While making the finishing touches on the nursery before the arrival of my baby, I found it hard to find room for the thirty bibs, tons of 0-3 months clothing, and the piles of towels and blankets that I’d accumulated as gifts.  I figured someone has to get the word out about making smart purchasing decisions for expecting parents.

 

Having been there myself, going out to buy a baby’s gift can be an overwhelming experience.  You walk into a baby store and can’t help wanting to buy all the absolutely adorable items that surround you.

 

Stop.  Think.  What does a baby need? 

What do their parents want for them?  What are they most likely to get doubles (and triples and quadruples) of?  Then using these questions as a filter, find the perfect gift.

 

Think practical

Many parents-to-be will register for gifts.  By inquiring about where they might be registered to family or friends, you can ensure you buy something they want and need. Registries keep track of what has already been purchased so you won’t duplicate purchases.

 

Diapers may not seem like the most glamorous of gifts, but they sure will be used!  The expectant parents may have already purchased newborn size diapers in preparation, so you may consider buying a larger size.  Diaper cakes are a cute way to present them as a gift.

 

Gift cards are an extremely useful gift, especially to stores like Target or WalMart.  They may seem impersonal but they allow the recipient to buy diapers, wipes, or many other items they may need but are not typically purchased as gifts. 

 

Opt for larger sizes

When opting to buy clothes for a gift, know that the majority of people tend to buy 0-3 months clothes and that these will be outgrown the fastest.  Opt, instead, for larger sized clothing keeping in mind what season it will be when the baby gets to that age.  If the expectant parents didn’t find out their baby’s sex, keep in mind that there are more gender-neutral colors out there than green and yellow.

Finally, you can’t go wrong with buying a book that was a childhood favorite of yours. 

 

Remember to include a gift receipt with your gift as, even with these tips in mind, the recipient may receive multiples of something or change their mind on what they actually need. 

 

Following these tips for buying a useful baby gift will ensure your place as the best baby gift-giver around.