn, cause those little ones grow so fast.

@elijahsuicide has a great answer, too. A coupon for babysitting would be a heavenly gift for a new mom.

even if the new mom isn’t ready to go out and actually leave the baby with a sitter, you could still be there to care for the baby while mom naps or takes a shower.
You never actually appreciate time to shower until you have a new baby, I remember calling my mom in tears just because I felt so gross!

@elijahsuicide I remember those days! My young cousin would come over and just watch the baby, so I could shower or throw laundry in. It’s unbelievable how little time to yourself you have. And, the entire time I was showering I kept thinking my son was crying he wasn’t lol

Oh hunnie, I just went through this.

Babies have daiper blowouts ALL THE TIME and get poop all over their onesies, esp. tiny newborns who’s diapers may be too tight or too big until the parents figure out the diaper thing. A package of 3 newborn onsies is $9. That was all I was able to afford for my sister-in-law’s baby shower.

Thanks everyone for your help. I ended up buying some cute Winnie the Pooh beanies and a little rattle.

Ahem. Diaper cake. They’re pretty, practical, and clean up messes rather than make them.

Picture of the one I made for my friend’s baby shower: link
And instructions on how to make your own: link

Additionally, I’m semi-disappointed that you already bought your gift, because I think these are great. But maybe next time. ;)

@StephK That^ is awesome and will be stolen for my the next baby shower I have to go to.