Gift ideas for baby showers

Baby showers are a new phenomenon catching on in the UK from the US. Most UK ladies will be attending their first ever shower! Here's some gift ideas!

I remember seeing an episode of Friends years ago, where Monica and Phoebe organised a baby shower for Rachel. I remember thinking we didn't do baby showers in the UK. Fast forward 10 years and I was invited to my first one: in fact, they're really popular in the UK now! This little guide will help you choose a gift if you're attending your first baby shower too!

Gift idea 1: The Essentials

Gift idea 2: Clothing

Gift idea 3: Hampers

Gift idea 4: Cupcakes

Baby shower:

Baby Shower

Gift idea 1: The Essentials

If you're the practical kind, you may be pleased to read that it's quite acceptable for baby shower attendees to gift the recipients with a few every day essentials.

Babies can cost a LOT of money, so extra boxes of nappies, lotions and tubs of baby wipes are really appreciated by new parents.

Visit your local supermarket or chemist to stock up on baby essentials.

Pick and mix from the following:

cotton wool
towels
blankets
mild baby bubble bath
baby wipes
bibs
sponges
baby shampoo
nappies

Gift idea 2: Clothing

If tiny booties and cute little tops do it for you, head over to your nearest clothing shop with a baby aisle and treat the soon-to-be-newborn to some gorgeous clothing.

You could play this one of two ways: 1) Go MAD on newborn clothing (think cute little cardis, hats, sleep suits and socks) or 2) buy things for a slightly older baby, for when he/she grows. This will ease the financial burden for mum and dad (babies grow so quick and always need new clothes!)

Here's some inspiration:

Baby suits
Body suits
Sleep suits
Mitts
Hats
Booties
Socks
Pram suit
Cardigan
Jacket

Gift idea 3: Hampers

If you fancy combining the two methods above, consider making up, or buying in a baby hamper.

DIY baby hampers:

Find a nice box and fill up with tissue paper. Choose several items to fit your budget and organise around a theme, such as colour. For example, you could select something like a bottle of lavender baby bath wash and pair it with a white toy rattle, some soft white towels and some cute purple booties. Then, wrap them all up in the colour-coordinated box. Tie with a ribbon and make a card for the top of the box. Gorgeous!

Some ideas:

Pink bibs, white rattle, white teddy and some Johnsons baby powder
Blue booties, blue towels, yellow socks and some packs of baby wipes
Baby wipes, reusable nappies, a rattle and some cute mittens

You can literally think of any combination!

Buy baby hampers:

You can find baby gifts in most commercial supermarkets at the moment, so if you don't have time to make something up yourself, you can probably buy something during your weekly shop! One of my favourite places to shop fro baby hampers is Mummy&Me. They sell some lovely hampers for both newborns and mothers.

Baby toys:

	Playtex Diaper Genie Refill (810 count total - 3 pack of 270 each) The Diaper Genie Refill bag is multilayer odor barrier film technology that helps keep odors and germs locked inside. The unscented refill holds up to 270 newborn diapers. Desig... ~~$22.64~~ $16.68
	Pampers Sensitive Wipes 12x Box with Tub 768 Count Clinically proven mild Pampers Sensitive Wipes help restore babies natural skin balance while gently cleaning at the same time. They are also perfume and alcohol free they are d... ~~$25.59~~ $7.73
	Pampers Swaddlers Diapers Size 3 Economy Pack Plus 174 Count Every little miracle deserves to be protected! Wrap your newborn in comfort and security with Pampers Swaddlers diapers. With blanket-like softness and soft, stretchy sides, plu... ~~$51.44~~ $47.89
	Pampers Sensitive Wipes 7x Box 448 Count Clinically proven mild, Pampers Sensitive Wipes help restore babies’ natural skin balance while gently cleaning at the same time. They’re also perfume and alcohol free, they are... ~~$15.23~~ $10.00
	Pampers Cruisers Diapers Size 4 Economy Pack Plus 160 Count Pampers Cruisers diapers with 3-Way Fit adapt to fit around the legs, waist and bottom, giving babies our best fit ever and the freedom to play their way. Pampers Cruisers diape... ~~$51.44~~ $42.99

Gift idea 4: Cupcakes

If you're more of a baker than a buyer, why not offer to cater your friend's baby shower? Instead of buying gifts, offer to pay for a bit of food and drink for the party instead. Think cute bow-adorned cupcakes and non-alcoholic cocktails!