Being invited to a baby shower is an invitation to share in all the love, joy, and expectation that a new life represents. Gifts are given to help a new mother and her family get off to a happy start and to celebrate the arrival of the newest member of the clan. Your friendship with the expecting mother can be the biggest help in deciding on the best gift.
One place to start brainstorming for a baby shower gift idea is the type of shower being given. Look at the invitation or contact the hostess to see if the party is being planned around a special theme. Tie in to a cowboy theme with little t-shirts with horses, baby bottles with cowboy teddy bears, or rocking horse picture frames. If you know the perfect gift is a bottle warmer, but the theme is baby animals, simply add a stuffed animal or wrap the warmer in crib sheets with animal prints.
A gift basket is another great baby shower gift idea. Baby bath tubs or a diaper pail make great holders for lots of goodies. You can put in some baby shampoo, a rubber ducky, and a hooded infant bathrobe for the new one. From here you can keep going on the bath theme or add other things a new mother will appreciate. A few new outfits, some diapers and wipes are always going to be welcome. Books on baby health and safety are always a big hit with first time mothers. Use baby blankets like tissue paper on the inside or wrap the whole basket with a quilt.
Babysitting coupons would be a helpful and practical gift or as an addition to your other selections. Print some colorful pages on your computer using clip art to match the theme and bundle them with pizza delivery gift cards. After a full day with a fussy newborn, having pizza delivered doesn't add another dirty dish or even require a shower. Especially with small babies, a new mother might not want to leave, but knowing she can get a couple of hours of uninterrupted sleep or a long, hot, bath while you hold down the fort would be like a trip to the spa.
There are some areas to really think about, and maybe even avoid, when it comes to baby shower gift ideas. Big things like strollers and car seats are very personal decisions. Unless the new mother has registered her choice or made it very clear which model she wants, these purchases are best left to the parents. When it comes to infant clothing, think about getting your gifts in larger sizes. Newborn outfits are beyond cute and can be almost irresistible, but they last such a short time. Within four or five weeks, the clothes are too small and they have barely been worn. Try to stay away from outfits that have shoes or lots of accessories. If a mother had a nickel for every hat and shoe that got dropped in a parking lot, they could pay for their child's college education in very short order.
Talk over your gift ideas with the mother's close friends and relatives. The hostess is bound to fall into one of these categories, and should be a great resource for baby shower gift ideas. The hostess will also know if the mother is registered at her favorite store. Registered just means that the mother has selected things she would like to receive and the store can hand you a copy of her choices. When friends purchase from the list, those items are removed or checked off, so you are safe with anything on the registry list. You have been asked to share in one of the most important days in a woman's life. Any thoughtful gift, combined with your happy support, will be welcomed with open arms.
