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Inspiration & Tips/Gift guides/Baby shower gift ideas
A hooded towel lays over the arm of a bench with a toy octopus and a comforter - ideal baby shower gift ideas.

Baby shower gift ideas

Finding the right baby shower gift for future parents can be a challenge, especially if the person giving the gift doesn't have children themselves and can't draw on their own experiences. So let us inspire you with our best gift ideas, from the very practical to the ever so cute.
Wednesday 14th August 2024
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Finding a baby shower gift

A baby shower is a joyous event that celebrates the imminent arrival of a new family member. However, choosing the perfect gift is not always so easy. Whether practical, playful or sentimental - the right gift can make everyday life easier for the new parents and create unforgettable memories at the same time. Discover our top tips:

  1. Portable lighting
  2. Cot bumper and matching pocket
  3. Bath towels with hood
  4. Mobile
  5. Plates & cutlery
  6. Pram chain
  7. Photo book & memory box
  8. Storage baskets
  9. Rattles
  10. Cuddly toys
  11. Blankets & scarves
  12. Bibs
  13. Height chart
  14. Money bank
  15. Gifts for the mum-to-be
Here you can see the mini wall hooks in the shape of a bear and rabbit from OYOY with the Baby Guggi Giraffe, also from OYOY - practical baby shower gift ideas.

Practical everyday helpers such as wall hooks are always a popular baby shower gift.

A portable table lamp such as the Flowerpot lamp in white from &Tradition, seen here with cuddly toys on the shelf of influencer @picbyellen, is a practical gift for a baby shower.

@picsbyellen

1. Portable lighting

Portable lighting may seem like an unusual gift for a baby shower but let us explain why a portable lamp, especially one with a dimmer function, is a practical gift idea for a baby shower for several reasons. It can be used in many different ways. Placed in the nursery, it fulfils several functions at once. It can serve as a night light for the newborn, providing the right atmosphere for sleeping, but at the same time it can also gently illuminate the room when needed without disturbing mum and baby with too bright a light in the middle of the night when the baby needs to be fed. A portable table lamp therefore helps to create a pleasant environment in which mother and child can fully focus on getting to know each other. As a good table lamp can be used for several years, it is also sure to find a place in the living room or bedroom when the baby no longer needs it.

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2. Cot bumper and matching pockets

If it is already clear that the future parents have decided in favour of a cot with bars, a cot bumper or cot bag makes an excellent baby shower gift. Babies move around an incredible amount during sleep, which is why a cot bumper can be useful to prevent injuries. However, make sure that the bumper can be fastened securely and is not made of fabric that is too thick, so as not to reduce the size of the bed excessively and leave enough room for the baby to move around.

A bumper with a matching pocket to hang on the outside of the cot also makes life a lot easier for future parents, as they’ll be able to keep everything on hand they might need to soothe the baby, such as dummies, soft toys and comforters.

3. A bath towel with a hood

Babies are particularly sensitive to the cold after a bath, which is why a bath towel with a hood is a great gift idea for a baby shower. While a normal bath towel only keeps the body warm, an additional hood also protects the baby's sensitive head from cooling down. Also make sure that the bath towel is made of materials such as cotton or towelling, which are not only particularly absorbent but also gentle on sensitive baby skin. And let's be honest: aren't babies wrapped up in a bath towel with a hood even cuter than they already are? This makes it a perfect combination of functionality, comfort and all-round cute factor and therefore an excellent baby shower gift idea.

4. A mobile

Mobiles promote baby's sensory and motor development, have a calming effect and add a decorative touch to the nursery, making them a great gift idea for a baby shower. Pay particular attention to a variety of colours and shapes, as this trains visual development, eye muscles and coordination. A mobile also helps the baby to relax and fall asleep more easily, as the slow, steady movements and soothing melodies create a pleasant atmosphere - an advantage that future parents are sure to appreciate.

5. Plates & Cutlery

Even if plates and cutlery are not essential items immediately after birth, they will be needed sooner rather than later and almost certainly sooner than the new parents would like. They symbolise the baby's first steps into the exciting world of independent eating and therefore make this milestone a very special experience.

However, there are a few things to bear in mind when giving baby plates & cutlery. In particular, the materials should be free from BPA, a plastic that is not safe for babies. You should therefore opt for silicone, which is also ideal due to the fact that it is shatter proof. Non-slip undersides and handles specially moulded for baby's hands provide additional grip and reduce spillages. Colourful sets with child-friendly motifs will make eating even more exciting and create lots of wonderful memories of first meals.

6. Pram chain

A pram chain is a magical baby shower gift that will delight both parents and babies alike. It combines functionality with charm and enriches the baby's first months of life in a special way.

The main benefit of a pram chain is its ability to entertain and soothe babies while they are out and about. The bright colours encourage sensory development and stimulate baby's curiosity. In addition, the pram chain provides a visual distraction and ensures that the baby is less bored when lying in the pram.

Here too, it is advisable to choose chains made of BPA-free plastic or wood. Also make sure that the chain can be securely attached to different pram models and that it is easy to clean. In any case, it is more than just a toy - it is a little companion on life's first adventures.

