
Baby gifts are fun to buy and a delight to give. Some of my favorite baby gifts to give are the ones I recall fondly when my children were newborns. I find it equally joyful to share fun new finds that weren’t part of of my baby years, but I wish they had been. Either way, a cute baby gift is a wonderful way to celebrate someone you love.
CUSTOMIZED TOTE BAG
Diaper bags can be so…uncool. I know there are cute ones out there, but even the good ones always look like a diaper bag to me, which is to say, they are short on style. I love nothing more than a monogrammed boat tote that doubles as a diaper bag. They are sturdy, roomy, classic, and can serve a number of functions even when the baby no longer requires a diaper bag. My children all had a monogramed boat tote bag when they were little. We used the totes to hold their books when we visited the library, to hold their “car toys” when we took a road trip, and to pack their belongings for an overnight stay with a friend. This bag will serve a new baby for a long time!
STUFFED OCTOPUS
Any stuffed animal is a sweet baby gift, but this pink sea creature is particularly cute.
WOODEN BEADS
In a world of electronic toys galore, sometimes analog toys provide a refreshing alternative. Tactile, mesmerizing, and unbreakable, these wooden beads are a unique and interesting toy to add to a collection.
TINY SHOES
When my kids were little, I was a sucker for tiny shoes. I still have several of my favorites in memory boxes, and I cannot part with them. Beyond being adorable, tiny shoes provide a remembrance of how small those feet once were.
SILVER CUP
A silver cup, perhaps engraved, is a classic baby gift. My favorite way to gift these is with a small bouquet of fresh flowers nestled inside.
SOPHIE THE GIRAFFE
None of my children owned a Sophie Giraffe, and I feel like we missed out. There’s just something about the long next, the big eyes, the squishy, squeaky texture that makes this toy universally loved.
SLEEPERS
Toys and silver cups are nice, but sometimes the best gifts are the practical ones. In those early days, when it seems like the infant changes clothes six times a day, a hefty back stock of basic footed sleepers makes a thoughtful, knowing gift for a new mother.
BOARD BOOKS
You never know which books are going to become part of your family lore, and for us, Big Red Barn is at the top of the list. I read this book hundreds of times, and with each reading, I found myself mesmerized by the calming, rhythmic cadence of the story. I could probably recite the entire book by memory if you asked. Board books of any title make a delightful baby gift, and anything by Margaret Wise Brown wins the day.
NAME BLOCK
A friend gifted this wooden name block to me, and I think it is so clever and cute. All of baby’s details are etched into the sides of the block including name, birthdate, length, height, place of birth. It’s so small and yet holds so much in a tiny, personalized keepsake.
SOUND MACHINE
White noise to the rescue! A thoughtful way to welcome a new baby is with a gift to the parents in the form of a sound machine. Able to lull even the most reticent of sleepers into a drowsy trance, a good sound machine is worth its weight in gold.
HAIR BRUSH
In the same way tiny shoes are charming, so too is a baby hair brush. Buttery soft bristles are the perfect texture for coaxing those tender hairs into place, and the post-bath freshly-brushed hair is one of the cutest baby moments out there.
BURP CLOTHS
I find it so refreshing to give second and third-time parents a fresh supply of burp cloths. Everyone has them, but that brand new stack of soft cotton cloths can be a welcome upgrade from the stained hand-me-downs.
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