As a mom, I have been fortunate to be the honoree at four baby showers and have attended countless others to celebrate friends and family. When attending as a guest, you want to give something that’s not only adorable but also genuinely helpful for the new baby and parents. I’ve created this guide to share the most useful baby shower gift ideas so you can always show up with something thoughtful that will make a real difference.
Best Baby Shower Gift Ideas for a Cozy Nursery
A lot of work goes into creating a fully functioning nursery. Babies spend a lot of time in their nursery sleeping. These thoughtful and practical baby gifts help make the space comfortable.
Wearable Blankets or Sleep Sacks
Wearable blankets are lifesavers for when your baby is mobile, but still can’t use standard blankets. Even into toddlerhood, I used sleep sacks with my kids to keep them warm and cozy. Otherwise, they’d throw the covers off.
Fortunately, most wearable blankets come in size ranges that fit for several months. For example, a size from 0 to 6 months or 6 to 12 months. Any size range can be helpful, and having a few wearable blankets is essential. It’s easy to find gender neutral options as well as character-themed choices like Baby Yoda, Winnie the Pooh, or Mickey Mouse.
Extra Crib Sheets
You can never have too many crib sheets. Trust me, middle-of-the-night blowouts are a rite of passage. Having a clean sheet ready to go without having to dig through a closet is a true sanity-saver. Choose from whimsical designs, adorable patterns, and classic plain colors. No matter which set you choose, it’ll be a welcome addition to the nursery.
A Musical Mobile
A musical mobile serves as an adorable piece of nursery decor and a multi-sensory tool that can be a new parent's best friend during diaper changes and naptime routines. From my experience, the gentle music and slow, predictable movement are fantastic for calming a fussy baby and providing a positive distraction. It can become a wonderful sleep cue, signaling to the baby that it's time to wind down.
Blackout Curtains
A surprisingly practical baby shower gift that helps regulate sleep cycles by making the nursery dark for naps. Plus, blackout curtains keep the nursery dark, even when the sun rises at 5 a.m.
The Best Practical Baby Shower Gifts for Daily Routines
Life with a newborn is beautiful, but exhausting. Although newborns spend many hours sleeping, they also need lots of snuggles, diaper changes, and feedings. These gifts make these routines easier for the new parents.
A Portable Diaper Caddy
For some families, it’s not convenient to go to the nursery for every diaper change. When my daughter was born, I often changed her diaper in the living room because she shared a room with my oldest, and I didn’t want to wake him up.
A portable diaper caddy was a practical solution, ensuring I had everything I needed for each change. Go the extra mile with this baby shower gift idea by adding a pack of diapers, diaper cream, and wipes to the caddy.
A Comfortable Baby Carrier or Wrap
My babies almost lived in a wrap for their first few months of life. Doing chores is much easier with a comfortable carrier or wrap. This gift also helps make running errands like grocery shopping a piece of cake.
Pro-Tip: When gifting a carrier or wrap, consider including a gift certificate for a baby-wearing consultation. It helps new parents learn to use it safely and comfortably.
For more gift ideas that make life easier, check out this curated collection of Baby Gifts.
Gifts That Grow with the Baby
At baby showers, people often gift items you can use right away. I remember receiving many newborn-sized onesies and clothing items, which were wonderful. But I was always grateful when people also gifted items I could use a little later.
Larger-Sized Clothing
New parents will get a mountain of adorable newborn-sized outfits. Be the hero who gives them something for the 6-9 month stage.They will be so grateful when their baby hits a growth spurt and they suddenly have clothes that fit.
Pro Tip: Think ahead to what month of the year it will be so you can get seasonally appropriate clothing. Clothes to layer like onesies, t-shirts, or blouses, and comfortable pants are always welcome.
A Play Mat or Activity Gym
Tummy time means babies spend lots of time on the floor. A nice play mat or activity gym is easy to move around the house and can provide a space for play and learning. Even into toddlerhood, little ones can use a play mat for playing with toys on the floor.
A Sturdy Stroller Blanket
A quality stroller blanket will be used for years, from covering the car seat on chilly days to cozy walks in the stroller, to even serving as a blanket for sitting in the park.
Looking for more gifts for older babies? Try our gift selections for 6 to 9-month-olds and
Unique Baby Shower Gifts They'll Always Remember
Sticking to the registry is a safe choice. But, if you know the recipient well, you might consider a unique baby shower gift with more meaning. For example, I always remember the booties my aunt made for my youngest son. Some practical, yet thoughtful options to consider are:
- A meal delivery service subscription
- A newborn or 6-month-old photoshoot
- A handmade item, such as a crocheted sweater or booties
Your Baby Shower Questions, Answered
Still have questions? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.
How much should I spend on a baby shower gift?
The sweet spot for the amount to spend depends on several factors. Learn more about how to choose the right baby shower gift amount here.
What are the best baby shower gifts for girls or boys?
If you know the baby's gender, it can be fun to buy something specifically for a little boy or girl. Check out these beautiful collections of baby shower gifts for girls and baby shower gifts for boys. If you’re not sure of the gender, try our versatile gender-neutral baby gifts.
What should I buy for someone expecting twins?
Twin parents get twice the joy, but also have twice as many needs. For essentials like crib sheets or wearable blankets, gifting a pair is perfect. Consider getting slightly different colors or patterns to help parents keep track of which belongs to which baby! For bigger items, one is often enough, like a large play mat they can share. Here’s some practical advice for purchasing gifts for twins.
Is it OK to go off-registry?
Going off-registry is best only when you know the recipient well. If you’re only an acquaintance of the parents-to-be, it’s best to play it safe and stick to the registry. However, if you are close to the family and know more about their needs and tastes, going off the registry can be a sweet gesture. You can surprise the new parents with something unique and special that you know they’ll love.
The Best Shower Gift Ideas: Practical and Thoughtful
As a mom, I can vouch that these baby shower gift ideas are all useful and will be well-used by the newborn and their parents. "At the end of the day, the best baby shower gifts are the ones given with love and a little bit of foresight. If possible, go that extra mile to pick a theme you know the new parents will enjoy. For example, if they’re Star Wars fans, buy a onesie or blanket with Baby Yoda. Those personal touches make the gift feel extra special.
Looking for the perfect gift? Explore Lambs & Ivy’s collection of beautiful baby gifts and nursery decor items.
