Unique Baby Gift Ideas That Are Smart, Not Silly | Baby Shower Gift Guide

When we look through lists of unique baby gift ideas we find a lot of, uh…weird stuff. We’re going to go out on a limb here and guess that if you’re looking for a unique baby gift, you still want something cool, something fun, something useful for a baby. Not just something strange. Or worse, we find so-called unique baby gift ideas that aren’t unique at all. Hmm. (Not calling you out by name, website with a baby gift list that includes a stuffed bear you can find in any store in America.) So we went to work!

While we hope that our entire baby gift guide is filled with unique baby gift ideas you’ll love, these gifts are particularly perfect for parents who have everything…or hate everything.

Above: Owlet Smart Baby Monitor System

Some purchases from this guide may help support the work we do at no additional cost to you. We only share the things we love.

 

Unique Baby Gift Ideas That Parents Will Actually Love

A Personalized ABC Book

($29.99 with discount on site, Wonderbly)
This company makes beautiful custom books that incorporate your child’s name and likeness, and now they have a new collection of personalized early learning books to teach letters, numbers, and colors. (Don’t worry if the child’s name doesn’t start with an A! Then the book might be called “D is for Daniel.”)

 

A Personal Assistant Service for Parents

($129/month, Yohana)
Chip in with friends or family toward this digital personal assistant service that was created by a mom to support other busy parents. They’ll do routine tasks, meal planning, manage doctor visits, schedule appointments, find gifts — whatever is on the to-do list so that new parents can, in fact, try to sleep when the baby sleeps.

Alternatively, consider a gift card from care.com toward expert caregiver help — a sleep training consultant, baby nurse, lactation consultant, even a new mom coach.

 

A Chinese Zodiac Birth Year Gift

Crinkle Wings Dragon Natural Teether | $25, Uncommon Goods
Chinese Year of the Dragon Necklace | $79, Peggy Li
Honor the baby’s Chinese zodiac sign with a cute teether for the baby, and maybe a sweet commemorative necklace for Mom — this one from CMP favorite artist Peggy Li donates 50% to support the AAPI community.

eCreamery New Baby Gourmet Ice Cream

($59.99/4 pints and up, eCreamery)
Order an entirely personalized pint right down to the name and label, or stick with one of the delicious new baby ice cream collections. Everything they make is delicious…and it goes fast. Ask us how we know.

A Custom Baby Board Book of Names and Faces

($39.99, Pinhole Press)
One of our longtime favorite mom-and-pop companies offers such unique baby phot gift ideas. Their customizable templates let you make a book about ABCs, colors, numbers, toys, or family members, all using favorite snapshots from your phone or camera.

 

A Baby Carrier Made Just for the Water

($175, Aquaroo)
This unique baby gift idea is so smart for parents who basically live at the pool or beach. And yes, it fits both moms and dads so everyone can keep the baby safe.

 

A Personalized Star Chart From Baby’s Birth Date

($33.99, Our Love Was Born)
Wow, we love this unique baby gift idea so much!

A Classic Baby Gift…With Some Edge

(Honest Baby Skull Patterned Muslin Swaddle Set, $24.99/2, Target)
If you’re that cool aunt, godmother, or friend, change up all the pink flowers and blue gingham with a unique baby gift that’s still practical…but just a little more modern. It’s pretty satisfying when a new parent opens your gift and says, “This is so you!” Or better yet, “This is so us!”

Owlet Smart Baby Monitor System Providing Live Health Readings

($269 with a discount on site, Owlet)
Some parents are more anxious than others and some babies have more needs than others. The Owlet is the smart baby monitor for healthy infants 0-18 months, that comes with a connected “Dream Sock” to provide real-time updates on pulse rate, 02 levels, sleep patterns, and more.

A Unique Milestone Blanket to Help Track the Months

Fleece Milestone Blanket | $29 on sale, Luka & Lilly on Amazon
Lots of styles to help capture the days, weeks, and months. Trust us — they get harder and harder to remember. Bonus: Each style comes with a cute matching bandana bib, and frames to mark the dates

Bonding Through Baby & Toddler TO DO Cards

($20, Uncommon Goods)
These imaginative card decks include 30 activities that help new parents and babies bond through sensory play that develops motor and language skills. Just pick any card at random and follow the instructions for lots of experience to remember.

 

A Unexpectedly Useful Stroller Accessory…Designed by a Mom

7 A.M. Enfant Warmmuffs | $48, Amazon
Mickey Mouse Stroller Hook | $19, Nordstrom
DreamBaby StrollAway Over-the-Door Stroller Hanger | $24.99, Amazon

New parents may know to register for the stroller, the umbrella, and the rain cover, but there’s so much more! For a unique baby gift idea, consider three of our team’s favorites — all of which happened to be designed by moms themselves. In fact, we own that StrollAway hanger, and promise it will grow with a family until one day it’s hanging a big kid scooter.

For more ideas like these, see our picks for the best practical baby gifts that are still pretty cool

 

Original Artwork for the Nursery

(Prices vary, Marisa Ann Cummings of Creative Thursday)
An original piece of art for the nursery is so thoughtful, and no other child will have the same one. This piece from wonderful artist Marisa Ann Cummings is one-of-a-kind, so if it’s gone there are more to choose from in her shop.

If you want to DIY, see more options in our list of The Best Handmade Baby Gift Ideas You Can DIY