Baby Shower Gift Guide & Registry: Tips for Guests & Expectant Parents
Mirthe GrootenGiving a baby shower gift is a lovely tradition, but in practice, we often see parents overwhelmed with items they ultimately don't use. Everyone wants to give something that's both practical and personal, but how do you make that choice?
Below you will find an overview of smart choices per budget and tips for drawing up a handy gift list.
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Tips for guests: What to give at a baby shower?
A good gift doesn't have to be expensive, as long as it meets the parents' needs or what makes them happy. You can arrange gifts for the baby-to-be, but also for the expectant parents.
Gifts up to €25
This budget is ideal for a small gift or as a supplement to a larger package. This is often the budget for good friends and acquaintances.
- Practical basics: Think of high-quality hydrophilic cloths (you can never have enough) or washable bibs.
- Care: Choose fragrance-free baby oil or ointment without microplastics.
- Gift certificates: There are probably still many major expenses to be made before the baby arrives. If you can contribute some of them, you'll be helping them tremendously!
Our tip: A digital escape room falls perfectly into this category. It's an original gift that doesn't take up any physical space, yet ensures an afternoon full of interaction during the shower itself or as a date for the expectant parents.
Gifts between €25 and €75
This is the most popular category for your closest friends and family. It's often a great way to help with purchasing "bigger" items.
- Comfort: A baby nest, a high-quality bath cape, or a soft organic cotton wrap. It's also nice to have it engraved with a name (later).
- For the mother: A Digital Pregnancy Planner is a practical gift for mothers who like an overview.
Gifts from €75 (Joint gifts)
Unless you can easily fit this into every baby shower, we recommend having several people contribute these amounts. Larger gifts are often given together to avoid waste.
- The "Essentials": Think of a good baby monitor, an ergonomic baby carrier, or a baby bouncer. Have someone check what they already have (and don't have).
- Peace of mind: Give a gift certificate for a meal service or a professional photoshoot. A floating experience for the newborn is also very fun (and trendy).
Are you planning the babyshower for your best friend or sister? Discover our 6 tips for organizing a fun babyshower!
Tips for expectant parents: How to create a smart gift list
A gift list (or registry ) isn't rude; it's actually helpful for your guests. It prevents you from getting three identical stuffed animals and ensures people buy something that you'll actually use.
- Vary the price: Offer items ranging from €10 to €100. This way, everyone can find something that fits their budget.
- Be specific: Provide clear links or descriptions. If you want a specific brand of diapers or a certain color of baby carrier, just mention that. If they still choose a different color, it says more about them, not you.
- Keep it compact: Ten items you're really looking forward to are better than thirty random products. You can always add things later if the list runs out. You can prepare for this by working with your partner in a digital planner. Check out our digital (pregnancy) planner here.
Sustainable and conscious gift choices
More and more people are choosing gifts with a smaller ecological footprint. This is often (especially) smart to give to parents who are also very environmentally conscious.
- Gifts that grow with your child: Think of a wooden high chair or a memory box where you can store things for years to come.
- Consumables: Reusable diapers or washable wipes are sustainable and save parents a lot of money in the long run.
But also consider homemade "help vouchers." The first phase after giving birth will be the most intense for parents. They could probably use your help in all areas. Think of fresh meals, groceries, babysitting, or cleaning help.
Also read: Budget tips for an unforgettable babyshower
It's about the intention
The perfect gift is a balance between what you enjoy giving and what the recipient needs. By asking for a list or choosing an activity (like a game during the shower) or a practical tool, you're sure to be appreciated.
