Gifting 101: How to Select the Perfect Newborn Gift

Choosing the perfect newborn gifts for a friend or family member is an important and difficult decision. Whether you’ve been invited to a baby shower and you want to show up with a fun set of newborn toys or you are sending over a gift set to the proud mom and dad after the birth, making the right choice can be tough.

Oftentimes, a clothing gift for newborn babies will be one of the first outfits they wear, and it could be featured in pictures that the family will treasure for a lifetime. Perhaps your gift will become a cherished toy in the child’s upbringing, keeping him or her entertained for years. Regardless, you want to buy a gift that will knock the family’s socks off and let them know how much you care.

Why Newborn Gifts Are Important for Development

Even when they’re first born, babies are already learning about the world around them. They’re taking in all of the new sights, sounds, and textures for the first time, so although newborn baby toys might seem like they’re adorable and fun, these items are actually providing crucial information to help develop the babies’ senses. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 2 should avoid screens and all forms of electronic entertainment altogether, opting instead for hands-on toys that help encourage sensory growth and development. This important organization emphasizes that newborn toys should enable loving relationships that will help children use their imaginations without overstimulating them.

These kinds of toys and books also help build the connection between a child and his or her parents as they bond over these shared interactions. So, although our organic avocado rattle might seem like a sweet and simple choice when looking for newborn gift ideas, it’s actually encouraging that child’s brain development at the same time. We consider that a win-win!

What Kind of Newborn Baby Gifts Are There to Choose From?

Depending on your preference and your budget, you can choose from a wide variety of cute newborn gifts. We carry popular items like rattles and stuffed animals as well as apparel items like fun rompers or cotton newborn hats. Many of our clothes come with matching accessories as well, like the stars and stripes romper and matching bib.

For those gift-givers wanting to buy some fun, interactive toys, we have books that are appropriate for babies, many of which come with a matching blanket or stuffed animal so that the kids can enjoy their favorite characters long after the story is over. A perfect example of this is our New York baby gift set, which features a hardback copy of the children’s classic “This is New York” along with coordinating apple and yellow taxi rattle toys. It’s the quintessential gift for every New York baby!

Another great gift idea is an item that a family can display proudly in the nursery, like a handmade mobile or a large crochet rattle, which would look perfect on top of a dresser or changing table. For those who feel like they know the decor choice of the parents well, a classy framed print would be a fantastic, eye-catching gift to brighten up any nursery or playroom. Most parents can never have enough blankets, either, making those cozy swaddlers an essential gift for a new arrival.

Why Choose Organic Newborn Gifts?

When looking for unique babies' gift ideas, you want to choose the very best. That’s why organic materials are the way to go. The difference between organic cotton and regular cotton is the manufacturing process. The traditional process to create cotton uses multiple chemicals and toxins that remain on the fabric once it’s shipped out of the factory and into your home.

Therefore, when you’re giving non-organic newborn gifts for them to play with, you’re actually exposing the babies to all of those harmful materials in the process, and they’ll keep being exposed again each time they use their gift. Organic cotton uses a much more detailed system that even utilizes an organic seed, making sure that the gift you give is free of nasty chemicals and pesticides.

As if that isn’t bad enough, think about how soft and delicate a newborn’s skin is. It’s actually several times thinner than the skin of an adult, which is part of the reason why babies have so much trouble regulating their temperatures and staying warm when they’re little. This also means that newborns are much more sensitive to irritants and chemicals than you may be, which is why you want to make sure that everything that touches their skin is of the highest quality. Whether it’s a cozy blanket or a fun printed romper, choose organic materials if you want to give a thoughtful gift.

Finally, organically produced items are also better for the environment. Without harsh pesticides and toxins invading the soil, the plant is allowed to grow naturally. This lets the ground retain its natural nutrients, benefiting our environment. Organic farming as a whole tends to use less water and energy as well, making this a viable alternative to traditional harvesting methods. A healthy and sustainable planet might be the best gift of all!

How Can You Choose the Right Newborn Gift Sets?

Selecting the right gift set can be tricky! If you’ve never had a child of your own or it’s been a long time since your kids were babies, you may feel like you’re treading in unknown waters. You want to choose a gift that the parents will love, too, even though it’s supposed to be a gift for their child. There are a few ways to crack the gift-giving code, though. Think about the following items:

· Does either of the parents have a fun hobby or interest? If so, try to purchase a gift related to that. If dad is a sports buff, he’ll love to see his little one enjoy our popular first ball set or playing with their first football rattle.

· Does at least one of the parents have a quirky sense of humor? They’ll probably love seeing their newborn baby wearing a onesie with a cute saying or a fun graphic print. How about a pretzel onesie, anyone?

· Are they passionate about politics? We’ve got you covered with an “Elect Women” bear soother that will spark their activist sensibilities when they open it.

· Think about the professions of the parents. Are they pilots, police officers, or teachers? If so, it’s usually easy to find a related gift that will make them pleased as punch.

· Can they cook up a storm? If so, a food-related baby gift is sure to get plenty of laughs, like this avocado gift set made from organic cotton.

Even if you don’t have the answer to any of these questions, don’t worry! There are still plenty of great options available that will make a fantastic gift for anyone on your list. We recommend a soft, cozy blanket as one idea as babies get cold very easily and love to be wrapped up in something nice and warm. We also have several classic book sets that will help the parents bond with their little one while developing the baby’s language skills at the same time.

Other safe choices include a gender-neutral outfit, which is especially nice for parents who are keeping their baby’s gender a surprise until the birth. Animal motifs featuring whales and elephants are always excellent choices for this type of gift.

Finally, you absolutely can’t go wrong with a stuffed animal or soft lovey for a newborn. Seeing their little one bond with a beloved friend will delight every parent, and you can rest easy knowing that you’ve given a gift that both they and their baby will love. Better yet, giving a high-quality, organic gift will give you reassurance that the item will last for years to come, making it a treasured possession that the family will look upon with fondness every day.

Estella carries a wide range of unique newborn baby gift ideas that will delight all parents. Take a look through our products, many of which make the perfect gift sets for newborns, and feel confident that you are making the right choice when selecting a present.

We are a trusted newborn boutique with a large variety of items that are perfect for babies. We specialize in award-winning, handmade gifts that are crafted by skilled artisans. Our luxury items are all made from certified cotton, so you know that you’re ordering a quality item when you purchase from us. It’s our passion to find sustainable and environmentally friendly gifts that parents will love and that you’ll love to give. Shop Estella today for the perfect newborn baby gift.