Baby Shower Gift Ideas

So, someone you know is having a baby and you have been invited to the baby shower. Sure, you want to bring a gift, but what to bring? There are three ways to go: directly off a baby registry, non registry, or a combination of both.

Baby Registry

While it may not be unique, the first thing you should check is if the new parents have a baby registry. This is a list that they have made with the things that they want. When you look at the registry, pay attention to the brand/model that the parents have put on the list. With the internet it is very easy to find reviews of almost any product and there is a good chance that the parents put a specific item on their list based on the reviews. So, a substitute isn’t a good idea.

But, what if you didn’t like what was on the registry?

This is where a non registry gift comes into play. The best way to do a non registry gift is to either focus on gifts for the parents, or focus on gifts you know babies need, but the parents forgot to put on the registry.

Gifts for the parents

• Gift certificate to restaurant – find one that delivers so they can easily use it before or after the baby is born
• Offer of babysitting
• Cook dinner and deliver after the baby is born – busy parents will appreciate not having to figure out what to make and care for baby at the same time
• Gift certificate to a photography studio
• Photo album
• Extra memory card for their digital camera
• Gift certificate for house cleaning

Gifts the parents may have forgotten

• The soft covers for the carts at grocery stores, or the similar covers for high chairs at restaurants
• Bottle drying rack
• Baby clothes hangers
• Health kit: include a bunch of baby specific items such as Tylenol, thermometer, diaper rash ointment, nail clippers, etc.

So, now that you know what you are going to get, what’s a way to wrap or present the gift?

A classic way to give gifts is with a gift basket. However, when it comes to babies, there are many things that a baby will use that can become a great basket.

• Infant bath tub
• Wagon that the baby will use when they are older, but is super cute when filled with baby items
• High chair
• Stroller
• Carrier

Of course, a high chair, stroller, and baby carrier are expensive gifts that a single person might not buy then fill with more gifts. However, they could make a great group gift. The new parents will be so touched if someone rolls in a new stroller, filled with other, smaller gifts.

If the parents don’t have a registry, or you still don’t know what to get them, then diapers are always a good gift. Double check that the parents haven’t decided to use cloth diapers, and if they have a preferred brand.

When it comes down to it, the purpose of baby shower gifts is to get items that will make taking care of a new baby easier. Whether that means you purchase items from the baby registry, or get a gift for the parents, or do a little of both, the new parents will have an easier time. And that is a great gift.