How to Choose the Best Baby Gifts for a New Mom
Confession.
I used to be a serial bad baby gifter, and I had no idea. I was completely clueless.
I’d basically pick out super cute outfits without any thought to the size or season. Cute was all that mattered.
I didn’t think about whether or not that cute little sunsuit would be practical come December when baby was actually likely to fit in it. I didn’t even realise that could be a problem, because obviously babies don’t grow quickly or anything like that. Right?
When I became a new mom though, I quickly picked up how these things really worked and I finally clued in about how useless most of the baby shower gifts I’d given in the past really were.
The thing is, according to research conducted by TripleScoop Premium Market Research titled, “Baby Gifting – The Bizarre, the Useful and the Needed”, almost half of gift givers (forty-two per cent) are unaware that they may actually be gifting something completely impractical.
If you are wondering what new moms and babies really need as baby gifts, well look no further. Let’s demystify good baby gifting.
The same research actually shows that just over six-in-10 Canadian moms consider gift cards to be useful gifts which is hardly surprising as it allows you to get what you really need. Seventy per cent think diapers are helpful gifts, sixty-three per cent will thank you for onesies, while fifty-seven per cent will happily receive baby clothes, baby toys or books.
Just over half of Canadian moms will be grateful for bedding, blankets and swaddling blankets. Car seats and strollers do make the top cut for useful gifts but surprisingly only coming in at forty-two per cent and forty per cent respectively.
Most new moms build a baby registry for their shower with all the items they want. The problem is that most new moms don’t have a clue about what they will really need which can make buying a great gift that much more difficult.
What you need to do is think practical; when gift giving it is important to think about what the baby really needs when choosing what to buy for new parents. A lightweight stroller, a baby carrier, a high chair, a diaper disposal system, large bibs, bottles, and diapers are all examples of essentials that the new parents will be thankful for.
When looking for practical gifts, PlaytexBaby™ can help provide items that baby needs and will be used consistently such as feeding essentials like nipples and bottles.
Playtex Baby® and Babies “R” Us Offer
Another way that PlaytexBaby™ can help you make gift giving easy is with their current exclusive Babies “R” Us promotion.
From September 30 to October 31, 2016 spend $40 or more before tax on PlaytexBaby™ products (excluding all Playtex® Diaper Genie® products) at Babies “R” Us and you will receive a bonus $10 gift card to use on your next purchase.
Add the bonus $10 gift card to your gift and give mom a gift she’ll actually use – feeding essentials for baby’s first year, plus a $10 gift card to pick up something else she needs and wasn’t gifted. You could also keep the $10 gift card for yourself and pick up something your own little one would like.
This offer is valid in-store and online. If you do earn your offer online, you can still use your gift card on an in-store purchase. What a great offer!
So what should you gift mom? Skip that silver baby rattle and instead head over to Babies “R” Us to pick up some PlaytexBaby™ feeding essentials and get that gift card!
Disclosure: This post has been brought to you by PlaytexBaby™ . All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
Gift cards may be impersonal but way more useful!! I know that I would prefer them 80% of the time!!
Good tips, I do try to stay away from the cute baby outfits when I give baby gifts. The latest Baby gift I gave a homemade knitted blanket, bottles, & pacifiers done up in a basket.
I tend to give something practical like huggies or blankets. I like to add a Teddy Bear so Baby will have a friend in the crib. I really like your tips.
Sometimes shopping for an acquaintance or a work-friend can be so frustrating! I love that you went straight for an inexpensive solution, including the best gift of all, the ever-useful gift card. For me, when I go to the baby shower (which is really weird if you’re a guy), the biggest gift of all is knowing that I’m not the one who has the baby coming.
Was that bad?
I love receiving gift cards but I know some find them impersonal. I am all about pitching in with others for larger items, though.
I used to shop exactly like you until I had kids. It changed how I shopped for baby gifts from then on.
This is great info! I always have a hard timing picking out baby gifts. Its such a stressful purchase!
I feel like the more expensive gifts are the best for young parents. They may not be able to afford them. Also, diapers are always great. You can never have to many when you have a young baby.
Gift cards make a great baby shower gift. I like to include a few restaurant ones for the nights they are to busy to cook. I always make sure the restaurant delivers.
I love to make gift baskets for baby showers. I always add a few different sizes of diapers. I add a few different gift cards for Mom to get what she needs.
I usually make gift baskets full of a lot of baby items. Diapers and wipes are always a great gift as well. I never really thought about buying gift cards though.
I love all your ideas! In my opinion shopping for useful baby gear will go a long way as a gift. I always like to give a gift card and a smal inexpensive baby item
I’m also a bad baby gift giver! It’s hard to know what a new mom needs unless she’s your closest friend! And sometimes when it’s your best friend, you completely skip practical for something frivolous instead! 🙂
I completely agree that moms need useful stuff and not the decorative options. Toys don’t make much sense in the early months either. Give them what they really NEED!
Gift cards are one of my favorite gifts to get because then I can pick out what we need/want. When my boys were little they definitely came in handy!
Yes..essentials, and gift cards all the way. Sadly so much out there that will only end not being used and taking up space in someone’s home.
I love giving gift cards. They are so practical and the mom-to-be can get what she needs.
When gifting diapers I go with a larger size because babies don’t stay in the newborn size for long. When they already have a gift registry I try to go with what is practical on the list.
I think gift cards are the best gift for new mom
I find giftcard and diapers are usually a hit!! They get so much clothes when all they wear is sleepers most of the time!!!
I never buy clothes as a gift……essentials are always useful!
I always like buying stuff that they can use and I stay away from outfits, I like getting diapers, lotions, nail clippers, brush and comb, wipes, stuff like that!!
Gift cards are fine but really any gift is a good thing, remember it is a gift.