When buying a baby gift, the first question should be "Are you registered anywhere?" A baby shower registry is a perfect guide for gift-giving and leaves no room for error. But in the absence of a gift registry, it may be hard to choose just the right baby shower or infant gift. Here are some great suggestions:
Clothes in Bigger Sizes
New parents usually have received piles of clothes for their baby to wear during the first 6 months of his or her life, but rarely receive clothes in larger sizes. A gift of clothes in a larger size is much more likely to be used than a smaller infant size. Even sizes as large as 24 months or 2T would make appropriate baby shower or newborn gifts.
Packages of Diapers and Wipes
The cost of diapers is a very significant part of raising a baby. Diapers and wipes make practical and useful gifts that are always appreciated by parents. New parents often underestimate how many diapers they will actually need for their baby in the first few months, so helping them to stock up on these essentials is a great baby present.
Something Special for the New Mom
The baby will be receiving tons of gifts, but what about the new mom? After going through pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery, new moms could use some pampering. Good ideas for mom gifts are a manicure/pedicure set, a massage tool, scented lotions, a gift certificate for a massage or dinner out, a movie rental gift card, or a new book to read while nursing.
Gift Cards for Baby Supplies
It's hard to go wrong with a gift card. Baby gear gets expensive, and gift cards help parents to buy items they haven't received as gifts already. A word of caution about using gift cards: match the store to the recipient. A mom who prefers bargain basement-type stores may not ever get to a Baby Gap to use her gift card, and moms who want nothing but the best for their baby may think that a Wal-Mart gift card is a tacky or offensive gift.
A Group Baby Gift
Pooling your gift money with other friends of the new mom is a great idea when she wants something major. For instance, if she's mentioned that she really wants a jogging stroller, talk to other gift-givers and see if you could go in on one together. Babies with an older sibling usually have all the necessities handed down to them, but collaborating and buying a double stroller may be appreciated.
When considering these suggestions, remember that the most important source of ideas is the new mom herself. Gift-givers should always ask the new parents what they already have and what they still need for the baby. Amidst the hectic adjustment of having a new baby, it's unlikely that parents will ever make it to the store to return a duplicate gift.
For lifesaving baby gifts that don't come in a box, read "Help that New Moms Really Need." To learn and avoid common shopping mistakes for baby gifts, read "5 Worst Baby Shower and Newborn Gifts."
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