One of my dearest friends became an auntie yesterday and will become an auntie a second time very soon. She asked recently about ideas for baby shower gifts. Here are my top 5:
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1. Lingerie bag
A lingerie bag is perfect for all the small bits that come with a baby but get separated or lost in the wash -- especially socks! Besides socks, I used it for drool bibs, gloves, and mittens. I also keep all of our family's single, unmatched socks in the bag, and over time I usually am able to find the matching socks! I like to use a big lingerie bag rather than small one as that gives the items inside of it room to move around and actually get washed while still staying contained. A large bag also leaves room for my own unmatched socks which I do wash every time I need to wash the little kiddo's socks.
The bag I use for baby socks is actually an old lingerie bag that belonged to my grandmother, but here a few good options to check out on Amazon.com:
- MJIYA Mesh Laundry Bags, 3 Pack
- TENRAI Delicates Laundry Bags, 3 Pack, with a loop on each for easy hanging from a hook in the laundry room
- iDesign InterDesign Laundry, Mesh Wash Bag, 1 Pack
2. Restaurant delivery gift cards
In the past 10 years or more, I've only been involved in one group that has done a meal train for a family in need. When I was a kid, meal trains were incredibly common for new parents, sick people, grieving people, and so on. Someone would organize a group to make and deliver meals to the person or family in question. Although I know these still happen, it seems they are far less common than they used to be.
When my uncle passed away, someone arranged a meal delivery service for my child and I as we were his caretakers and he was our best friend. The meal service was great, but it had limitations -- pre-selected meals, allergens I couldn't avoid, and didn't always match up with what we were in the mood for.
Consider a restaurant delivery certificate instead. GrubHub, DoorDash, Postmates or similar gift cards will provide ease and payment for the new parents or parents to be while also allowing them the flexibility to order food that fits their taste preferences, dietary needs, and so on.
3. A photo mini printer and tons of cartridges
In this day and age, many of us tend to keep our photos on our phones. Gone are the days of dropping off a roll of film or a disposable camera at a store for developing and printing.
I miss having actual printed photos. It's nice to scroll through the photos on my phone, but printing them out is better! Make it easy for new parents by getting them a photo mini printer and plenty of cartridges. I love my Kodak mini printer and wish I'd had it when my child was a baby.
Here's the printer I use on Amazon.com, as well as extra cartridges:
Kodak Mini 3 Retro 3x3” Portable Photo Printer Bundle, Compatible with iOS, Android & Bluetooth
60 Pack Kodak 4PASS Real Photo (3"x3") Refill – Mini 3 Square Retro
4. A baby first aid and grooming kit
A combined baby first aid and grooming kit was one of the most useful and thoughtful gifts I received when my 23 year old was born. Even though I never used several of the first aid items, knowing I had them gave me peace of mind. And, the grooming items were more useful than I ever expected -- as a first time mom, I had no idea how often I'd need to use some items like baby nail clippers!
As a gift giver, combined baby first aid and grooming kits have always been a hit as a baby shower gift! Every time I give one, someone at the shower says what a thoughtful and important gift it is and asks why they didn't think of it.
Here are my two favorites on Amazon.com:
American Red Cross Deluxe Infant Health and Grooming Kit
Safety 1st Deluxe 25-Piece Baby Healthcare and Grooming Kit
5. Diapers and wipes
If you know if the family you are buying for plans to use cloth or disposable diapers, buy them some! Diapers are expensive and having a reserve is beneficial. Buy one small package of newborn and then larger packages of the next two sizes, if the recipient will have room to store them. If you are hosting a baby shower, ask all of the guests to bring a pack of diapers in addition to any other gifts -- at my sister's baby shower, not only did we ask that everyone bring one package of diapers, but we gave a raffle ticket to everyone that actually followed through! At the end of the baby shower, we raffled off a movie theater gift certificate.
What are your "go to" baby shower gifts? Leave a comment and let me know!
For older kids and partners, consider grabbing some of my download-and-print lunchbox notes -- available on Etsy HERE. Print them out and slip a note into your child's lunchbox or backpack or into your partner's purse or bag.
