Baby Gift Giving

• If a woman goes through the trouble to make a gift registry or wish list, she wants you to follow it. At least look at the list to see the types of things baby needs and see if somethings have already been purchased. If you don't buy off the list, give a gift receipt.
• When buying baby clothes, buy something that the baby will get to wear relatively soon. While clothes for toddlers are cute, the mom-to-be wants help dressing her child for right after it is born. Natalie is now a year old and there are still a couple things she got at my baby shower that she can't wear yet.
• Also, when you buy clothes, if you want to get a larger size, think through the seasons. I had someone give us a full fleece outfit in 9 month size when Natalie would be 9 months in July. Of course we were grateful, but if we hadn't been able to return it, it would have gone straight to Good Will.
• When buying for an older baby, such as a first birthday party, you will be a saint if you open, detag, and assemble your gift for the parents. Wrap the toy and give the parents the packaging in case there is a problem.
• Don't forget the finishing touches! Natalie loved curly ribbon. She also loved the music playing gift cards.
• If it requires batteries, it is great if you give those, too, especially if they are an odd size (like C or 9 volt) that people often don't keep in the house.
• Books are great gifts for first time moms. There are two types of books to get: 1) books baby will "read" such as pictures of babies and 2) books mom and dad will read to baby such as Goodnight Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. You can get many classic story books in board book format, which makes it easier for an older baby to turn the pages.
• Bottles of baby wash, shampoo, and lotion last forever.
• Something no one ever thinks to give at a baby shower: Baby Tylenol.
• If your gift has a lot of parts, try putting them all into one larger bag with some tissue paper. That way baby, toddler, or parents don't have to deal with as much unwrapping.
• New moms tend to get a lot of blankets, but most baby books say that blankets are dangerous for newborns. We never used any of the blankets we were given for that reason. Instead, give blanket sleepers if baby is going to be a winter baby in a cold climate.
• A great gift (especially if you are a scrapbooker): A durable family album or book with labeled pictures of family and friends. Keep the pages pretty simple or else baby could be overwhelmed.
• A great gift idea: A gift certificate to get professional portraits done.