If you have a friend, a work colleague, or a family member who has recently welcomed a new addition, you might be wondering what to buy to commemorate this momentous occasion. Buying gifts can be tricky, especially if you’re short on time or money. The good news is that you don’t have to panic. We’ve put a handy gift guide together to help you find the perfect present!
Practical gifts
We all know that babies need a lot of stuff, and for expectant parents, this can be daunting. If you have a friend or a relative who is expecting, it’s incredibly useful to help them work through their shopping list by gifting essentials like diapers, wipes, vests, sleepsuits, or a changing bag. It might not be the most interesting or exciting gift, but it will really make a difference when preparing for sleepless nights and regular changes. Other items you could consider include sterilizing equipment and bottles, a changing mat or a baby bath. If you are going down the functional route, it’s a good idea to check with the parents first, as you don’t want to buy anything they have already purchased. It might also be possible to team up with siblings, colleagues or friends to buy more expensive items on the list.
Toys and books
Newborn babies might not get a huge amount of joy from books or toys, but babies grow at lightning speed, and before long, they’ll be sitting up, giggling at funny noises and taking in all the sights and sounds around them. There’s a vast array of toys available to suit all ages, and you can choose from traditional toys, educational products or technological gadgets that light up or play music. Activity centers and playmats are a great idea for babies, as they tend to enjoy lying on their backs and wriggling around looking at themselves in the mirror and grabbing at toys that hang down. If you like this idea, see which play mats are recommended by Consumerjar, or take a trip to your local toy store and have a look around. Books are an excellent idea if you’re looking for gifts a baby can keep. Collections of stories and classic tales in presentation cases will go down a treat. You could also look at board books for babies, or books you can read and play with in the bath for smaller children.
Sentimental presents
Welcoming a new baby into the world is pretty special, and it’s understandable to want to mark the occasion with a sentimental, meaningful, thoughtful gift. If you’re looking to pursue this avenue, there’s a huge range of presents out there. You could create a personalized baby book with photos that the parents could add to as the child grows, or you could order a customized print for the nursery with the name and birth date of the baby. Other ideas include bespoke nursery furniture, for example, a personalized toy box or rocking chair, named cushions or blankets, or a keepsake box.
Soft toys
Many of us remember our soft toy collections fondly, and some of us hang on to a stuffed companion throughout our teenage and adult years. Soft toys are always popular with young children, and they make excellent gifts. You can buy all kinds of toys to suit every budget, and you can choose to follow a theme or opt for something a little different. If the nursery has a safari theme, for example, you could search for a lion, an elephant or a zebra, or you could choose a traditional teddy bear for a more classic room. To make your gift extra special, you could also personalize the toy with the child’s name.
Clothing
Newborn babies may not be fashionistas, but many parents take great joy in dressing their children up in beautiful outfits or cute ensembles. If you’re looking for clothing for babies, you could opt for an outfit for a special occasion, order a personalized sleepsuit or dressing gown or choose a themed outfit, for example, a bear, bunny or dinosaur suit.
Jewelry and keepsakes
Many adults are keen to buy newborn babies presents they can keep. If you’re looking for inspiration for a gift that will stand the test of time, why not consider buying a piece of jewelry or a keepsake such as a trinket box, a jewelry box, a picture, a pair of cufflinks or a traditional-themed piggy bank? Another option is a collection of hardback books with a message in the front or a memory box, which the child and their parents can add to as time passes.
Nursery accessories
Kitting out a nursery can be expensive, and buying gifts like nursery accessories can be beneficial for both the newborn and their parents. You can choose from practical gifts like furniture or a storage unit, or decorative items like prints for the wall, cool lighting, ornaments or soft furnishings. It’s always nice to add a personal touch, so look for products like rugs, boxes, blankets, pictures or chests you can personalize with the child’s name or a line from a book. Often, you can find items that tick both the style and substance boxes. With a personalized toy box, for example, you can keep the nursery tidy at the same time as adding a focal point and making the room bespoke.
There are few things in life more exciting and heartwarming than visiting a friend or family member who has recently given birth. If you’ve got a new addition in your midst and you’re looking for a brilliant gift idea, hopefully, this guide has given you food for thought and provided you with inspiration. There are all kinds of options available and an ever-growing list of products designed for babies. Opt for practical gifts and help the parents out with their shopping list, choose a sentimental present your new niece or nephew can keep, or go for something fun that will bring a smile to their little face when they get older. Happy shopping!
Leave a Reply