Baby Shower Gifts

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

The baby shower is the perfect opportunity to give the mum-to-be some practical, cute, and fun gifts. However, it is quite hard to know what items are needed before the birth. A lot of gifts may end up being cute but useless. The 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.

For the perfect baby shower gift, you need to think about what you want to give and how you want to give it. Common gifts are baby clothes, care products, or vouchers. The final touch is how you package and deliver the gift. Below we explain what you need to consider for different gifts and then give you some inspiration for the perfect baby shower gift!

Even though tiny bodysuits and onesies are incredibly cute, you should resist the temptation to give small baby clothes at a baby shower. For the first baby outfit, the young parents don't need as many items as is generally assumed. 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 give baby clothing, then choose larger sizes. A good thing to keep in mind is what time of year it is when the baby will fit into the size you have chosen and make sure they are warm or cool enough.

Sizes are measured in centimetres. The following table serves as a guide:

Fabrics made of organic cotton are very comfortable for the baby and do not contain any harmful substances. Clothes should also be practical: for example, bodysuits that must be pulled over the head or tight trousers that don't fit over nappies make changing unnecessarily difficult. You can also create a little highlight by personalising the clothes. Once you have bought your baby clothes, you still need the right ‘gift wrapping’ for a perfect baby shower gift.

Tip: Above all, baby shower gifts should be useful.

These little cupcakes are super quick to make and look extra cute too. Each cupcake is made from a baby bodysuit and a baby sock. Here’s how to make the cupcakes:

Lay the bodysuit flat and fold the sleeves and the edge of the bodysuit backwards 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 body up.

Turn the top of the sock back and over the rolled-up bodysuit. The toe part makes the ‘cherry’ on top of the cupcake, while the cuff acts as a cupcake tin.

As an alternative to the bodysuit, you can also use burp cloths, new mums can never have enough of these! Once the cupcakes are finished, put the finished cupcakes in a pretty box and you have the perfect baby shower gift.

You can also wrap each roll in organza fabric 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.

When giving care products, you should always 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. Discuss with 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 and, if possible, only natural ingredients and are free of any colourants and preservatives.

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

Here are a few ideas:

• Baby nail scissors

• Bottlebrush for cleaning milk bottles

• Bath thermometer

• Pacifier

• Nursing pillow

• Portable changing mat

• Nappies

Once you've decided on a gift, it's time to put together an impressive baby shower package.

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Make sure that...

If you want to give care products, it’s always best to talk to the parents-to-be, as many people will have strong preferences.

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Did you know that...

In the first year, a baby uses about 3,000 nappies. A baby shower gift made from nappies is something young parents can put to good use.

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You can place the many beautiful baby gifts in a pretty box or basket. If you buy a nice box that is reusable, the new parents can find a good use for it rather than throwing it away. Either choose a rustic wooden box that can be used for sentimental items or a more practical plastic box that can be reused to store items in the bathroom or similar.

Another cute idea would be the baby's first rainy day. Here are some ideas for the gift box:

• A practical pair of splash pants

• Wellington boots

• Delicious baby tea to warm up again

• Wet wipes

• Sensitive washing powder

By the way, baby shower gift boxes don't have to be geared towards the baby, the mum-to-be can also be pampered.

In a mum’s gift box, you can pack:

• USB stick filled 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

Giving vouchers as gifts may not be the most creative idea, but the new parents are sure to put them to good use. Local drugstore, baby clothing shop, or pharmacy vouchers are always useful. But wellness vouchers for the new mum are also a very popular baby shower gift. Every young mother will really enjoy some time to herself to relax and unwind, for example, a hairdresser or massage voucher.

Straight after the new arrival, it would be great for the parents to have some time together rather than just keeping up with the endless chores. A thoughtful and helpful gift is a month of home-cooked meals.It is best to group together with some friends for a gift like this. Between the volunteers, a home-cooked meal (or several frozen meals) would be delivered each day. The new parents will thank you from the bottom of their hearts!

Finally, the possibilities for baby shower gifts are almost endless. The important thing is that your gift comes from the heart and is practical. It is nice to give something cute, but useful bland things can also be wrapped up to look cute. You should plan enough time to prepare and wrap your gift and – don’t forget to talk to the other guests so that there is no duplication.

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