Baby Showers: How to Choose the Perfect Gift
When shopping for a new parent, it’s easy to get carried away.
You may be thrilled as can be to contribute to decorating the new nursery. For example, maybe you really like clowns. Perhaps you spend a chunk of change on a grinning figure holding up a cluster of light-up balloons--and you throw in some clown face pillows, while you’re at it. But I think you know where we’re going with this:
Maybe the new mom is terrified of clowns. Even if you’re wiser than to go with a clown motif and have impeccable style, the parents generally like to decorate the nursery themselves. So what’s an enthusiastic loved one supposed to do?
Ask About the Registry
I know, it’s not as exciting as picking out something yourself, but you’re giving the gift of showing you care by purchasing something your friend really wants. If there isn’t a registry, ask the new parents what they’re hoping to receive. Get a few ideas, because if all they say is the $500 stroller, they may be disappointed.
Go Practical
Keep in mind what’s practical for one isn’t always practical for another. For instance, we know one minimalist gal that uses cloth diapers. She knits little pants and shorts that she coats inside with lanolin so they’re waterproof and then pulls them over the diaper. Therefore, a big box of disposable diapers would not be a great gift for her. This likely won’t be a problem, but it doesn’t hurt to talk to the mom a little and get an idea of her style before you rush out and buy a gift.
When our shopping cart baby hammocks became a big hit, we realized parents love practical gifts that they’ll use regularly. A practical gift could be a basket or diaper bag filled with essentials such as diapers, diaper rash ointment, baby bottles, a cozy blanket and some pacifiers. Other ideas could be a nursing pillow, a baby bath, clothes (go up a size or two), a baby medical kit or a swaddler.
If you’ve had a child of your own, you probably know what you used the most. If not, ask a parent what their favorite gift was or what they wished they received.
Always, always, always get a gift receipt though, and include it with whatever gift you choose. Put it in an envelope and maybe even take a picture and text it to the new parent after the shower is over, just in case they lose it.
Something For the Parents
Give new parents something to help ease them into this new phase of life. If you know of a restaurant they like, a gift card can be a lifesaver. Especially if the restaurant delivers. You can be cute about it and put it in a refrigerator picture frame magnet and write on the front in a sharpie: For an Emergency.
Another helpful gift would be to buy them a housecleaning session for a little assistance when they need it the most. A clean home is a joy when they don’t have time to do it themselves.
You can also buy gift cards for a food subscription service such as Hello, Fresh. This way, the new parents can schedule a meal when they need it the most. When relatives have gone home and the neighbors aren’t supplying casseroles, they’ll enjoy the gift of a lovely meal they’ve picked out themselves.
Even though they love their new perfect baby, a gift that helps make the hard stuff a little bit easier can make a huge difference for parents. But like we said before, always include a gift receipt!
Good luck!
