Choosing a Unique Baby Gift

When it comes to baby gifts, you’re spoilt for choice today, with an incredible number of products vying for your attention – and wallet! Yet, when it comes to choosing a gift for that special person’s baby, you often get stuck for ideas. How do you personalize the gift? What can you do to make the gift unique?

Making your own baby gift set
Buying a readymade gift set is convenient, but remember, the baby will invariably be receiving several of these. Why not put together a handpicked collection? For instance, you could combine baby wear, skincare products, a hooded towel and a small musical mobile.

Another great idea that’s also of practical use is putting together products that can be used as the baby grows; for instance, a blanket, teether animals, sippy cups with handles and bath toys or asthma-friendly soft toys. It’s all up to your imagination, and, of course, your budget.

Blankets n’ quilts
Tag blankets, popular from last year, make for a gift that the baby will enjoy. These are security blankets with loops around the edges that keep little infant fingers busy Etsy, the website for handmade products, features Tag Trendie by Karen Radtke. Check this one out for custom-made security blankets that come in a host of funky color combinations and ribbons.

If you’re a good DIY-er, you could plan to make a baby quilt. Customize the design according to your friend’s tastes. For instance, an acquaintance of mine gifted her Indian-born friend and mother-to-be with a baby quilt featuring typically Indian motifs like peacocks and mangoes.

Odds and ends
How about gifting a collection of lullaby CDs? The soothing music comes in especially handy while driving around with baby!

Babies are never too small for books. From the time they start sitting up, babies can be shown brightly colored board books while ensconced in mommy’s lap. A happy experience for both concerned which, hopefully, will lead to a lifelong love for reading!

If you’ve watched babies, it’s often the simple things that they seem to love. How about hand puppets? Like board books, these too have an interactive element, allowing for fun-filled, entertaining and stimulating moments between parent and child. Look out for hand puppets of familiar creatures like Winnie the Pooh. Much more fun than a regular soft toy.

Rather than gifting a run-of-the-mill baby mobile, consider a Fisher Price Ocean Wonder. This remote-controlled “aquarium” fits onto the side of baby’s crib, keeping her fascinated with aquatic sound effects, bubbles, and brightly colored fish. You can choose from five soft tunes that will lull baby to sleep.

Baby equipment
If you’re looking to gift something bigger, you might consider a baby swing. Compare swings for features like safety, varying speeds and other add-ons. Fisher Price’s Rainforest Open-Top Take Along Swing has great design features; it folds up easily, making it convenient for taking along in the car on visits, or simply from room to room. The open top is ideal for quickly lifting the baby out.