Unique Gifts for Babies and New Parents

Preserve Memories

Looking for a sentimental gift? Try a scrapbook! The type of scrapbook you give depends on your preference and the new mom's interests.

A small scrapbook given at a shower can be filled with photos of the pregnant mom and guests. Allow each guest a page and provide photo-safe pens for them to leave messages of warm wishes or advice for the new mom. You can leave additional space at the end of the book to fill with photos from the baby shower. Embellish the album with stickers, die cuts, poems and colorful papers, and you'll have a beautiful gift to be treasured.

If Mom herself if a scrapbooker, give a high-quality baby scrapbook with plenty of fun, photo-safe stickers, papers, and a gift certificate for additional scrapping materials.

Starter Savings Account

This is a nice way to begin Baby's savings. Whether you open an account for Baby or invest in a mutual fund or savings bond, it's sure to be a gift parents will appreciate. If the idea of giving money seems too impersonal, buy a beautiful piggy bank for Baby and enclose the information about the account.

Pampering for Mom

Being pregnant, having a baby, and mothering can be physically and emotionally exhausting—and moms need special attention too! Gift certificates for a massage, manicure or pedicure are wonderful, as is a lovely basket filled with bath products (for a relaxing soak while Baby is napping) and maybe even a small box of chocolates and a couple of fun magazines (because new moms don't have time for novels!). Additionally, you may offer to sit with the baby while Mom gets her manicure or even while she just takes a long, hot shower with her new body-pampering products.

Get Personal

Baby's parents may have spent months coming up with the perfect name for their little one, so they're sure to love seeing it! Framed announcements, engraved picture frames, or other personalized gifts are always special.

For a more hands-on approach to personal presents, give the family a gift certificate to a paint-your-own pottery studio, where they can decorate anything from cookie jars to plates with baby's handprints or footprints.

Get Out Activities

When Mom is emerging from her postpartum haze, she'll be ready to get out of the house and rejoin the world. A gift certificate to a fun activity will help her on the way: she may enjoy a class on baby massage, Gymboree, Strollerobics or mother/baby yoga.

Diaper Service

If Baby's parents have opted to use cloth diapers, go in on a present with friends of the family and buy a few months' worth of a diaper service. It isn't glamorous, but it will save Mom and Dad a lot of time they'd much rather spend enjoying their family.