Baby Shower Gifts - Baby Shower Gift Ideas
1 - Is the mom registered? Sometimes the best baby shower gifts are the ones that the mom really needs. Consider whether or not she's likely to receive the items that she's registered for. While adorable clothes are wonderful, a good car seat is essential.
2 - If you are a mom, is there any product you absolutely loved and couldn't live without when you had your baby? The most creative baby shower gifts are items that the recipient didn't know they needed, but then later discovered that they absolutely had to have them. When I was pregnant with my first child, I had absolutely no idea what to register for and found that the best baby shower gifts were the things I didn't register for that were given to me by experienced moms, such as bath care products and a My Brest Friend breastfeeding pillow.
3 - If you aren't a mom, talk to other moms to find out exactly what they recommend buying. All moms have their favorite products and are usually happy to share their knowledge.
4 - Does the mom already have everything she needs? Some moms get hand-me-downs or have relatives who buy every single necessity the minute the pregnancy test is positive. For those moms, sometimes the basics - diapers, wipes, pajamas, baby towels and one-piece outfits - are the best presents.
5 - Does the baby already have a name? Personalized baby gifts, including mom necklaces (like the ones from SwankMommy.com), are wonderful gifts and are totally unique!
6 - Is the gift for a second baby? In the past, baby showers were typically only held for first pregnancies, but now, many moms are lucky enough to have a second or third shower held for them. If you are buying a gift for a second child, consider purchasing diapers, new one-piece outfits, washcloths, wipes and bottles. Often, these items were completely depleted after the first child was born. Also, if the second child is a different gender than the first, or will be born during a different time of the year, new clothing will be needed and welcomed!
Now that you have a general idea of the type of gift you are looking for, think about where you want to shop. There are so many different baby product shops, with different benefits, such as lower prices, baby registries, helpful staff and unique products.
If the mom-to-be is registered and you want to purchase from the registry, visit that store. Many moms are registered at Babies R Us, which offers a popular baby registry service. If you aren't going to purchase from the registry, however, consider buying from a boutique shop, or an online store (such as Alex Casey Baby or Magic Beans). At these stores, you'll get a more unique product selection and personalized service. And always make sure that you understand the return policy in case your gift has to be returned.
Jodi Grundig is the editor of MomsFavoriteStuff, a blog and online community where moms share baby product reviews and ideas to make parenting easier. Jodi has appeared on the Fox 25 Boston morning show, and is also the Traveling Finance Mom on TravelingMom.com.
