Parents-to-be are typically inundated with unimaginative cuddly toys and babygrows in newborn size that babies quickly outgrow. But there are plenty more original ideas for baby shower gifts that will not only stand out, but can also treat the mother-to-be and make new parents’ lives that bit easier.
1. aden + anais Cosy Muslin Buggy Blanket: £24.01, aden + anais
This luxury brand’s cosy muslin collection launched last month, with a swaddle and buggy blanket. In 100 per cent brushed cotton muslin, with a hypoallergenic fill, you couldn’t find a softer buggy blanket. It comes in pretty milkshake pink and soft grey, and will look gorgeous on the new pram.
2. Frugi Cosy Toes Gift Set: £14.75, Frugi
Baby clothes don’t get cuter than this gift set from the organic, ethically-produced brand, including top, crawlers and hat in extra soft cotton. The prints and appliques are adorable and the envelope neckline makes for easy dressing and changing. Available in two different designs.
3. Neal’s Yard Mother and Baby Organic Collection: £45, Neal’s Yard
Both mum, from pregnancy onwards, and baby will feel pampered by this set from the organic skincare brand. It contains massage oils and soothing balms, baby bath and shampoo, and bath oil for mum, all delicate on the skin and smelling gorgeous.
4. Molly and Moo Beau Bunny Hooded Towel: £24, Molly and Moo
With its cute bunny ears and face, this hooded towel is adorable. It’s made from a super-soft, thick and absorbent cotton, is a lovely unisex grey colour and a generous size, so it will last a long time.
5. Cook Voucher: From £5, Cook
Let’s face it, the best gifts you can give new parents are sleep and something to eat. With little energy for preparing food, a voucher for these ready-made, home-cooked-style meals – frozen without preservatives – will be much appreciated. Cook now has 87 shops from Taunton to Glasgow, with home delivery available across the UK, and meals start at around £3 (although vouchers start at £5).
6. Cowshed Gift Voucher: From £14, Cowshed
A mum-to-be will be grateful for a pampering treatment and Cowshed’s offerings are suitably luxurious. Everything, from the ergonomic massage bed to the products used, is tailored to a pregnant woman’s needs. A 90-minute treatment includes a soak for tired, swollen feet, full-body massage and face reviver, while the Ultimately Udderly Gorgeous is a four- to five-hour package including massage, facial, pedicure and manicure for £215. Gift cards are available either as an amount, or for a specific service, and there are a number of spas in the south of England.
7. JoJo Maman Bébé Bunny Blankie: £12, JoJo Maman Bébé
Babies receive plush toys galore, but a favourite comforter will be taken everywhere and is soothing for little ones. This bunny is super soft and cuddly, suitable for newborns and machine washable too.
8. Taf Toys Clip On Pram Book: £9.99, Amazon
Babies see only black, white and grey when they’re first born. This book that clips on to the pram (where baby spends a lot of time in its first year), with its high contrast colours and patterns, smiley faces and mirror aids visual development and is stimulating for two different stages – the monochrome side is aimed from birth to three months, while the second is brightly coloured.
9. Thrupenny Bits Breastfeeding Cushion: £33, Thrupenny Bits
We’ve tried out a few different cushions, but particularly love this one from Thrupenny Bits. It’s large enough to support a new baby and make the feeding easier, and doubles up as a bag later if you remove the padding. It’s also a good size for travelling.
10. Frugi Muslin Squares: From £4.20, Frugi
You can never have too many muslins, and among the softest cotton muslins on the market are from this organic brand. These have colourful unisex patterns which look great, but that are also stimulating for baby.
11. The Little Green Sheep Baby Wild Cotton Bear Sleep Bag: £38.95, John Lewis
Inspired by nature, the new range from the organic baby sleepwear and bedding store has the sweetest illustrations of bears and bunnies. This organic brushed cotton sleeping bag is the softest you can get for delicate newborn skin. Its 2.5-tog padding makes it suitable for all-year-round sleep, and its unisex grey colour makes it the perfect gift when you don’t know the baby’s sex.
12. Charbonnel et Walker Baby Hamper: £75, Charbonnel et Walker
Let’s face it, it’s all about the baby and not the parents, but you can make a mum-to-be feel special with this beautifully presented box filled with treats from the chocolatier, and a small bottle of Moet Champagne to wet the baby’s head. There are pink and blue versions, with Marc de Champagne truffles, milk and dark chocolates, as well as sea salt caramels and fine dark chocolates.
13. Rachel Riley Button Strap Knitted Booties: £14.50, Rachel Riley
Children’s designer Rachel Riley’s adorable clothes are frequently spotted on Prince George because of its timeless styles and unique prints. These knitted woollen booties for tiny toes with a sweet slipper design are the perfect gift and keepsake.
14. We Made Me Wuti Wrap: £49.99, Mothercare
Another practical option to help make life easier with a newborn, a sling allows the new baby to sleep on parents while freeing up hands. This one is comfortable, easy to use, has breathable stretch material, and cocoons the baby, so it’s ideal for newborns. It folds down into a little pouch so it can be easily stored in a changing bag.
15. aden + anais Classic Burpy Bibs: £17.94, aden + anais
Bibs are another item that you can never have too many of. It’s worth spending a bit more on these bibs that are generously sized and double as a burp cloth, and are made of aden and anais’s famously soft and absorbent fabric. We love the designs, especially the Disney collection.
The Verdict: Baby shower gifts
You can’t go wrong with Frugi’s soft organic cotton muslin squares and aden + anais’s bibs – no parents can have too many of them. But for something more original, opt for aden + anais’s cosy muslin pram blanket, or Molly and Moo’s cute bunny towel, both of which are good value for the quality. And the gifts that will be most appreciated are those which spoil the mother-to-be and make new parents’ lives easier, so consider a relaxing massage, vouchers for Cook’s delicious frozen meals, or even a chocolate and Champagne-filled hamper from Charbonnel et Walker, if you’re feeling generous.
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