If you have a friend who’s expecting, and you’ve been invited to the baby shower, it’s easy to get stuck deciding on a gift. Baby shower gifts can be surprisingly difficult to buy – do you get something for the mom, or the baby? What if you and someone else get the same gift? Should you get something practical, like baby wipes or diapers, or something beautiful, like a keepsake or memento?
Read on for great baby gift buying tips! Or visit Bitsy Bug Boutiques for more.
Don’t buy newborn clothes.
Babies grow fast – like, really, really fast. It’s likely that the expectant parents already have tons of newborn stuff, and to be honest, most newborns live in sleepsuits and onesies because clothing fits for such a short period of time. If you do want to buy clothes, choose things that are bigger or designed for a slightly older baby.
Be practical.
There’s nothing wrong with asking someone what they would like to get as a gift, especially if you know there’s likely to be something that the person needs. This is especially true for expectant parents, as babies need a lot of stuff and they may have a few things they still really need. As we said earlier, you can never have too many diapers or wipes! If it’s a big and expensive thing that they need, such as a stroller or car seat, pool resources with some friends and get them something they really need, rather than a stuffed animal they probably already have 50 of.
Get vouchers.
If you’re not 100% sure on what the expectant parents do or don’t need, why not buy them a voucher for a baby store? That way, they can get something they need when they need it – maybe even a while after the baby is born! They could even use your voucher to buy bigger clothes when they outgrow all the newborn stuff they’re sure to get from other friends and family.
Think of mama.
Pregnancy is a long and exhausting process, and by the time of the baby shower, the mom-to-be has been carrying a bunch of extra weight and suffering from hormone fluctuations, mood swings, and all sorts of aches and pains for months on end. She deserves a final bit of pampering before giving birth. Putting together a hamper of some of her favorite treats, bath products, scented candles, and any other small gifts will help her relax and feel good.
Do it DIY.
If you’re a crafty sort of person and can draw, knit, sew, paint, or craft, make something unique for the mom or baby. Try room decor, a picture, handmade toys or clothes. These add an extra layer of thoughtfulness to your gift.
As long as you stick to useful, practical items and take into consideration what the parents may need, you know you have a great gift. A personal touch is always a winner, too!