What Makes the Best Baby Shower Gifts?

Choosing a baby shower gift should be lovely. But when you're faced with tiny outfits, beautiful blankets and approximately a thousand adorable toys, where do you start?

We think the best baby shower gifts strike a balance: useful for the early days, lovely to receive and chosen with the family in mind.

And here's something worth remembering. Some of the best baby shower gifts don't contain baby clothes at all. They really don't need to.

It doesn't have to be the biggest gift at the party, either. A little thought goes a long way.

Love this hamper? Click the photograph to see what's inside.

What should you buy for a baby shower?

It's tempting to head straight for the tiny clothes. They're almost impossible to resist, aren't they?

But there's a whole world of lovely baby shower gifts beyond sleepsuits and little outfits.

Think about the things new parents will reach for again and again. Soft muslins, bibs, cosy blankets, baby care essentials and practical bits and pieces that make everyday life a little easier.

They might not sound like the most exciting presents, but when you're dealing with another feed, another dribbly chin or yet another change of clothes, useful suddenly becomes rather wonderful.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with including something simply because it's lovely. A soft toy, a baby blanket, soft baby muslins, a beautiful keepsake or something that makes the parents smile when they open it.

The trick is finding the right balance for the family you're buying for.

Do baby shower gifts have to include clothes?

Not at all.

In fact, there are some very good reasons to choose a baby shower gift without any clothing.

Parents often receive plenty of newborn outfits, particularly if friends and family have been shopping since the pregnancy was announced.

Clothing sizes can be tricky too. Babies arrive in all shapes and sizes, and they don't always stay in one size for very long.

A gift containing a beautiful blanket, baby care products, a soft toy, a keepsake or something useful for feeding can be every bit as thoughtful.

If you do decide to buy clothes, consider choosing a size beyond newborn. It gives the family something ready for the months ahead.

Just remember to think about the season they'll be wearing it in. A thick winter outfit won't be much use if the baby grows into it in July.

Should I buy a neutral baby shower gift rather than something pink or blue?

Have you noticed how much baby gifting has changed?

More and more new parents are choosing neutral colours for their babies, and it's not simply because they're keeping the baby's gender a surprise.

Soft sage greens, taupe's, oatmeal shades, gentle greys and warm natural colours have become lovely choices in their own right.

You might have heard these colours described as Japandi. It's a style that brings together the simplicity of Japanese design with the warmth and practicality of Scandinavian interiors. Think natural materials, soft earthy colours, beautiful textures and a calmer, less cluttered look.

It's a look that's become popular in nursery design, with parents choosing spaces that feel peaceful and welcoming rather than automatically following traditional pink or blue colour schemes. And those same colours are finding their way into baby clothes, blankets, toys and gifts.

They're easy to mix and match, work beautifully with natural wood and other nursery furnishings, and have a timeless quality that many parents love.

There's something rather nice about choosing a gift because you love the colours and the products.

Neutral baby shower gifts are also a sensible option if you don't know the family's preferences, or if the parents would like to use certain items again for another baby.

And neutral certainly doesn't have to mean boring. Beautiful textures, gentle animal designs and carefully chosen colours can make a gift feel every bit as special.

Of course, if you know the parents would prefer something pink or blue, that's lovely too. There are plenty of beautiful options available in both colours. The important thing is choosing something you know they'll love, rather than feeling you have to follow a particular trend.

Love this hamper? Click the photograph to see what's inside.

What about baby shower gifts the baby won't need straight away?

We think these are often overlooked.

Everyone naturally concentrates on the newborn stage, but babies grow at an astonishing rate. Before anyone quite knows where the time has gone, they're reaching for toys, exploring different textures and getting ready to try their first foods.

So why not think a little further ahead?

Weaning gifts

Baby weaning gifts can be a really thoughtful choice, even if the baby won't need them for several months.

Little feeding bowls, baby spoons, suitable cups and other practical feeding accessories can be lovely things for parents to have ready when the time comes.

There's no need to rush the baby into using them, of course. They'll be waiting when the baby is ready.

And it's quite nice to receive something that hasn't already been bought three times over.

Developmental toys

The same goes for developmental toys.

Sensory toys, soft activity toys, rattles and simple toys designed for exploring and discovering can all make lovely baby shower presents.

Babies change so quickly during their first year that something which seems a little advanced at the baby shower may become a firm favourite before long.

There's nothing wrong with choosing a toy for a later stage. Just check the manufacturer's recommended age so the parents know when it will be suitable for their baby to enjoy.

A gift for the months ahead shows you've thought beyond those first few weeks.

Should you include something for the parents?

We certainly think it's a lovely idea.

A baby shower celebrates a new arrival, but there's a parent or two beginning a completely new chapter as well.

