In 2018, over 3,700,000 babies were born in the United States. Although the details of how we celebrate pregnancies and new babies has evolved, baby showers have been a staple tradition in many cultures for centuries. Today, expectant mothers celebrate with loved ones and receive gifts from friends and family.
As any parent knows, new parents are often exhausted by the demands of caring for an infant and they may not be excited by the idea of receiving noisy toys that can disrupt their sleep. Noisemakers aren't the least of it—there are plenty of superfluous gifts that parents wish they'd never gotten. Fortunately, there are several excellent gift options you can choose from that new parents will adore.
1. Customized Gifts
Treat new parents to personalized baby shower gifts that truly celebrate their new little one. You can design the perfect gift online easily, with plenty of options to choose from. Shutterfly offers a range of products that a new baby's name can be added to. For example, picture frames make a wonderful present that enables parents to show off their new arrival. You can also choose between several baby blankets. Some allow you to add the child's name and birthdate, while others also have room for a child's photo to be displayed on the blanket.
Another great option is to give the new parent with a box for photo keepsakes. They can store their child's hospital bracelet and a lock of their baby's hair inside a wooden box customized with their child's photo or a quote on the lid. Having a place to keep these memories and photos makes a great baby shower gift.
If you're unsure of which baby gift to choose, you can give the new mom and dad a Shutterfly gift certificate. The new parents can opt to use this present to create a photo book, tote bag, onesie or other personalized items they can treasure for years to come.
2. Children's Books
From the time a baby comes home from the hospital, their parents can create family time and boost their vocabulary by reading. Children love storytime, and they are more likely to perform better in school if their parents read to them regularly from a young age.
Give expectant parents a wide range of children's books. You can include board books, which are suitable for younger children and introduce simple words and themes. You can also include sets of popular children's books for their parents to progress to as they get older. New moms and dads love having plenty of baby books to read to their new arrival, even when the little one is a newborn. Giving the gift of family time is a particularly lovely way to welcome a new baby to the world.
3. Necessities
Children are expensive, and parents can be overwhelmed with the cost of diapers, burp cloths, pacifiers, diaper cream, wipes and all of the other essentials. They will also go through several bibs each week, and their baby will outgrow their clothes within months. Not to mention the expense of a crib and a stroller. New parents will appreciate a gift pack with all the essentials. If you attend a baby shower before the child is born, you may want to concentrate on buying diapers for infants between eight and eighteen pounds to be sure their parents can use them. Invest in a supply of diaper cream, and consider adding a bum brush that can be used to apply diaper cream to the baby's bottom. Even baby nail clippers or a nice diaper bag can be of use to a new mom and dad, and they'll be grateful for the saved expense.
A bundle of bibs and burping blankets will come in handy and prevent the parents from needing to do multiple laundry loads each week. Infant bodysuits will also come in handy. You can even add outfits in larger sizes to ensure the parents won't need to shop for a new wardrobe in a few months. Other necessities include pacifiers, bottles, a rattle and a baby towel.
4. Date Night Gift Pack
When a new baby arrives, parents can be consumed with the task of caring for their child. It can also be hard to find a sitter they trust with their child. You can help them find time to reconnect and relax as a couple by giving them a date night gift pack that includes your babysitting services. You can add gift certificates for dinner and a movie. Providing your friends with a safe opportunity to have a few hours off is a great way to help them recharge and reconnect as a couple.
5. A Baby Journal
There are several customized journals available that are designed to help parents record unforgettable memories as their child grows. Some journals focus on encouraging parents to record one line of information each day. The parent can note a milestone achievement or write about their child's temperament that day or what activity interested them most. Other journals encourage parents to write letters to their child they can share with them later. The first few years of a child's life go by quickly, and it can be easy to forget the date they sat up for the first time or ate their first biscuit. A journal can provide parents with the perfect way to document all their baby's life changes as they grow.
