baby shower gift ideas: what should you actually buy?

so, you've been invited to a baby shower and you want to buy a good gift - something they'll genuinely use and love

you want to get something good, something the parents will appreciate and, ideally, something that won't end up tucked away in a cupboard after a few weeks or something they just wont use!

the good news is that there isn't one perfect baby shower gift. It could be something personalised, a bag full of everyday essentials or even a voucher for those evenings when cooking is the last thing on anyone's mind

if you're stuck for ideas, here are a few things worth thinking about:

something personalised

let's start with the cute stuff, because who doesn't love a personalised baby gift?

if the parents have shared their baby's name, you could look for something with their little one's name on it. Think personalised blankets, baby grows, keepsake boxes or a lovely little book they can keep for years to come

not sure of the name yet? No problem! There are plenty of beautiful personalised gifts that don't need one

everyday baby essentials

here's the thing: babies might be tiny, but the list of stuff they need certainly isn't!

a bag or basket filled with useful essentials can be a brilliant baby shower gift. You could include baby wash, towels, muslins, bibs, cotton wool and other everyday bits that parents will get plenty of use out of

and if you know the parents already have lots of clothes and cuddly toys, this can be a lovely way to give them something a little different that will come in extremely handy!

something for the parents

we spend so much time thinking about what the baby needs that it's easy to forget about the parents!

the first few weeks with a newborn can be wonderful, exhausting, emotional and a little bit chaotic, sometimes all in the same afternoon. So why not give the parents something that makes their lives a little easier, too?

a takeaway voucher is a great place to start. Because sometimes, getting dinner delivered and not having to think about cooking is exactly what you need

could also be a coffee shop voucher, a food delivery gift card, their favourite snacks or a little pamper hamper if you're close to the parents, you could even offer to drop off a meal once the baby arrives

these gifts might not be the first things people think of for a baby shower, but they can be some of the most appreciated gifts

practical gifts they'll use again and again

feeding accessories, bottles, bibs, dummies, teethers all come in handy

of course, every family is different, and you might not know exactly what they've bought already - checking whether they've created a wishlist can be really helpful

not sure what they need? Wishwave can help

if you're still not sure what to buy, check whether the parents have created a baby wishlist!

we know that choosing a gift is meant to be fun, but it can be tricky when you don't know what the parents already have, what they still need or what they've got their eye on. The last thing you want is to buy something lovely, only to find they've already got three of them!

Wishwave lets expectant parents create a wishlist, bringing gifts from different online shops together in one place. They can then share their list with friends and family, making it easier for everyone to find something they'll love

even better, guests can reserve gifts without needing to create an account, helping to avoid duplicate presents

expecting a little one yourself? You can create your own wishlist with Wishwave, add the things you've been saving for your baby's arrival and share it with the people who want to celebrate with you

Find out more and create your wishlist at Wishwave