Gift Guide for New Babies (and their parents)
Even people who don’t enjoy shopping often like buying baby gifts.
Miniature-sized booties, mittens, and outfits are adorable! But, how
practical are they? Here is one new mom’s perspective on practical do’s
and don’ts for your next baby shower event.
If you’re buying clothes:
a)
Pay attention to how they come off. There will inevitably be many, many
diaper changes. The outfit is a lot more likely to get good mileage if
the nervous new parents don’t have to go wriggle a fragile little head
in and out of cute clothes ten times a day. Robes, gowns, kimonos, and
front snap tees are great. Practical doesn’t have to mean boring –
there are a lot of stylish options out there!
b) Be mindful of
the weather. Don’t get summery clothes in the 0-3 month size if the
baby is born in the dead of winter. Chances are, as cute as they may
be, the baby will outgrow them long before he or she gets a chance to
wear them. If it’s rainy, rain gear will be very much appreciated to
protect the delicate newborn.
c) Size matters. Newborn clothes
only fit for a short time unless the baby is particularly small or a
preemie. So, don’t buy too many of the wee sizes. Baby showers often
result in too many little clothes, and by the time the baby is six
months old, the parents are rushing to buy new ones. A nice gift may be
a range of sizes for the baby’s first year.
If you’re looking for non-clothing options:
a)
A keepsake. The baby won’t be able to see what you got for quite some
time, and chances are that by then, it will have been passed on to
someone else. So, get something special for the baby that he or she can
uncover years later, and maybe even pass on to their children some day.
If the baby is someone close, give something from your own childhood
with a hand-written note. A sterling silver item is also a great
choice. Wishwrap has some fun options like a silver spoon, silver rattle, or silver teddy bank. A blanket or quilt, like Wishwrap’s Cuddly Baby Blanket,
is another precious gift with great longevity – just make sure it’s
machine washable! A cashmere baby blanket may be luxurious, but it’s
totally impractical.
b) An offbeat theme gift. A swimsuit and
water toys could be a great gift for a new baby. A little library that
grows with the baby is another fun option. This might include books and
CDs that the baby can enjoy as he or she gets older.
c)
A “non-thing”. New parents are inundated with necessary “things” that
come with a new baby. A car seat, crib, new clothes, diapers, toys,
etc., etc. The list can be quite daunting. Give a gift that will
‘disappear’ after it’s used. Meals that can be frozen for last-minute
use are a great help. If the baby will be in cloth diapers, a local
diaper service is a great gift. Offer your time to watch the baby so
that the parents can sneak out for a short film or even a nice long
walk. Housecleaning with a chemical-free service or a massage for the
new mom may be other great gifts that will ultimately benefit the baby
and the parents!
d) Money. New babies are expensive. As they get
older, they get more and more so. Cash is always a welcome gift. If you
give cold, hard cash, make it thoughtful with a hand-written note that
designates it for a specific purpose. Or, give a gift certificate
to Wishwrap with a personalized wish from you. You can always get the
baby a gift of stocks or bonds, or open a College Savings account for
the baby. Many states have tax-free plans for education.
New babies are precious. Celebrate their arrival with a special gift
that’s thoughtful and meaningful. Use the tips above, and be sure that
your gift will be something that’s cherished by the parents too.
