Your friends or family (or both, lucky you) probably will throw you a baby shower. Let them. "But my family is crazy and annoying!" Shut up. Just let them. It's a great way to get people to buy you things that you would easily spend too much money on. Save your money for purchasing "transition" clothes, the things you'll wear when you're too small for maternity (finally!) but too chubby for your old jeans. (Where are you H&M?!)

Now, what to buy? Those "necessary items" lists you see in books and online can be daunting. Chances are that you will never need a baby wipes warmer. Just how cold is your house? Can a baby's butt not withstand room temperature? We reccomend sticking with the basics such as a crib, a stroller, a car seat, a breast pump and/or bottles, a bouncer, and a whole mess of cute onesies and toddler clothes. Starting with these basics will make you feel like you've accomplished something, and people will ineveitably fill in the gaps with things like silk bathrobes for your 3 months old (Hi, Hef!)

Keep shopping after the jump!

Photo of well-appointed nursery contributor's own