Gift ideas for baby showers

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

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

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 

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.

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!