What’s your favorite baby gift idea?

[Spryte]

We have lots of babies in the extended family right now.  Yay, babies!

I need some good ideas for gifts.  

Books are my go-to gift, but I like to include them with something else.  

So I’m looking for smallish gift ideas, and any book titles you’d like to recommend.

Thanks!

 

[Katy]

The Tickle Monster Laughter Kit. Looks like right now the cheapest place is Target.

[happi duck]

I always give the board books that were our family favorites along with a gift card to wherever they registered.

[Calm37]

I always include with gifts what our family calls "the magic rattle." We have used one with newborns for years. The simple shaker sound is intriguing to every newborn I have met and often stops fussing. The babies can grasp them very early on, and my first grandchild could do a two handed, joyful shake up and down at 4-5 months. So cute! So simple. They are on the shelf at Target and Walmart. This is the name of one at Amazon.

Bright Starts Rattle and Shake Barbell Toy 

[LAS in LA]

I received and like to give a flannel blanket for the stroller, car seat, etc.  It's easy to stitch a seam on a piece of flannel and there are lots of flannel patterns to choose from. Practical and somewhat personal.

Don't know if IKEA still sells the green "frog" cup/bowl/spoon set, but we loved using and giving these!

[catz]

Well for small gifts I might do like a board book and a hand made hat and/or booties.  

[Ailaena]

Depending on the relationship, I give a book or personalized book, one of those Manhattan toys like the winkel or atom, and usually one of those huge (44” or 48”) muslin receiving blankets or maybe a fancy blanket.  I have a thing for blankets 😔

[Slache]

Something from the registry. People always bought me things I didn't want or need because they ignored my registry. 

[Spryte]

1 minute ago, Slache said:

Something from the registry. People always bought me things I didn't want or need because they ignored my registry. 

A registry would be nice!  We used that for the baby shower, but now for Christmas gifts there isn’t one.  Alas!

[bibiche]

Books and babylegs for smaller gifts. And Sophie the giraffe.

Edited October 30, 2020 by bibiche

[Junie]

21 minutes ago, Spryte said:

A registry would be nice!  We used that for the baby shower, but now for Christmas gifts there isn’t one.  Alas!

You could look to see if there's anything left.

I've been using my brother and SIL's wedding and baby registries for Christmas gift ideas for the past few years.

[skimomma]

Someone in dh's family gifted us oversized flannel receiving blankets that I believe they stitched themselves.  They were about 50% larger.  They were so very handy for newborns all the way up to preschool age.  I sew and gift those almost every time I need a baby gift.  Someone else gave us a stack of those dishtowel bibs.  The kind with a hole that someone somehow sewed a t-shirt-like collar into.  Again, these were great!    Those exceed my sewing skill level though, so I don't gift those, although I'm guessing I could find some on Etsy.

[MercyA]

I love these bunny lovies made by a Hiver, although alas I have no babies in my life for whom to buy them!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyDandelionsGifts?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=862251019

New babies always receive the board book Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown from me. I also often give The Going-to-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton. 

ETA: And, yes, Sophie the Giraffe is always a good idea. 🙂

Edited October 30, 2020 by MercyA

[Slache]

55 minutes ago, Junie said:

You could look to see if there's anything left.

I've been using my brother and SIL's wedding and baby registries for Christmas gift ideas for the past few years.

Yep. Junie told me to do this and it was still there. I got a growth chart she asked for and a US scratch off map I wanted to get for him. Then I'm getting a chair they wanted for his 1st birthday. I added it all to my cart so if the registry goes away I already have it.  I specifically asked to ensure they don't have it yet and will do the same for the chair. Then imma do fun stuff.

[Tina]

I was giving Kenny Loggin's Return to Pooh Corner CD, but don't know how many use CDs anymore.  My kids have gotten their own copies as they loved it so much.  Wonderfully soothing and easy to listen to as a parent, too.  😉

Books?  Hands down my favorite to give is Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathman.  Hardly any words and the kids love it.

I was excited to see she has another book, 10 Minutes Til Bedtime, that I ordered for Christmas for my grandson. 

[Emba]

Bibs and burp clothes. I had very spitty babies and used SO many of these. I sew them and use flannel for the backing because it is so absorbent and a cute cotton print for the other side. Sometimes they’re the only gift, sometimes I also include a gift card, depending on the recipient.

Edited October 30, 2020 by Emba

[JustEm]

Every baby shower gift I include the book Sometimes I Like To Curl Up In a Ball.  Other gifts I usually go for are just diapers and wipes.

[Janeway]

I always give diapers. I also check to see what kind of diapers they use first. I figure it is practical and will get used. I also often add in a Jack-In-The-Box. Few kids have this, but all my kids have loved this toy.

[gardenmom5]

For general baby gifts (e.g. new moms at church) I have a stash of double thick flannel blankets.  I loved them for my own babies.  I buy the flannel on sale, and they're quick to make.

Baby's first christmas ornaments.

For grandbabies -  . . . we'll see.   There was one item I'd planned on buying for 2dd. (they bought it themselves.) They can easily afford, and buy, most of what they want so it's harder.

so - something I make. crocheted blanket, sweater, etc.  (except where they live in texas - it's still 80 degrees.)

Edited October 30, 2020 by gardenmom5