Baby Shower Gifts and Prizes

Once you’ve mailed out your invitations, you’ll be inundated with telephone calls asking for gift registry at a baby store or department store, pass that information along. If not, here are a few baby shower gifts suggestions. By the way, it’s always a good idea to ask your guests of honor which items they need the most and which, if any, they have already received. That way there won’t be a duplication of gifts.

Gifts with Beautiful Presentations

Baby gift baskets
Diaper cake
Baby Gift Sets
Personalized Baby Gifts

Gifts for Baby

Basic Necessities
Crib blankets / quilt
Sleepers
Baby towels and washcloths
Diapers
Undershirts
Bibs
Booties
Socks
Mittens
Plastic pants

Baby clothing

Baby bottles

Receiving blankets
Nursery jar set
Crib sheets
Sweater and cap set
Crib bumpers
Diaper pail
Diaper pins
Diaper bag
Infant seat
Tipper cup
Waterproof lap pads

Baby power, shampoo, oil, soap
Outfits, in newborn and infant sizes

Note: the parents of an older adopted child may appreciate larger-sized clothes and more advanced toys, such as tricycle, doll house, electric train, and so forth.

Tip: some hostesses request that each guest bring a small box of disposable diapers in addition to their main gift.


Would Be Nice to Have
Tights
Insulate baby bottle carrier
Baby hangers
Crib hangers
Crib toys
Brush and comb set
Crib pillow and pillowcases
Baby record book
Parenting books / magazines
Growth chart
Feeding spoon
Baby bathtub
Baby thermometer
Outfits, range from size 3 months to 2T
Nursery decorations, such as a mobile or switch plate covers
Bath thermometer
Stuffed animals
Gift certificate for a professional baby portrait
Rattles and teething rings
Baby scissors
Shoes
Baby food grinder
Potty chair
Musical toys
Quilts
Plate / cup set
Baby scale
Crocheted shawl
Picture frames
Snow suit
Jogging suit
Safety gate
Music box
Portable crib
Booster chair
Dirty clothes basket
Waterproof mattress covers
Books
Diaper stacker
Night light
Picture album
Tub toys
Piggy bank

Note: many mothers I interviewed said they wished they had received larger-sized clothing because their babies outgrew the newborn size outfits within two months.
In some parts of the country it is a custom for the guests to stuff bills and coins into a large piggy bank as a “head start” for the baby’s savings account.

More Expensive Gifts
Crib
Rocking chair
Car seat
Baby swing
Baby walker/ jumper
Bassinet
Instant thermometer
Cradle
Dressing table
Child’s rocker
One year’s diaper service
Sterling silver frame, spoon, bank, rattle, place setting, or cup
Intercom nursery monitor
Stroller
24k gold locket, bracelet, or ring
Playpen
High chair
Toy chest
Christening grown
Starter savings account or savings bond

Tip: if your goal is to have all the guests contribute to the purchase of one large item, such as crib, make this clear on the invitation. You could say, “we would appreciate your contribution toward the purchase of one group gift: a much-needed crib for the nursery.”