7. A photo book & memory box

A keepsake box or photo album is a wonderful baby shower gift that will be treasured for years to come. Both offer parents the opportunity to capture precious moments and milestones in their baby's life and preserve them for the future.

A great advantage of a keepsake box is that it offers space for a wide variety of mementos - from the first ultrasound pictures and the first bracelet from the hospital to tiny strands of hair and the first little shoes. These personal items tell the baby's unique story and can be looked at together later. A photo album, on the other hand, allows you to capture visual memories in particular - the first smile, the first steps and many other precious moments can be preserved in pictures for eternity along with personal notes.

No matter what you choose, you can't go wrong with a photo book or memory box as a baby shower gift, as these gifts are designed to capture life's most precious moments. They will most likely accompany the recipient family for a lifetime and become a precious treasure.

8. Storage baskets

Storage baskets help to keep the nursery tidy and organised, which is invaluable for new parents, making them a very thoughtful baby shower gift that combines style and functionality.

The biggest advantage of storage baskets is their versatility - they offer space for toys, clothes, nappies and numerous other baby items that need to be quickly to hand. With pretty designs and child-friendly patterns, they are also a great way to brighten up the nursery. Thanks to their practical size and easy handling, they can easily be placed on shelves, under the changing table or next to the cot. However, make sure that the baskets do not have any sharp edges or loose parts that could harm the baby. In addition, robust materials such as cotton, linen or seagrass are best, as these are environmentally friendly, durable and safe for the baby.

9. A rattle

A classic baby shower gift as they combine playtime fun with early childhood development. A great advantage of rattles is their ability to support the sensory and motor development of babies. By shaking and listening to the different sounds, babies learn to understand cause and effect, while their fine motor skills and grasping reflexes are encouraged. The bright colours and interesting shapes also stimulate visual perception and make the game even more exciting.

The rattle given as a gift should of course be well made to ensure that no small parts come loose that could be swallowed. Soft, rounded edges are also important to prevent injuries. Rattles that are easy to clean are also particularly practical for everyday use.

10. Cuddly toys

A cuddly toy is sure to win a baby's heart in no time and become a loyal companion for years to come, making it a natural baby shower gift idea.

A great advantage of cuddly toys is their ability to convey security and trust. They are soft and cuddly, which gives the baby a feeling of security, be it when falling asleep, while travelling in the car or in unfamiliar situations. In addition, cuddly toys promote emotional development and offer babies a first friend with whom they can share their feelings.

11. Blankets and muslins

A cosy blanket is not only a practical gift idea, but also offer security, versatility and comfort - important aspects in the life of a newborn baby and its parents.

The biggest advantage of a cosy blanket or muslin cloths is their versatility. A blanket is ideal for keeping babies warm and cosy, whether at home or out and about. Muslin cloths, on the other hand, are light and breathable, perfect for swaddling, as a burp cloth or as a light blanket on warm days. Both products can also be used as an underlay when changing nappies or as a privacy screen when breastfeeding.

When buying, pay particular attention to natural, skin-friendly materials. Cotton is ideal as it is soft and easy to care for and can usually withstand frequent washing without losing its shape.

12. Bibs

Bibs, especially silicone ones, are extra easy to clean and often come with a kind of drip tray, which makes them a very practical baby shower gift idea. However, the choice of bibs as a whole is immense - not only do they come in different colours and materials, but the way they are put on can also vary. If you are not sure about the baby's size, make sure that the opening can be easily varied, for example by using Velcro or lacing.

13. A height chart

A height chart is not only a unique baby shower gift, but is also associated with great sentimentality. It offers parents the opportunity to document their child's growth in an uncomplicated and loving way and creates lasting memories of the precious developmental steps.

14. A money box

You just can't quite decide on a gift for the baby shower and therefore prefer to give money so that the new parents can get what they need for the baby themselves? No problem at all - but why not wrap it up in something cute? Why not give the money in a money box for a change, for example in the form of the Miniphant money box from Georg Jensen. This way, parents will not only be delighted with the contents, but can also add a decorative home accessory to the children's room that is guaranteed to be used for many years to come.

15. Gifts for the mum-to-be

As the baby usually takes centre stage at the beginning of pregnancy, it is important to show the mother-to-be that her needs and well-being are also important, which is why a gift for the mum-to-be at the baby shower will also be appreciated. Gifts that allow her to take time out and enjoy precious moments of relaxation and recuperation are particularly suitable.

How about a cosy breakfast in bed, for example? Give the gift of a breakfast tray, a large teacup or a thermos flask. You can't go wrong with a cosy blanket or a soft bathrobe either. Top it all off with a stimulating scented candle or a relaxing diffuser - any gift that conveys an expression of care and appreciation for the mum-to-be is sure to be appreciated and sweeten the last weeks of pregnancy.

Photography: Bloomingville, OYOY, @picsbyellen, Garbo&Friends, Kay Bojesen, Edvin Mobil, Design Letters, Rice, ferm LIVING, @joanna.avento, Georg Jensen, Stelton, Mille Nottie, Volant

Anja Wahnig
Author

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