Gift ideas for a baby shower

Baby showers are growing more and more popular.

When I had my first child, just over 8 years ago and my second one 6 years ago, nobody that I knew had ever had a baby shower.

Maybe if you were a celebrity mum, a yummy mummy from a trendy postcode and in keeping with the trends in the US, you would probably have had the pleasure of being showered with lovely gifts for your baby soon to come. Back then, most people in this country didn’t.

When I had my third baby, just over 2 years ago, I was surprised by a dear friend with a (surprise) baby shower, and since then, everyone I know who is having a baby is having one. Baby showers are mainly an American tradition, you might like them or not, but I am sure most mummies-to-be would be over the moon if someone organised one for them…

They are normally organised by a friend, are mainly a female-only affair and take place about 4-6 weeks before the baby is due (although for the last one I organised, baby came the following day!).

The occasion is a good one to spoil the mum-to-be, eat lots of cakes, have some fun with friends playing silly games and give lots of cute baby gifts. Games are a good way to get everyone in the mood and get the mum-to-be to relax. Ideas include guess the baby’s weight, guess the size of the bump, divide the guests in teams and organise a baby themed quiz, guess whose is the baby from celebrity pictures, blindfolded nappy changing, etc… In terms of gifts, I am always a big fan of quality over quantity. And a good balance between useful and cute, ideally both.At The Little Lavender Tree (www.thelittlelavendertree.co.uk) we have a vast range of gifts for babies that are of the highest quality, organic or fair trade whenever possible, cute or cool, useful or playful, but always different from what you can normally get on the high street.

We have looked far and wide for the best selection of baby gifts and, best of all, we gift wrap them for free, handwrite your message and send them directly to the recipient.
We can always put together presentation boxes with the best selection of gifts, using one of our quality keepsake boxes and lovely ribbons.

Here are some ideas we love, well under £50:
– Understated and elegant: a gorgeous swaddle in merino wool from Merino Kids. The best material you can swaddle your baby in and keep their temperature not too hot, not too cold, just right.
Add a designer rattle from Esthex, originally designed in the Netherlands, to keep baby company.

    

– Cute: Anything from The Rufus collection: the organic babygro and hat set combined with one of the gorgeous rattles and the cutlery set, the plush toy combined with the melamine set… We just love them all!

     

– Practical and useful: An animal-shaped bath towel (it is very big, so can be used for toddler years as well), a pack of 3 cute dribble cloths and a set of 6 pairs of socks.
Everything will be used over and over again!

     

– Nautical: Organic stripy playsuit, matching bandana bib and boat-themed baby shoes. Trendy and cool!

     

Of course, you can always opt for a traditional box of cupcakes… this time with a twist..

This gorgeous box contains 4 beautiful short-sleeved bodysuits, presented in a pretty spotted cake box in the shape of 4 yummy cupcakes.

Made from 100% cotton, each bodysuit is encased in its own cupcake wrapper and topped with a flower.

Available in pink, blue or lemon.

Or another option is these 6 pairs of socks presented in a pretty spotted cake box in the shape of yummy cupcakes.

Made from 100% cotton, each pair of socks is encased in its own cupcake wrapper and topped with a silver flower.

And don’t forget the older siblings! We love the Bobo friends, 3-in-1 backpack, pillow and blanket. Perfect for those long journeys, for nursery or school or a sleepover!