Baby Showers are a fantastic way for parents-to-be to celebrate their little one on the way with all their friends and family. It’s also a time for those friends and family to shower them in gifts for when baby arrives, but picking said gift can be a tricky decision. Baby grows and cuddly toys may seem like a safe bet, but it’s likely that everyone else has the same idea. As new parents, being inundated with baby clothing that will no doubt be too small a few months down the line and having enough soft toys to fill the playroom top to bottom can be more of a hindrance rather than a help.
Instead, taking the time to pick a practical yet thoughtful gift that both parents and baby will enjoy is better than buying something for the sake of it. We’ve put together a list of some of the best baby shower gifts to suit all styles and budgets, so whether you’re baby savvy or not, you’ll be able to pick something that’s sure to go down a storm at the shower.
To help you make your decision, consider what type of people the parents are, and the kind of gift they’d truly appreciate. If they’re first time parents, practical gifts that will make the first few months of parenthood that little bit easier will go a long way – think hampers with towels and linen or a comforter to help baby (and parents) sleep. Toys can be a good idea, but it is worth considering options that support baby development to avoid it being a fun- but inevitably and potentially useless purchase down the line.
Are they style conscious? If so, pick something like a funky play mat or baby bib. Do they like to travel? Pick out some cute baby travel accessories. Are they sentimental? Think photo albums or memory books. It’s those little details that will make your present one of the best baby shower gifts, and one that is most appreciated, rather than just being a last minute “safe” purchase.
Ewan the sheep has taken the parenting world by storm. This cuddly little purple sheep is a sleep aid for babies and is especially good for those with colic. The soft toy can be clipped onto a Moses basket, cot, pushchair or car seat in order to induce sleep wherever you are. Ewan has a range of sounds that are designed to mimic those which baby would hear inside the womb, along with the sound of a heartbeat, in order to provide comforting and familiar sounds when trying to get them off to sleep. Ewan also features a warm pink glow and a choice of other sounds suitable for older babies such as rain and harp music. Parents who own a Ewan absolutely love how quickly this helps their baby get to sleep, and we all know that when baby sleeps, parents sleep, so we think any parent-to-be wouldn’t want to be without Ewan when their little one comes along.
This wicker Moses basket hamper is full of useful bits and bobs that make a great gift for both parents and baby. The set includes 2 cotton fitted sheets, 1 pram blanket, 1 teddy and the basket it comes in. All of the linen is 100% cotton which means it is kind to babies’ skin, and the Moses basket can be used for baby or simply as a beautiful way to store spare linen or baby clothes within a nursery. The white can get dirty quickly, but we think all parents will be grateful for the spare sheets and bedding when they’re about to take on a newborn.
Get ready to start the adventure with this beautiful gold and silver baby’s first passport and luggage tag. If the parents-to-be are keen travellers, then this is the perfect way to get their little one in on the action, and when they get older it will make for a beautiful keepsake. It’s well made and well presented in a striped gift boxed addressed “to baby”, and the neutral colours mean it’s the perfect gift if you don’t yet know the sex of the baby. We particularly like how it’s finished with a crystal embellished teddy; giving it an expensive and luxurious feel.
Style conscious parents would love this plush teddy bear playmat. Its neutral tones and soft appearance is a far cry from some of the plastic playmats on the market, and makes for a cosy place for little ones to sleep or play while mum enjoys some well-earned downtime in front of the telly. It comes with a frame mobile that features different soft animals and sounds, and teddy has crinkle, rattle and bell sounds in his arms and feet, designed to keep babies occupied for hours. Yes, we know what you’re thinking, surely the cream and brown is asking for trouble with spillages and drool, but teddy is machine washable at 40 degrees; making this luxurious playmat surprisingly low maintenance.
Neal’s Yard produces all natural remedies that are safe for babies and kind to their skin. This beautiful gift box includes pure baby oil to keep their little ones skin silky smooth, and baby bath and shampoo which is suitable from 3 months and older. This is a great baby shower gift for those parents who are advocates of all-natural ingredients as these remedies are completely fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Parents who have used Neal’s Yard shampoo said it’s incredibly gentle on the skin and it lathers well, meaning it goes a long way. Mums have also said it keeps their little one’s skin softer than Johnsons.
A great baby shower gift for sentimental parents; the Julien Macdonald Hello Baby Record Book is the perfect way to make memories and keep a record of all of baby’s “firsts”. The book features photo frames and envelopes to store keepsakes, as well as pages dedicated to milestones such as “baby’s first birthday” where you can keep notes on the day. This can be a little tricky for parents to keep up with in the first few months of parenthood, but it’s a great gift for them to sit down with at a later date and go through all their wonderful memories together.
Sophie, a little like Ewan, has become somewhat of a household name in the world of parenting. This Giraffe teether is the perfect little toy for chewing on when little ones start getting their first teeth. She’s loved by boys and girls everywhere and parents like her too, apart from saying she’s a little overpriced. Because of that, Sophie the Giraffe Teether is one of the best baby shower gifts because it is something that parents wouldn’t necessarily buy themselves. She’s small enough to fit in a handbag or changing bag so baby can be comforted wherever you go, and she squeaks making her a toy as well as a teether.
Trendy mums and dads will without a doubt love this Mamas and Papas Cowshed gift box. It includes a cute unisex bunny all-in-one and a little sheep cuddly toy for baby, and a candle for mum to enjoy when relaxing in the bath. This is an expensive gift set, but if the parents love all things designer, then this set will go down a treat. The candle is 100% soy wax with an Egyptian cotton wick, providing 60 hours of burn time, and the baby grow is 100% cotton; the best baby shower gift for any vegan or vegetarian parents-to-be.
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What about our guide to the best gifts for toddlers too?
