I might have posted about these bags?

Tide Hill Bags

YES that is what I was thinking--TY Olychick!

For the food gift. here's what I would do. Buy a burpcloth (I obv. don't have one so used a dishtowel to illustrate). Pair it with biodegradable flatware (this is very inexpensive but you need to buy it in a set of a gazillion), wrap it with twine or raffia, and then attach a tag. Write the gift (e.g. Frozen meals for 8) on the tag.

( i should've taken a better photo, the knife is sideways)

I don't know how much time you have, but it'd be a shame to buy these things just for this one gift. I have to go to UPS this am and would be happy to ship the cutlery, tag, and, if i have it ,twine/raffia. I can send 2 of each just in case or if you wanted to do two since it is presumable for 2 parents?

I have plenty of this cutlery!

And I also have a ton of tags, we use them for place cards. can spare some for you

I agree with your tote idea (she may get too many baskets). What size do you need? Seabags makes them from recycled sails, but they are pricey. I think something recycled or biodegradable or upcycled would be good.

PS, Here is an image of the cutlery, and I did find a source that sells a much smaller set! https://tableclothsfactory.com/products/24-pack-birchwood-utensils-set-in-natural-vintage-baroque-design-eco-friendly-biodegradable-wooden-forks-spoons-knives-for-rustic-themes-outdoor-parties?variant=42804128907449&utm_source=google&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19923087768&gbraid=0AAAAAD3DP1qrFQf1d7s561g4kVCTwVdhi&gclid=CjwKCAjw3_PCBhA2EiwAkH_j4vU0no04824BbXXrzH1TmtMea7N7eQkNUxtFkhdpDMKLd047-jR-4BoCA2MQAvD_BwE

What great ideas, Mtn-- thank you so much! You are the queen of wrapping!

What a generous offer to ship me the biodegradable placesettings but we gather a ton through the summer (mostly at sister's pool) so I can definitely make use of a gazillion lol!

I love the idea of recycled-- and more importanly, the parents will too! Many (not all) of the items on their registry state that second hand is appreciated and encouraged. This is their second child (son) and they know that clothes, etc are outgrown in the blink of an eye!

Nephew is an engineer (and sometimes ship captain) with NOAA so I think they'd love seabags . I dont mind spending a little more for something that will be used! And well, they are family ❤️

Many thanks for the ideas, giving examples, taking photos and all. You are the best! 😘

Oh.. and I have a little more than a week. I should have time to have all shipped. (I hope!)

Back in the okden days, we wrapped gifts in cloth diapers but I guess thats not an option, or maybe it is.

Maybe an upsidedown baby beach hat that makes a small basket.

Shopping bags are great.

love the hat idea ded! but one of the gifts is a quilt lol

Yes-- cloth diapers (yes, some still use-- my employee who just returned from maternity leave does) and the hat are great ideas ... but there are a lot of gifts including a quilt. even if I pulled the quilt out, it would be too much. Great idea though!

I often wrap gifts in a tote bag-- to the point that folks may be overrun with them LOL. Still, I love the idea of a seabag or tide hill bag! I wish they were a little less expensive but I DO think they will be used and appreciated!

A large soft cloth basket to hold toys will be appreciated. You could go baby or something that would not be hideous in their living room where things will accumulate.

Also a good idea, Arcy but this is baby #2 -- they have lots of toy bins throughout the house. If I was going to give a basket, it would be for the baby's room but to Mtns point, they will likely get a bunch of them (and I know she has linen and diaper baskets already)

I’d look for a treasure chest or fishing net. :)

Our TJ's has cute octopus reusable shopping bags right now. I think I've seen them before but it's been a while.

ohhh those are awesome, Dee! Not really what I would normally choose for a gift but they would LOVE them!

Party Music .. love the idea of a fishing net too -- in fact, I believe I have my grandfather's in the basement but I don't think it would be big enough. (also it had fish stuff in it at one time lol)

Funky, I agree that a shopping bag is unconventional but when you mentioned the theme, the Dad's profession and their making a point to be conscientious about recycling and reusing, these popped into my head.

Yes.. I very muxh agree! I am definitely considering them!

Maybe the kid will have a big head in which case the hat would work ( but poor mom!) 😉

LOL Ded! Lets hope not!

The fish smell is all part of the experience. :)

How large is your bundle of gifts? could you assemble a bundle that could then be contained in/on something like an inflatable shark float? Cheap one at walmart: Inflatable shark float

or can you strap the bundle together inside of a life jacket? another walmart cheapy: Life jacket

they also sell larger fish nets: Fish net

Love shark float idea! With this idea cellophane is your friend here😁

I love all these ideas but keeping with the spirit of avoiding waste as requested by the parents ...

we as a family have more than enough floats and I want to avoid cellophane -- again, the couple is welcoming second hand gifts and wants us to avoid wrapping waste. Whatever I use to bundle everything should be usable..

even the gorgeous totes are giving me pause because we ALL have many totes. Still, they are beautiful so I am definitely torn. My gut is telling me that the TJ shopping bags are the way to go-- if my TJs has them (I will look over the weekend).

I also realized that I COULD wrap everything in one big bundle with the quilt -- not sure i can make it look nice lol.. but I could do it with a wide raffia ribbon.

I will also look for a larger fishnet .. that could be fun!

Regardless how I wrap everything else-- i will be using Mtn's suggestion for the freezer meals part of the gift.

Thank you all! ❤️❤️❤️

The TJ bags are a great idea! I do think many of us have too many totes, and even though I know you are generous, would they really want an expensive tote?

Might I also suggest TJ's fabric sardine bag? I bought mine last Fall but they still sell them in stores (even though I see people selling them for a premium on line?). They are $3.99

https://traderjoeslist.com/trader-joes-sardines-bag-review-3-99/

Mine is on display in my K, red handle and all! The link to theme may be a little more attenuated, but good looks can often make up for little shortcomings, n'est-ce pas?

Glad we could all be of help!

Oh yes! that could work also!

part of my issue is that i wasnt thoughtful with my purchases. i picked up a number of unrelated things things… some clothes, a sun hat, swaddles, a car seat base they needed, a quilt, aromatherapy shower bombs the mom wanted and a massage gift card. really, could i have been any more chaotic? lol I usually put more thought into a gift so i feel like i have no foundation lol.

i am thinking maybe i save the massage and shower bombs for after the baby arrives. That would remove at least one arm of the chaos!

Meh, chaos is a spin.

Think of it as a melange, a cornucopia, a sampler ....

And you ... not thoughtful! What? OMG you must need sleep or something.

LOL yes-- a melange! Plus they are all things they need!

and yes--- I DID need sleep. I was posting from my pillow :)