It can be hard to know what to get a new parent for a baby shower or a congratulations gift after the new baby comes home from the hospital. While there are some exceptions, these are 5 gifts that you should avoid giving:
Any Duplicate Baby Gifts
There are so many happy friends and family that it's pretty likely the baby will be receiving some duplicate items as gifts. If the parents-to-be have a baby registry, check it before buying your gift. New parents will probably not have the luxury of spending the time or effort required to return a gift after the baby arrives. When in doubt, ask the new mom what she's already got and what she still needs to avoid getting a duplicate.
Nursery Decor
When it comes to decorating the nursery, there is a wide variety of preferences out there. Some parents like a nursery decorated in gender-neutral colors while others prefer a nursery that is pink for girls or blue for boys. Some like a cutesy room filled with teddy bear decorations, while others prefer a more modern look for the nursery. Unless you know the new parents very well and feel confident that you know your gift will fit into their decorating scheme, steer clear of nursery decor and let the parents handle it.
Baby Blankets
While every infant needs a good supply of baby blankets, most new parents are inundated with more blankets than they could ever hope to use. If giving a baby blanket, use caution. At the very least, make it special by giving a homemade blanket embroidered with the child's name or a special saying. Waiting until after the baby is born and adding the birth stats (date, time, length, and weight) makes the blanket a special keepsake that parents will appreciate more.
Newborn Outfits
Those tiny little newborn outfits are hard to resist, but remember that the parents will be receiving a lot of small clothes. At best, their child will be able to wear them for a month before growing out of them. In the event that their baby is on the large side, he or she might not even be able to wear them at all! It's always best to go with clothing in a larger size to ensure that the gift will be used and appreciated.
Designated Special Event Clothing
A person who gives a special "coming home from the hospital" outfit or a baptism outfit has her heart in the right place, but it may not feel that way to the new parents. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will never come again for their baby, and they may feel upset that they don't get to choose what baby is wearing for it. Odds are that the mother has already chosen a special "going home" outfit for her newborn, and maybe she has a special baptismal gown handed down from great-grandma too.
For a baby gift that is useful and appreciated by new parents, it's wisest to steer clear of these 5 shopping blunders. For some suggestions on great newborn gifts to give instead, read "5 Best Baby Shower and Newborn Gifts" and "Help that New Moms Really Need."
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
Join the Conversation