New parenthood is no joke—it’s a joyous but exhausting whirlwind of sleepless nights and endless diaper changes. The right gift can be a lifesaver, making those early days a bit more manageable and a lot more memorable. Whether you’re on the hunt for baby shower gifts or personalized baby gifts, we’ve got a lineup of baby gift ideas that’s sure to impress.
In this article, we’ll suggest a mix of practical lifesavers, essential care products, personalized keepsakes, themed gift baskets and creative DIY vouchers, to help you find the perfect baby gift that will make you the hero of the baby shower!
Table of contents
- Personalized baby gift ideas
- Practical baby gift ideas
- Care product gift ideas
- Creative DIY voucher ideas
- Themed baby gift basket ideas
- How to make sure parents and baby love your gift
Personalized baby gift ideas
Personalized items make some of the best baby gifts. In the world of baby showers, emotions reign supreme, and these keepsakes hold great sentimental value, ensuring they’re cherished for years to come.
1. Photo-based baby gifts
Personalized photo gifts, like custom photo books, albums or framed photos, make the perfect baby gifts from grandparents, friends and relatives. You can fill these books with photos of first moments and family gatherings. Add notes, messages and anecdotes alongside the pictures for a more personal touch.
Source: Framed baby photo via VistaPrint
Source: Baby photo book via VistaPrint
2. Custom fleece blankets
Soft, cozy and perfect for keeping the baby warm, custom fleece blankets are a great baby gift idea. They can be used in cribs, strollers or for tummy time. For the design, consider adding the baby’s name, initials or birth date. You can also choose patterns with animals, cute illustrations or soothing pastel colors the baby will love.
Source: A personalized blanket for a baby via VistaPrint
Source: A custom baby fleece blanket via VistaPrint
3. Personalized mugs
A custom mug featuring a photo of the baby, the baby’s name or date of birth is an affordable and heartfelt baby gift idea. A gifted personalized mug means that every time the parents enjoy their morning coffee or tea, they’ll be reminded of their little bundle of joy.
Source: A custom mug via VistaPrint
4. Personalized pillows
Custom pillows adorned with the baby’s photo or initials make a charming and cozy gift, adding a decorative touch to the nursery while also providing comfort.
Source: A custom photo pillow via VistaPrint
Source: A custom pillow with a baby’s name via VistaPrint
5. Acrylic photo blocks
An acrylic photo block is a touching gift that holds sentimental value while also making a striking decorative piece for the family home.
Source: Acrylic photo blocks via VistaPrint
6. Personalized calendars
A personalized calendar is a thoughtful and practical baby gift that adds a personal touch to baby schedule organization. Options include desk calendars, magnetic calendars and wall calendars, each providing a creative and custom way to showcase the baby’s first year.
Source: A custom wall calendar via VistaPrint
For each month, include a different photo of the newborn and highlight important family dates, like birthdays and anniversaries. Parents can also use it to mark significant milestones, building a functional keepsake that celebrates the baby’s growth and development throughout the year.
Practical baby gift ideas
Let’s be real, the best baby shower gifts aren’t just adorable—they’re the ones that make life easier for sleep-deprived parents navigating the wild adventure of parenthood.
Practical gifts are the unsung heroes of baby showers, bringing sanity-saving solutions and genuine smiles to new parents’ faces. From must-have gadgets to everyday essentials, these thoughtful presents will not only be appreciated but also heavily relied upon in those first few chaotic months.
7. Baby clothes
Baby clothing is the gold standard of baby shower gifts for a reason: kids grow at the speed of light. One minute, a onesie fits perfectly, and the next, it’s been outgrown.
Source: Practical baby onesie by goreta via 99designs by Vista
The most popular types of baby clothing to consider when choosing a baby gift include:
- Onesies: These are the everyday go-to. Opt for soft, breathable fabrics and easy snap closures for quick diaper changes.
- Pajamas: Comfort is key here. Look for zipper closures instead of buttons to make those middle-of-the-night changes less of a hassle.
- Hats and socks: Tiny accessories like beanies are both cute and functional—keeping the baby warm and stylish.
- Outerwear: Cozy jackets or sweaters are useful for cooler months, but if buying outside of winter, remember to size up to accommodate the baby’s rapid growth.
When choosing baby clothes, focus on soft, natural fabrics to protect delicate skin, consider the season and the baby’s age, and always opt for machine-washable items because, let’s face it, a mess will be made.
8. Planner or organizer
Juggling feeding times and doctor appointments while tracking a baby’s milestones can be overwhelming. A notebook or organizer to keep track of the baby’s schedule and milestones is a fantastic practical baby gift that brings a sense of order to the delightful chaos of new parenthood.
Source: Planner design by Selkkie Designs via 99designs by Vista
Gifting a planner helps parents stay on top of their baby’s schedule while recording those first giggles, steps and words helps preserve those precious moments forever. Consider customizing this thoughtful baby gift with quotes, photos or meaningful dates to make it more personal.
9. Portable phone charger
Between organizing documents, driving to doctor appointments and managing a multitude of other tasks, parents are always on the move. In the early stages of parenthood, staying connected with friends and family and being able to access important information is crucial. A portable phone charger keeps parents’ phones powered during long unexpected waits and lengthy feeding sessions.
