Baby Gift Ideas

More and more expectant parents are using baby gift registries these days. These registries work the same as bridal registries, and are now offered by many of the larger retail chains.

But what do you do if the parents haven't signed up with a registry for their baby gifts? Or what if they live in another area and the store they've registered with doesn't have a location near you? Or perhaps all the items they've registered for have already been purchased. Or, if they have expensive taste, maybe you simply can't afford any of the baby gifts on their registry.

We've come up with a list of great baby gift ideas for those of you out there who may be racking your brains and coming up empty. Some of these gift ideas are tried-and-true traditional baby gifts while others are more a reflection of current trends in gifts for new babies.

Baby Gift Baskets- These are great gifts to present the new parents with a lot of the small, day-to-day necessities they'll need to care for the new baby. Gifts-to-Impress.com has many gorgeous baby gift baskets to choose from that can be delivered anywhere in the continental U.S. Or you can make a baby gift basket yourself. Be both creative and practical by using a baby bathtub or laundry basket and fill it with items that fall under the same theme and color scheme.
Hand Print / Foot Print Casting Kits - Many online gift retailers offer easy kits the parents can use to make a cast of baby's hand print or footprint and preserve it forever. These kits can be purchased separately or many of the baby gift baskets available include them.
First Tooth Keepsake Box - These, too, can be purchased separately or are often included in a gift basket with other items.
First Curl Keepsake Box - These allow the parents to save a lock of hair from baby's first haircut. Again, you can buy these separately or as part of a gift basket.
Baby Keepsake Chests - Give the parents and new baby a quality wooden keepsake chest they can use to preserve all the little mementos they'll collect over the baby's lifetime. These are great for storing items such as the "firsts" boxes and hand print casts mentioned above, as well as photo albums, hospital arm bands, the clothes baby wore home from the hospital, etc. These come in a variety of styles. If possible, try to find a keepsake chest that will fit in with the nursery decor.
Plant a Tree in Baby's Honor - If the new parents are nature lovers, this is a gift they will deeply appreciate on many levels. I recommend making the occasion extra special by planning a tree planting ceremony and inviting the parents and, perhaps, grandparents and others close to the family. Get everyone involved and be sure to take photos or even some video footage of the occasion. Plant the tree in a location where the baby and the rest of the family can visit the tree often and watch it's progress. Gift retailers are beginning to embrace this trend by offering Grow-a-Tree gift baskets that include either tree seeds or saplings, planting instructions, and sometimes an aluminum tag or other marker that can be engraved and placed near the tree.
Maid Service for the New Parents - Let's face it, the new baby isn't who needs your attention the most. The parents are already focusing all of their attention on baby; and, in doing so, they no longer have as much time as they need to take care of many of those day-to-day tasks. Giving them a gift certificate for a licensed, bonded cleaning service makes a great gift. If you're strapped for cash, or if you'd just like to make the gesture more meaningful, create a homemade coupon they can redeem with you and help them with the cleaning yourself.
Make a Coupon Book - Expanding on the idea of homemade coupons, you could put together a whole book of them they can redeem for diaper changes, one free night of babysitting, taking the dog for a walk, running an errand such as picking up the dry-cleaning, etc. Again, new parents are exhausted and they appreciate all the help they can get. Just make sure you make it easy for them to redeem the coupons. Give them a little reminder now and then that you fully intend to provide whatever service is listed on the coupon. Don't give out coupons if you don't plan to follow through. Also, these are best reserved for people you are close to, such as brothers or sisters, aunts or uncles... someone who feels comfortable with you in their home... even on a bad hair day.
Mommy and Me Gifts Baskets - These makes great gifts if you feel the new mom deserves a little pampering as well. They usually consist of bath and body products for mom, maybe a candle and some soft slippers and other products to help her relax and rejuvenate. For baby, these gift baskets usually include a toy or a cute outfit.
Gift Certificate for a Portrait Studio - New parents love to have lots of photos of their baby. Over time, they'll spend a small fortune in portraits. Giving a gift certificate to a local portrait studio is both thoughtful and practical.
Diaper Cake - Like gift baskets, these are a creative way to present the parents with a lot of baby necessities. You could try making one yourself, or order one of the many now available online.
Diaper Wreath - Just like a diaper cake, diaper wreaths are fun and imaginative and double as baby shower decor the new mom can take home with her and dismantle later to make use of all the practical items included.
Baby Bouquets - Also imaginative yet practical, these bouquets are filled made with baby clothes, wash cloths and burp cloths, tightly wound up to resemble roses and attached to "stems" adorned with faux leaves and presented in a bunch for beautiful presentation.
Lullaby CDs - Soothing music can be a lifesaver for some parents who have difficulty getting baby to relax and fall asleep.
Swaddling Blankets - To be effective for swaddling a baby properly, these should be square, not rectangular, and larger than the average receiving blanket.
Bath Toys - Babies are never content just sitting in a tub with nothing to do, and their are many wonderful bath toys available today that can make bathtime an educational experience as well as I time to get squeaky clean.
Baby Bath Tub - For extra "creativity points," fill the tub with baby skincare products, bath toys, wash cloths, hooded towels, etc.
Potty Training Books and DVDs - Trust me, when the time comes, the new parents will not all the help they can get to get their little one motivated.
Foreign Language DVDs and Books for Babies - Baby Einstein has many foreign language videos and books available. In fact, many gift retailers offer Baby Einstein gift baskets.
Layette Set - A traditional new baby gift that never goes out of style and is always appreciated.
Diapers and Wipes - This may seem a little boring to give as a gift, but they're very practical and make a great gift for parents strapped for cash. When I was pregnant with my first child, I got a huge box of Costco wipes from one friend and another big box of diapers from another. These lasted me several months and were very much appreciated.
Gift Certificate to a Diaper Service - More and more parents are switching back to cloth diapers out of concern for the environment. There are now diaper services available in almost every major city that will provide the diapers as well as other accessories such as diaper covers. They will pick up dirty diapers and delivery clean ones on a regular schedule.
Belly Casting Kit - If the expectant mom hasn't delivered the baby yet, a belly casting kit is a unique gift. She and the expectant daddy, or a close friend, can make the cast together. Once dry, it can be decorated in a number of ways and hung on the wall of the nursery or master bedroom for decor.
Deliver a Meal - A great gift for those first few days after baby is born when things around the house are still chaotic and both parents are too tired to cook. There are many services online now that will deliver gourmet meals. Or have a local restaurant deliver a meal. Better yet, if possible, make it yourself and deliver it in person. Just be sure not to surprise them. Call ahead and make sure they don't already have something planned.
Piggy Bank - Help baby start saving early for that new car s/he'll want later on!
Cash or Savings Bonds - Young children aren't old enough to understand the value of money or bonds, so giving them gifts of this nature usually ends up in disappointment. However, babies are still young enough to not even be aware that gifts are being given to them in the first place, so now is the best time to help the new parents save for the child's future.
More baby gifts can be found by clicking here.