A little treat for them, perhaps some lovely chocolate or something they can enjoy during a quiet moment, can make a gift feel especially thoughtful.

It doesn't have to be anything extravagant.

Sometimes it's simply nice to be reminded that while everyone is excited about the baby, somebody has thought about you too.

And here's another idea we really love. Why not tuck in a little handwritten note promising to help once the baby arrives?

Perhaps you'll come round and tackle the washing, change the beds, pick up some shopping or arrive with lunch. Or maybe you'll offer to cuddle the baby for half an hour while Mum enjoys a shower without having to rush.

Nothing grand, nothing expensive. Just a genuine offer to take something off their hands when they need it.

And when you tuck that little promise of help inside a thoughtfully chosen baby shower gift, you've given the parents something lovely to open now and something they'll really appreciate later.

Does the gift message on a baby shower present really matter?

Oh, we think it matters enormously.

You can spend ages choosing a beautiful baby shower gift, but it's often the words tucked inside that make it truly personal.

A handwritten message has something rather special about it. Someone has taken the time to put pen to paper and write something meant entirely for you.

It doesn't need to be long or clever. A few genuine words can say everything.

Perhaps you want to tell the parents how excited you are for them, share a little memory, or simply let them know you're thinking about them.

At In The Box Baby Hampers, we can include your own personal gift message, handwritten on a card and placed inside the hamper.

Not a generic message chosen for you. Your words, written by hand, for the people you're celebrating.

We think that's an important part of getting a gift right.

And if you're sending a baby shower gift directly to the parents, it's particularly lovely for them to find that personal message when they open it.

Is a keepsake a good baby shower gift?

Absolutely, especially alongside something practical.

We love gifts that bring together something useful now and something to treasure later.

A keepsake box might eventually become home to a hospital bracelet, a first photograph, a tiny pair of socks or one of those little things nobody can quite bear to throw away.

A nursery print can be another lovely choice, particularly if you know the family's taste.

Not everything in a baby shower gift has to last forever. Sometimes it's simply nice to include one thing that might.

Love this gift? Click the photograph to see more.

How much should you spend on a baby shower gift?

There's no magic number.

What feels comfortable for one person might be completely different from another, and nobody should feel pressured into spending more than they can afford.

A beautifully chosen smaller gift can be just as meaningful as something much more expensive.

If you're buying with friends or colleagues, putting your money together can be a good way to choose something a little larger without anyone having to spend a fortune.

The important thing isn't how much you've spent. It's whether the gift feels right for the people receiving it.

Is a baby hamper a good baby shower gift?

We would say yes, wouldn't we? But there are some very good reasons why.

A thoughtfully chosen baby hamper brings several little gifts together in one present.

It's a lovely option if you want a mix of practical items, something for the parents and perhaps a keepsake too.

And remember, a baby hamper doesn't need to contain baby clothes to be a wonderful gift.

You might prefer a hamper with baby care essentials, a cosy blanket, a soft toy or items that will become useful as the baby grows.

If friends or colleagues are buying together, a hamper can also make a lovely group present.

One thing we'd always suggest is looking carefully at what's inside rather than choosing by size alone.

Does the selection suit the family? Are the products useful? Are any toys appropriate for the baby's age? Does it include things they'll genuinely enjoy receiving?

At In The Box Baby Hampers, we love the thoughtful part of gift-giving. Finding a combination that makes you think, “Yes, that's for them.”Love this hamper? Click the photograph to see what's inside.

Can you send a baby shower gift if you can't attend?

Of course.

Perhaps you live miles away, you're working that weekend or you simply can't make the celebration.

Sending a baby shower gift directly to the parents is a lovely way to be part of the occasion, even when you can't be there yourself.

A carefully chosen gift with a handwritten personal message can feel wonderfully thoughtful when it arrives at their door.

And if the baby shower is a surprise, do check the delivery arrangements with the organiser first.

You don't want your gift arriving early and giving the whole thing away.

The best gift feels like you thought about them

You don't have to buy everything a new family could possibly need. And you certainly don't need to arrive with the biggest present at the baby shower.

Sometimes the loveliest gift is something practical they'll reach for every day. Sometimes it's something they won't need for a few months, but will be so pleased to have when the time comes. And sometimes it's a little keepsake they'll still have years from now.

What matters is that you've thought about the people you're buying for.

You're giving them a little celebration, a few lovely things and a reminder that their new arrival is already very loved.

That's a rather lovely place to start.

If you're looking for a little inspiration, have a browse through our explore our baby shower collection , neutral baby gifts and corporate baby gifts at In The Box Baby Hampers. We hope you'll find something that feels just right for the family you're celebrating.

The In The Box Baby Hampers Team x