Coming up with ideas for baby shower gifts can be difficult if the parents-to-be don’t have a baby registry. It’s something I’ve been known to agonize over for days, worried I will buy something they don’t like or already have.
So when three girlfriends, my sister and a neighbor announced their happy news within weeks of each other, I put my thinking cap on to come up with some baby shower gifts that would be not only useful but make the mom-to-be happy too.
Following, are five baby shower gifts that should please, regardless of whether you’re shopping for someone else, or looking for ideas to put on your baby registry.
Thoughtful & Useful Baby Shower Gifts
1) Diaper Cake
As boring as it may sound, diapers make great baby shower gifts. Granted, they’re not exciting, but have you ever heard a new mom complain about having too many diapers? I certainly haven’t. Rather than handing the expectant mom a box of diapers, why not give her a diaper cake?
For those unfamiliar with them, a diaper cake consists of diapers and other baby essentials such as bottles, pacifiers, soft toys, burp cloths and the like, arranged to resemble a tiered cake.
Great as a decorative centerpiece, diaper cakes are fun, useful and easy to make. Mom’s love them, and they’re calorie-free! There are numerous sites offering diaper cake ideas. Some have diaper cake instructions, so if you are a little crafty, you can make your own and personalize it.
If you don’t want to make one, buy a ready-made one.
2) Diaper Bag
First-time moms don’t realize the convenience of a diaper bag until they own one. A combination diaper/storage bag, the typical diaper bag is roomy enough to carry all of the baby’s essentials from diapers to a change of clothing, and more. It has a multitude of pockets for storing everything from bottles, pacifiers, rattles, to a purse, keys, cell phone, lip gloss and just about anything else mom and baby might need.
A must for outings, long or short, some of the cool diaper bags that are available today will fit right in at the trendiest coffee shop in town. This makes the diaper bag an ideal baby shower gift for the fashion-conscious mom-to-be.
3) Portable Baby Bouncer
Another great baby shower gift that any new mom and dad would love is a portable baby bouncer. Lighter and easier to transport, they are just as safe and comfortable as a regular baby bouncer. They fold for easy storage and transportation, and some even come with a handy carry bag. There are very basic models, and more elaborate ones with built-in vibration to rock and soothe a baby. Some also come with music, lights, and toys.
A portable baby bouncer is perfect for visits to grandma and grandpa’s, vacations away from home and anywhere else you want to be able to take your infant. They eliminate the inconvenience of having to leave the baby in his or her pram, lug them around in a cumbersome carrier or carry them in your arms.
After mom or dad puts the little one into their bouncer, their hands will be free to have a meal or do whatever they need to do while they rock the cradle with their foot, or let the baby rock him or herself. Either way, they can relax knowing their baby is happy, secure and comfortable.
Click here to read a brief overview of 7 top baby bouncers
4) Baby Memory Book
A baby memory book or baby journal is a thoughtful gift that every new parent will appreciate.
Most baby memory books have provision to record events from the first five years of the newborn’s life. The better ones also have room for pictures. Some baby journals also contain a pregnancy journal. These enable the expectant mom to record happenings in the months leading up to the baby’s arrival.
There are sections for recording everything from baby’s first day home, first smile, when he or she first sat up, crawled, walked, got their first tooth, attended school for the first time, and more. Often there will be pages for storing the baby’s birth certificate and hospital bracelet and hand and footprint impressions.
Primarily a memories book, a baby journal makes a wonderful keepsake. It’s a gift that will be cherished even more in years to come than it is on the day it was received.
5) Gift Certificate
You can’t go wrong with a gift certificate for the future parents who are difficult to buy for or seem to have everything.
Some people may think that giving a gift certificate is impersonal and taking the easy way out. Personally, I believe that they make an excellent gift. They enable the parents to buy what they need at a time when their budget may be tight.
If the parents-to-be have a baby gift registry, get the gift certificate from the relevant store. Another alternative is to give them a check card gift certificate, which works like a credit card. These can be used anywhere that accepts credit cards.
Final Baby Shower Gifts Suggestions
I usually add a soft toy for the baby and something for mom and dad, too. With everyone focused on the new addition to the family, sometimes the parents can feel a little left out. Giving them something fun to share can bring them closer at a time that while joyous is nevertheless stressful, especially for first-time parents.
The gift you choose to give the parents doesn’t have to be expensive. How about a new CD by their favorite artist or a care package of gourmet goodies? Or a voucher for dinner at the couples’ favorite restaurant, along with the offer to babysit?
Use your imagination, and you’re sure to come up with the perfect baby shower gift for the intended recipient.