10. Baby toys
Baby toys are a classic choice and a safe bet for any baby gift. Toys provide endless entertainment and stimulation for little ones, so there’s no such thing as too many of them.
When selecting toys, make sure they are appropriate for the baby’s age and developmental stage. Always check the safety standards and materials to ensure they are non-toxic and safe for the baby.
11. Development gifts (educational toys and books)
Educational toys and books are fantastic baby shower gift ideas because they support a child’s growth and learning from an early age.
Source: by Miaheart via 99designs by Vista
Here are some fun and thoughtful presents that encourage cognitive development and fine motor skills:
- Soft cloth books: Perfect for sensory exploration and early literacy.
- Stacking blocks: Help develop hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.
- Musical toys: Stimulate auditory senses and foster a love for music.
- Shape sorters: Encourage logical thinking and shape recognition.
Care product gift ideas
Parents need an endless supply of essentials like nappies, baby bottles and pacifiers to ensure they are well-prepared for their baby’s needs, making care products a reliable baby shower gift idea.
12. Nappies
Did you know that parents change a newborn’s nappy every 3 to 6 hours? This makes them an essential baby gift. To add a creative touch, arrange them into a diaper bouquet or a diaper cake. This visually appealing presentation turns a basic necessity into a charming and thoughtful gift.
13. Pacifier
Coming in various options like orthodontic, silicone and latex, pacifiers are a lifesaver for soothing babies. And since they tend to get lost, parents always appreciate having a stash of these little helpers on hand.
14. Baby bottle
Whether they contain breast milk or formula, baby bottles are essential for feeding and come in different shapes, sizes and materials to suit every baby’s needs. For a thoughtful and practical gift that parents will love, consider gifting a personalized bottle with the baby’s name, initials or a cute design.
Creative DIY voucher ideas
The best thing about baby gifts is that they don’t have to be physical—if you want to show off your creative side and give new parents something truly original, custom vouchers are the way to go!
15. DIY vouchers
DIY vouchers are thoughtful baby gifts that offer flexibility and a personal touch, providing custom experiences or services that can make a big difference to parents’ lives in the early days when they’re still figuring things out.
To lend a hand to your close friends or family with their newborn, create a DIY voucher for one or more of the following:
- Shopping trip: Offer to run errands or do grocery shopping, saving the new parents time and energy.
- Babysitting: Give them a much-needed break by offering babysitting duties for one evening.
- Home-cooked meal: Prepare a meal at their home so they can enjoy a delicious dinner without the hassle of cooking.
Go the extra mile with the presentation to add the wow effect to this baby gift by designing and printing the voucher on a postcard!
Choose a theme and color palette that matches the parents’ style or nursery decor. Then, add personal touches like the baby’s name, cute graphics or heartfelt messages. You can explore VistaCreate’s ready-made coupon and certificate templates so that you don’t have to start from scratch.
Source: Custom coupon design template via VistaCreate
For a professional finish, turn to professional printing services like VistaPrint to get your custom gift certificate printed.
Themed gift basket ideas
If you have the budget and want to present the newborn’s parents with a selection of baby gifts, create a personalized baby gift basket!
16. Gift baskets for mom
Here are a few gift basket ideas to celebrate the new mom and support her first steps into motherhood, making the experience easier:
- Relaxation and self-care kit: Scented candles, bath salts, a soft robe, a soothing face mask, herbal tea and a cozy blanket.
- Pampering essentials: Luxurious lotion, hand cream, a sleep mask, essential oils, a massage ball and a calming lavender sachet.
How to make sure parents and baby love your gift
Personalize the gift
Even if you decide not to go for a personalized baby gift and opt to buy something off the shelf, you can still give the gift a personal touch by adding a note, custom tag or personalized wrapping.
Consider the parents’ preferences
- Registry items: Buy an item from their baby registry, if they have one.
- Practicality: Ensure the gifts are practical and useful.
- Style: Consider the recipient’s style and tastes when choosing the gift.
- Caring touches: Listening to the details of what they say will help you find the perfect gift, such as what they’ve already bought, what color they’ve painted the baby’s room or what they desperately need but don’t have time to buy.
Consider the decoration
No matter which baby gift idea you go for, always wrap and present it well so that they can tell how much thought went into choosing it.
There are lots of different decorative elements and wrapping techniques you can use:
- Ribbons and bows: Use coordinating ribbons, bows or twine for a polished look.
- Floral accents: Add small, artificial flowers or greenery for decoration.
- Ornamental details: Incorporate small ornaments, charms or keepsakes.
- Secure arrangement: Use clear tape, glue dots or elastic bands to secure items in place.
Choose the best vendors for your baby shower gifts
Selecting the right websites and shops for baby gifts can make all the difference. Consider the following for the best quality baby gifts:
- VistaPrint: Variety of personalized gifts from posters and photo albums to clothes and homeware.
- Etsy: Unique, handmade and personalized baby items.
- Buy Buy Baby: A one-stop shop for all things baby, from essentials to gifts.
- Pottery Barn Kids: Stylish baby furniture, decor and gifts.
