When it comes to baby shower gifts, having an original newborn baby idea doesn’t come easily. With the most popular gifts being adorable baby outfits, most new mothers would opt to receive more useful items. After all, shopping for cute sailor outfits and frilly dresses in the baby department is one of the enjoyments of pregnancy so, most likely, the baby's closet is already busting at the seams. Here is a list of BabyBobbi.com's top five unique and practical baby shower gift ideas that every mother-to-be wants or needs (even though she may not know it yet!) to help anyone in search of the perfect baby shower gift.
1. House Cleaning Services
The
attention of most new mothers is focused solely on their new baby.
Although keeping a spotless environment for a healthy baby is a top
priority, it is not always possible. A gift certificate from a
reputable, professional cleaning service is a gift that would make most women do cartwheels! To literally add a personal touch to your gift idea,
give a personalized gift certificate offering your own cleaning skills
for a few hours to help dust, vacuum, mop and wash dishes. This unique twist is particularly practical for anyone that is financially strapped at the time of the shower yet is flourishing with creativity and thoughtfulness. After all, the gift of
giving your own time to make your friend's life easier would certainly
be appreciated more than a plastic rattle with a duck-shaped squeaky on
one end.
2. Diaper Delivery Services
Inquiring
as to whether the new mother will be using cloth diapers may be your
ticket to a great newborn baby gift idea. If she will be using cloth
diapers, then giving a diaper delivery service gift certificate is a
helpful idea that will save cloth-using parents money. Every month
their baby will receive fresh, clean diapers and the soiled one’s will
be whisked away!
3. Themed Newborn Baby Gift Baskets
Gift baskets are, undoubtedly, fun for those who love to spoil others with a variety of presents. Not only are they practical and fun to shop for, but they also save new parents money when buying basic newborn baby items – and EVERYONE loves that! Although there are many ready-made newborn gift baskets in retail stores worldwide, it would be hard to find one that is as customized as a do-it-yourself basket. This newborn baby idea not only allows your gift to be a gender-tailored one, but it allows you the creativity of giving the basket a theme that you know is dear to the heart of the mom-to-be or one that includes essential items that have not yet been purchased. For the family that enjoys road trips, assemble a baby road trip basket
including a baby mirror for viewing the backseat while driving, a
roll-down sun visor for the baby’s seat, a car baby bottle warmer
(plugs into the lighter) and other relative items! Some other theme ideas include baby safety baskets (outlet covers, door knob covers, toilet safety latch, etc), nighttime baskets (night light, soft music CD, etc), and bath time baskets (tearless shampoos, soft washcloths, etc). Customized, themed gift baskets such as these are newborn baby gift ideas that are both creative and practical, and are sure to be a hit with any new mother AND father!
4. Magazine Subscriptions
New mothers not only soak up baby information before the baby is born, but continue to do so afterwards. If the mother-to-be is an avid reader or just enjoys flipping through magazines, purchasing magazine subscriptions to mothering magazines or toddler magazines would give her something to look forward to the entire year! If she is a scrapbook hobbyist, then a subscription to a scrapbooking magazine accompanied by a new scrapbook for her baby memories may be just the perfect newborn baby idea for her!
5. Food Delivery
New moms do not have time to cook four course meals after the baby is born so she and dad often go without. Assembling menus to local take-out restaurants attached to a few gift certificates will help them keep nourished as they adjust to their new schedules. If cooking happens to be your forte, then opt to make a few certificates stating that you will make and deliver two to three meals the first week she and the baby return from the hospital. As a side note, make sure and tell her you will NOT be entering the house but just dropping the meals off. As the announcement of a new baby is made, it is often accompanied by countless guests at a time when a new mother is just learning to cope with new feelings and responsibilities, both of which can quickly become overwhelming. Dropping the meals off at the door will help to relieve any anxiety she may have regarding the physical state of her house or herself, and allows her the enjoyment of a home-cooked meal without conversation.
If all else fails, gift cards will not. Although they are not considered a unique present, they are always appreciated. Gift cards are offered at almost every major retail store chain and help to take the buying pressure off of you, particularly if you are in a hurry to find a gift. They will allow the new mother to either spoil her baby with a colorful new outfit, or replenish her supply of breastfeeding pads – whatever is needed most at the time. After all, it is inevitable that new mothers will receive duplicate gifts, some of which may need to be returned or will end up never being used. However, receiving more than one gift card is a newborn baby gift idea where more is better!
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