Baby Shower Gift Ideas for the Modern Mum-to-be

You’ve been invited to a baby shower but are stuck on what gift to buy? Read on for my top baby shower gift ideas, as well as ones to avoid!

Photography Gift Vouchers

As a photographer, of course my first suggestion is going to be photography related! But in all seriousness, this really is a banging baby shower gift idea. A lot of first time parents don’t realise how far in advance newborn photoshoots need to be booked, a lot of photographers book up months in advance. This is why I recommend booking anytime from the 12 week scan, to avoid disappointment. Having said that, don’t rush out and buy a voucher from the first photographer you come across, try to do your research. Think about the Mum to be, what is her style? Is she a modern, stylish Mama? She might prefer a more modern, simple style of newborn photography like mine at Authentic Baby Photography. Or perhaps she is a bit more traditional, and might prefer the more traditional photography style of babies in buckets/dressed up as a lion. Just take a minute to think about what she might like and go from there. There are baby photographers everywhere catering to every budget, so you’ll be sure to find one local to you who offers gift vouchers. Also, you’re bound to win on the gift front with this - yours will last a lifetime!

Feed the poor b*stards

Food is always a winner. Years gone by friends and family would turn up with a f*ck ton of home cooked lasagne or twenty Tupperware dishes filled with various meals to go in the freezer (and probably never see the light of day again) but who has time to do that now? The sentiment still works but there are more convenient ways of delivering it. Cook offer gift vouchers, and even have meal boxes especially for new parents - genius! Dominos Pizza even offer gift vouchers now! Who doesn’t love a cheeky dominos?

Something to add to as they grow

I received a beautiful pandora bracelet with a new baby charm from my Mother in Law when my eldest was born. It was such a thoughtful gift idea because as our family has grown over the years people have been able to buy me charms to add to it. I’m now on my second bracelet as the first is full! Things like wedding anniversaries, birthdays, even trips to Disneyland meant that a new charm could be added to mark the occasion. Such a simple idea but also a wonderful keepsake to look back on for years to come. One of my fave possessions is my Mums old charm bracelet, I get it out every now and then to look through the charms and have a play - its such a tactile item and full of sentiment. I can’t wait to be able to do the same with mine and pass it down to my Daughter when she’s older.

Books, books and more books

I love this one so much, and will deffo use this next time one of my friends has a baby.

“The favourite gifts I got at my baby shower was friends and families favourite books from their childhood or just lovely childrens books and they had hand written messages to my baby in them - they are such cherished gifts” Leoni from The Grazing Squad

Thoughtful & Personal

“In terms of giving gifts at baby showers I always try to think a bit outside the box. What I’ve seen at friends’ showers is they get almost a life time supply of cute baby grows so I try to come up with something a little different.

If I’m totally honest I also usually wait until baby is born as then I can also factor in an element of personalisation into the gift. Either something gorgeous with their name on, or something with a thoughtful touch.

In short, when I’m picking baby gifts I think the most important elements are that it is thoughtful + personal + something that can be cherished and enjoyed for years to come” Elisabeth from The Giftsmith

Milestone Cards

As I’m sure you know by now I don’t really go for anything too twee, and milestones could potentially fall under that category - but not these! Adulting Cards have created a set of milestone cards for new Mums that have a sense of humour, the perfect baby shower gift.

Work together

If you know everyone well enough, you could arrange a joint gift. One of the most memorable gifts from my baby shower was a frame with pieces of advice and encouragement from all of my friends and family. It made me cry and I still have it now, such a lovely thing to go back and read when I’m having a bad day (FYI: Motherhood is hard - I’ll take any advice if it helps!)

Cute AF Baby Clothes

There is nothing cuter than teeny tiny baby clothes but there are only so many vest or baby grow sets any baby needs. Why not gift something super-stylish like one of our neutral designs? Made from the softest fabrics and designed in natural, neutral (perfect for both girls and boys!) we have lots of beautiful pieces that would make any Mum-to-be squeal with excitement. Shop the Authentic Baby Boutique here

Don’t forget a thing

Cheeky Little Smiles have created a beautiful modern baby journal that would make the perfect baby shower gift. Super stylish, these aren’t your normal baby book. Created by a new Mama during lockdown, these are a bit more forgiving (it doesn’t matter if you forget to fill it in for a few weeks) and offer more flexibility than the traditional baby books. Utterly lush!

What NOT to buy - gifts that no new Mum needs in her life:

Nappy bin
Top and tail bath
Nappy cake (just buy them nappies, New Mums don’t need the hassle of dismantling a cake just to get to a nappy at 3am!)
Baby clothes in tiny baby size. My eldest was 9lbs 10oz, there was no way he was squeezing into anything smaller than 0-3 months! So go big or go home, buy bigger sizes that will get more use.
Baby toiletries - they just don’t get used. You’ll put together a beautiful hamper of baby bubble bath and massage oils that will just sit there gathering dust. As a new Mum we’re told to avoid putting anything on our baby other than a natural oil (I think it was olive oil when Keira was born?!) Buy something for Mum instead, she’ll need all the help she can get to relax once baby has arrived.

In summary - avoid the baby basket shiz and put a bit more thought into it. The Mum-to-be will thank you for it.