Baby shower gifts

Creative baby shower gift ideas

Gifts are an important part of any baby shower – if not the most important!

A baby shower is the perfect opportunity to give any mum-to-be some practical, cute and fun gifts. However, sometimes it is quite hard to guess what items the mum-to-be might need. A new mum’s needs will differ depending on how much she has already bought or whether she has items from a previous child. Nevertheless, some gifts simply make life easier for every mum.

When you are thinking about the perfect baby shower gift, you need to consider what you want to give and how you want to give it. A cute wrapping and creative delivery can finish off a baby shower gift perfectly. In this article, we will show you what to keep in mind when considering a gift and give you some inspiration for the perfect baby shower gift!

A popular choice: baby clothing as a baby shower gift

Even though tiny bodysuits and onesies are incredibly cute, you should resist the temptation to gift small baby clothes at a baby shower. At the beginning, new parents don't need as many baby outfits as you might think. Experience shows that they usually receive a lot of small-sized baby clothes or have already bought enough to get started. If you want to gift baby clothing, then it is a good idea to choose larger sizes.

Baby clothing sizes are measured in centimetres. The following table serves as a guide:

Baby clothing as a baby shower gift

If you are planning to give baby clothes as a gift, you should pay particular attention to choosing practical clothes made from the right materials:

• We recommend baby clothes made of cotton. This natural and breathable fabric is very gentle on the skin, thus comfortable for babies to wear.

• Certain types of clothes make it easier for new parents to dress their baby. This includes wrap-over bodysuits, tops with buttons on the side of the collar and clothes with press studs. Bodysuits that must be pulled over the baby’s head or tight trousers that don't fit over nappies make changing unnecessarily difficult.

Baby clothing cupcakes: a cute way to wrap your baby shower gift

These little baby clothing cupcakes are quick to make and also look very cute. Each cupcake is made from a baby bodysuit and a baby sock.

Here’s how to make the cupcakes:

• First, lay the bodysuit flat and fold the sleeves and the edge of the bodysuit back on itself on both sides. The baby suit should be about 6 or 7 cm wide.

• Next, place a baby sock at the bottom of the bodysuit so that the toe of the sock protrudes slightly and the cuff sticks out a little more. Then, simply roll the bodysuit up.

• Turn the top of the sock back and over the rolled-up bodysuit.

• The toe of the sock then looks like the cherry on top of a cupcake, while the cuff acts as a cupcake tin.

As an alternative to a bodysuit, you can also use burp cloths. New mums can never have enough of these! Once you have finished making the cupcakes, put them in a pretty box to finish off your perfect baby shower gift.

• Fold three matching baby bodysuits as described above so that they are all the same width.

• Now roll up each bodysuit tightly and fasten the roll with a rubber band.

• Next, spread a cotton nappy out on the table and place the three rolls in a row in the middle.

• Fold the long edges in on the cotton nappy until the overhanging edge is the same height as the cotton nappy rolls.

• Once you have done this on both sides, fold the edges upwards and fix the ends of the cotton nappy with ribbons. Your baby clothing “bonbon” is ready to go!

You can also wrap each roll in organza to make little individual sweets.

The beauty of this DIY baby gift is its versatility. You can also use a variety of useful items to make these cute sweets, for example, towels, flannels, baby socks or even hats.

Baby care products as a gift for a baby shower

If you would like to gift baby care products, it is a good idea to check with the parents-to-be beforehand as opinions and preferences differ widely, even among care professionals such as midwives.

Babies generally don't need a lot of care products. Ask the parents how they feel about them and what is important to them when it comes to baby care products and accessories. Many parents deliberately avoid any oils, creams and bath additives. If you decide to give care products, make sure that they contain very few additives and, if possible, only natural ingredients and are they should be free of any colourants and preservatives.

If you want to be on the safe side, you can gift useful care accessories instead.

Here are a few ideas:

• Baby nail scissors

• A bottlebrush for cleaning milk bottles

• A bath thermometer

• Dummies

• A nursing pillow

• A portable changing mat

• Nappies

Once you've decided on a gift, you can get started on putting together an impressive baby shower gift box.

A nappy cake is a particularly popular gift idea, as it is easy to make and looks great. You can also attach lots of little extras to it. An owl nappy cake with its big, round eyes is also a great baby shower gift.

Have a look at our article on gifts for newborns for more baby gift craft ideas.

DIY baby shower gifts with nappies

If you want to give a gift basket, it's best to start with a theme. Be creative with your theme. This will minimise the chances that the parents-to-be already have the items you would like to give them. For example, you could use a theme like “Baby’s first trip to the beach”.

You can fill a pretty light-coloured wooden box in a nautical design with the following items:

• A swimsuit or swimming trunks

• A baby bath towel with a hood

• A sun hat

• A picnic blanket or small beach towel

• Beach toys, like sand moulds

“Baby’s first rainy day” is another cute theme that you could choose. Here are some ideas for a gift box:

• A practical pair of waterproof trousers

• Wellington boots

• A warming tea for a baby

• Wet wipes

• Washing powder for sensitive skin

Baby shower gift boxes don't have to be exclusively for the baby. Mums-to-be also like to be pampered. Here are some great ideas for a mum’s-to-be gift box:

• A USB stick with her favourite playlist for the delivery room

• A good book

• High-quality skin oil to help with stretch marks

• Relaxing bath oils

• Soft, warm socks

Support vouchers as a baby shower gift

The first few months with a newborn are wonderful and exciting but can also be exhausting. That's why parents-to-be will be happy to receive any support you can offer them. Thus, a support voucher is a great way to show that you are there for the new family not only with words but also with deeds. For example, as a baby shower gift you could make vouchers for the following favours:

• Shopping

• Window cleaning

• Babysitting

• Taking siblings to nursery

• Nighttime moral support if the new mum needs some emotional support

Home-cooked meals as a baby shower gift idea

Once the new baby has arrived, parents often struggle with keeping up with endless chores. New parents may appreciate having a little time to spend together without the burden of a chore. Therefore, a thoughtful and helpful gift could be a month of home-cooked meals.

It is a good idea to get together with some friends for a gift like this. Between the volunteers, you could deliver a home cooked meal each day for a month. New parents will be forever grateful for a gift like this!

Conclusion: the perfect baby shower gift

At the end of the day, there are endless possibilities for baby shower gifts. The important thing is that your gift is useful and comes from the heart. Practical gifts may not be as cute to look at, but you can use creative wrapping ideas to make them look special. Make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare and wrap your gift and don’t forget to talk to the other guests beforehand to make sure the mum-to-be doesn’t end up with two of the same gifts.

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The image sources in this text are in chronological order:

Cover photo: iStock.com/Zinkevych
1. Image in text: iStock.com/jacoblund
All other images in text: C&A