Ask first time parents-to-be what baby shower gifts they would like
to receive. Watch their response -- you'll quite likely see a look of
real confusion on their faces! Or maybe they'll come up with a stock
answer like "diapers" or something similar.
Exactly what a new arrival needs is not obvious to someone who's never
had a baby before. And many times, guests are in no better position
either, when it comes to deciding on baby shower gifts.
Of course, there's a lot more to baby showers than just gifts. But
helping parents to stock up for the new arrival is an important part of
these celebrations.
That's why the following list of top five baby shower gifts can be quite
useful.
Top gift #1: Monitors
Monitors are excellent anxiety-busters, especially for first-time
parents. That's why they hold the No.1 position on this list.
Once they can listen to the baby from anywhere in the house, parents
find their confidence levels zooming. The latest monitors are very
sensitive and can pick up the slightest sound from baby, even her
breathing.
If your budget allows for it, take it one step further and buy a video
monitor. That'll really ease anxiety. However, they are much more
expensive, so perhaps this can be a joint baby shower gift from two or
more guests.
Top Gift #2: Playtime mate for baby
Babies love to play. Anything that helps them play and be active not
only keeps them engaged, but also stimulates all round development.
One of the best products for them is an activity gym or playpen. This is
a soft cloth mat surrounded by a baby-friendly structure of bars and
arches with many different toys suspended from various points. Baby gets
to play in a safe environment.
Basic activity gyms are excellent baby shower gifts. There are also more
advanced ones that include noisemakers and a variety of toys. The
suspended objects have different colors and textures to help develop
baby's cognitive abilities.
There are also excellent portable gyms and playpens available to help
parents move around with baby. These are lightweight and designed to be
easy to carry around.
Top Gift #3: Baby sling
Most babies love being carried around in a sling. It's the next best
thing to being cuddled in mom's arms. Many parents have had the
experience where babies get restless and cry while they use other types
of carriers, but immediately calm down when put into a sling.
Baby slings are believed to foster a closer parent-child bond. Whether
that's true or not, slings do have another great advantage -- they leave
your hands free to do other things. That's definitely a big plus and is
a reason why this baby shower gift is highly appreciated.
Top Gift #4: The baby travel pack
Moving around with baby can be a chore -- you have to pack a seemingly
endless array of baby stuff even for short outings.
One way to ease this problem is to have one or more baby travel packs
handy. What's a travel pack? Essentially, a diaper bag filled with baby
necessities. It can include disposable diapers, a small toy or two, bib,
complete change of clothes for baby, safety pins, and other supplies.
It's a great advantage if the parents receive more than one travel pack.
Then one pack can always be kept ready whenever they want to go. No need
to mess around with picking up and stuffing items into a diaper bag at
the last minute.
Top gift #5: Car seat
Lots of parents say that a well-designed car seat is a wonderfully
useful baby shower gift to receive. In fact, it's useful from the moment
they leave hospital with the baby.
There are infant car seats available as well as infant-toddler
convertible seats. The former can be used only till the baby is up to 22
pounds or so (typically). While the latter can usually be used till the
first birthday.
Both are great baby shower gifts specially designed for the baby on the
move!
Make sure these top five baby shower gifts are part of the event you're
hosting. The guest of honor will end up thanking you long after the
party gets over!
About the Author
Jessika Ryder is a successful business writer and party enthusiast
providing valuable information on baby showers. Her numerous articles
provide tips on
baby shower invitations, gifts, party planning and other aspects of
these celebrations.