Baby Shower Gifts and Gifts for New Parents
The registry covers the basics. These are the gifts that make new parents feel seen. We've gathered our favorite baby shower gifts and presents for new moms and dads, from practical lifesavers and beautiful keepsakes to little luxuries for parents running on very little sleep.
The guides
Newest guide · April 16, 20262026 Mother's Day Gift Guide | 13 Gifts New Moms Will Actually Use and Love
Gift guideThe Best Baby Gifts: The Ultimate Guide to Shower New Parents With Love
Gift guideThe Best Baby Gifts for New Dads | Baby Shower Gift Guide
Gift guideThe Best Baby Gifts Under $15 | Baby Shower Gift Guide
Gift guideThe Best Feminist Baby Gifts | Baby Shower Gift Guide
Gift guideThe Best Practical Baby Gifts That Are Still Cool | Baby Shower Gift Guide
Gift guideFunny Baby Gifts That Keep Parents Laughing | Baby Shower Gift Guide
Gift guideThe Best Handmade Baby Gift Ideas You Can DIY | Baby Shower Gift Guide
Gift guideThe Best Personalized Baby Gifts | Baby Shower Gift Guide
Gift guideThe Best Baby Shower Gifts From $50 to $150 | Baby Shower Gift Guide
Gift guideUnique Baby Gift Ideas That Are Smart, Not Silly | Baby Shower Gift Guide
Frequently asked
How much should you spend on a baby shower gift?
It depends on your budget and your relationship to the parents-to-be. Many guests spend a moderate amount on a registry item, while close family and friends often give more or go in on a group gift. A thoughtful, useful gift beats a pricey one.
What is a good baby shower gift?
Start with the registry. Beyond that, practical lifesavers for the first months, a beautiful keepsake, or something just for the new parents (yes, them!) are always appreciated. See our baby shower and new parent picks.
What should I gift new parents?
Help and comfort go a long way: meal deliveries, a cozy treat for the parent, practical baby gear they'll actually use, or an offer of your time. New parents remember who showed up.
What should I write in a book for a baby shower gift?
A short personal note to the baby, maybe a wish for their future or why you love this book, plus the date. It turns a book into a keepsake.
Shop all picks
This guide contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission from some purchases to help support our team. All picks are determined editorially by our staff; there has been no compensation in exchange for our picks.
Bare Minimum Parenting (book) by James Breakwell
A humorous parenting book that makes a lighthearted, relatable gift for new or sleep-deprived parents.
From the guide
My Art Book — Board Book Trio (Phaidon)
A trio of small art-themed board books that are giftable for babies, toddlers, new parents, or anyone who enjoys compact art books.
From: 10 of my favorite holiday gifts from Oprah's favorite things list 2023: For men, women, kids and teens
Smart Head Impact Monitoring Cap for Kids
A wearable cap/helmet sensor that monitors impacts and alerts parents when a child experiences potentially dangerous hits—useful for safety-conscious families.
From: Should your kids be playing tackle football? 6 things that happened when this mom said no. | Thinking Parent
Raising Kids to Thrive by Dr. Ken Ginsburg (book)
A practical, science-based guide on helping teens build resilience—good as a thoughtful gift for parents of adolescents.
From the guide
DIY Sparkler Holder Tutorial (Printable/Online Craft)
A simple step-by-step tutorial for making a kid-safe sparkler holder from a plastic cup — great for parents who want a low-cost, safer way for kids to enjoy sparklers.
From: Enjoy safer sparklers with 6 fun Fourth of July crafts for kids
Plum Print Artwork Photo Book Service
A service that ships, photographs, and turns children's artwork — including select 3D pieces — into professionally bound photo books.
From: 12 creative ways to display kids' artwork, from DIYs to clutter-saving services
Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder (Picture Book)
A bright, inclusive picture book celebrating diverse bodies — a thoughtful gift for young children and families to support body-positive conversations.
From the guideDriveSafe.ly mobile app (BlackBerry & Android)
A smartphone app that reads texts and emails aloud and lets you set auto-responses—useful for safer driving and hands-free phone use.
From: DriveSafe.ly keeps your hands on the wheel, where they belong
Total180
A lifestyle magazine for women transitioning from careers to stay-at-home motherhood—good as a thoughtful gift to support and inspire new moms.
From the guide
New Mom Gift Set (Pottery Barn Kids curated)
Curated gift set including a children’s book and a keepsake frame—thoughtful for a new mom to celebrate early motherhood.
From: 16 special Mother's Day gifts from the kids this year: Gifts to make, gifts to buy, gifts to mail
FATHER FIGURE: How to Be a Feminist Dad (book)
A thoughtful parenting book offering insights for dads who want an equitable, modern approach to fatherhood—good as a gift for new or expectant fathers.
From: The best new parent advice from 9 of the smartest, most insightful parent bloggers we know
PlanToys Wooden High Chair
A minimalist, all-wood high chair with integrated matching straps and no plastic—stylish and sustainable for a holiday gift for eco-conscious parents.
From: 3 wooden high chairs so gorgeous you'll actually want them at your holiday tableZenimal Screen-Free Meditation Device for Kids
A small, screen-free audio device that plays guided meditations and mindfulness exercises for children ages ~5–12 — a convenient gift to help kids calm anxiety and build bedtime or relaxation routines.
From the guideZenimal Additional Memory Cards (Meditation & Sleep Themes)
Add-on memory cards that expand a Zenimal device with more meditations, sleep music, and themed audio content — an easy stocking-stuffer or add-on gift for kids who already have the device.
From the guidePeace Out: Mindfulness Stories for Kids (Podcast)
Short guided stories and relaxation exercises designed for young children to wind down and manage worries, making it a thoughtful low-effort gift for anxious kids.
From the guideHeadspace Student Annual Plan
A deeply discounted annual Headspace subscription for college students that unlocks the app’s full meditation, sleep, and wellness library.
From the guideCalm Premium Subscription
A Calm app subscription available to students at a reduced rate to access guided meditations, sleep stories, and stress-management tools.
From the guideCalm Premium — 3‑Month Free Trial via Amazon Prime Student
A three-month free Calm Premium trial for U.S. Amazon Prime Student members that then auto-renews at the student rate while enrolled.
From the guideComfy Wrap Bluetooth Sleep Headband
Soft headband with built-in Bluetooth speakers designed for comfortable listening while sleeping or relaxing.
From the guideOne Good Thing a Day: A beautiful easy exercise to help get you through these crazy days
Subscription-based meditation, sleep, and relaxation app—good gift for someone wanting stress relief and better sleep routines.
From the guide9 creative, healing, self-care gifts that go beyond bath salts and chocolate
App that analyzes sleep patterns and wakes users at optimal times—useful gift for improving sleep quality and morning routines.
From the guide
5 Little Monkeys Organic Kids Mattress
An organic mattress-in-a-box designed specifically for children—breathable, non-toxic, and sized for kid beds, making it a thoughtful sleep-focused gift for parents and kids.
From: The organic kids' mattress-in-a-box that can actually help them sleep better
Kid-O Portable Bunk Bed (Cam-O-Cot)
Compact, portable bunk bed system that provides two sleep surfaces for older children while saving space in a hotel room.
From: 7 smart tips for staying in a hotel with toddlers. (Real tips, not those ridiculous TikTok hacks)
Cooling Bed Sheets
Breathable, cooling bed sheets to help with hot dorm rooms and improve sleep comfort.
From: Our ultimate high school graduation gift guide