Relax, we are going to give you some quick ideas to help take the stress off of you, help you choose an appropriate and useful gift and make the shower an enjoyable experience.
Call the soon to be parents or the host of the baby shower and ask if there is a gift registry for the baby. Many people do this just as brides do for bridal showers. Many times it will be available online. The baby gift registry will tell you what they are asking for and if the desire has already been filled.
Diapers may not seem the fanciest of baby shower gifts, but they may be one of the most useful. Diapers are expensive, and babies use them quickly, so new parents always appreciate a gift of diapers. Even parents who use cloth diapers might like to have a pack of disposable diapers for travel. Diapers are sized by baby's weight. Buy larger sizes instead of newborn diapers, since some newborns grow quickly and don't use many of the smaller sizes. Don't forget to throw in some baby wipes!
Some babies are really picky when it comes to bottles and pacifiers - some babies will only use one particular brand or shape. If the parents-to-be have registered for a particular type of bottles, nipples or pacifiers, it's safe to buy them for a baby shower gift. Otherwise, steer clear of these gifts until you know which type the baby will prefer.
Some parents do not ever introduce their baby to pacifiers or bottles because these items can interfere with breastfeeding.
This is another reason to do some research if you want to buy something like this, I know my son never used a pacifier and some people are touchy about that.
Baby clothes are sized by age and sometimes weight. The smallest sizes don't get a lot of wear since newborns grow quickly. Baby clothes in larger sizes will likely be used more. Use the baby's due date to figure out what season it will be when baby reaches a new clothing size, such as 6 months, and buy seasonal clothes in that size.
If you don't know the baby's gender, a gift certificate is a welcome baby shower gift, allowing the parents to choose an outfit in pink or blue after baby arrives.
If you're stumped for a baby shower gift, help boost baby's brain power by choosing a classic baby book, educational DVD or music CD. Studies show that music encourages brain development in babies, so a lullaby CD or some tunes for the car would be a nice gift. Also look for one of the many DVD learning series for infants, such as Brainy Baby or Baby Einstein. Still stumped? A copy of your favorite book from childhood is a meaningful and useful baby shower gift.
The baby shower gift possibilities are almost endless when you give the gift of baby toys. You can buy toys made for older babies for use later in baby's life, but stick with toys for ages 3 and under to avoid small parts that could choke a young baby. Toys have an age range listed on the package. If you want your gift to be used for a long time, look for a wider age range on the package. Fancy doesn't necessarily mean better when it comes to baby toys, either, babies love simple toys, too.
If you want to give a baby shower gift that's out of the ordinary, consider the parents' lifestyle. For environmentally active parents, an organic baby gift is a smart choice. Are the parents into travel or outdoors adventures? A baby backpack carrier or baby bike trailer would get baby involved in family activities. Techie parents might enjoy a titanium stroller with an onboard music system. Other lifestyle gifts might include breastfeeding supplies, baby slings or cloth diapers.
