Why do
some baby gifts stand out from the crowd and others seem
to get lost in the recipient’s memory, never to be found
again?
Surprisingly, it has little to do with cost of the gift.
Rather, it’s the little, thoughtful touches that make
all the difference.
Some
tips:
*Add an
Element of Humor
You don’t
have to spend a lot of money to give baby gifts that are
memorable. Try putting together your own “Nursing
Survival Kit,” with breast pads, Lansinoh cream, frozen
peas (to ease nursing soreness), and a copy of “The
Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.”
* Put
Together a Creative Package
Create a
“Sleep Like a Baby” care package with a soft baby
blanket or lovey, a white noise CD (vacuum sounds are
great!) and a Miracle Blanket (for easy swaddling).
Or
transform a simple baby book into a “Remembering the
Moment” gift basket, by adding a copy of the local
newspaper from the day the baby was born, copies of
“Time” and “People” magazines from the week the baby was
born, a current postage stamp, and a sales flyer from
the local grocery store.
Twenty
years from now, the parents and grown child will have
fun looking back at everything from the price of a dozen
eggs to who the hot celebrities were back when junior
was a baby.
* Include
Everything the New Parents Will Need to Make It Work
Nobody
likes extra work. So do whatever you can do to make it
easy for the new parents to enjoy your gift.
For
example, if your gift requires batteries, include a
small package of batteries (the correct type, of
course,) with it. You don’t even need to give the whole
pack -- just the right amount for the item you’ve given.
You’d be amazed how grateful the new parents will be.
* Put it
Together For Them
This is
always a winning tip, because everyone likes to have the
hard work done for them.
However,
it’s a strategy that’s best used when you are absolutely
positive the new parents want what you’ve gotten them.
Remember, gifts that are put together aren’t so easily
returned. So do this when you’re buying something off
the registry or when the recipients have specifically
asked for what you’re giving them.
* Include
a Gift Receipt
They may
love what you’ve gotten, but they may have also gotten
two or three baby gifts just like it. Make it easy to
return yours, and they’ll be grateful.
* Include
Your Full Name and Address on the Card
After 36
hours of labor and two weeks of sleep deprivation, a new
mommy can’t be counted on to remember her own last name,
let alone yours. That’s true even if she’s your sister
or best friend. So make it easy for her by writing your
full name on the card. Including your address, too,
makes it easy for to write the thank-you note.
About
the Author: Stephanie Gallagher, aka, "The Shopping
Mom," is the author of four books, including The
Gallagher Guide to the Baby Years: The Real Moms' Survey
of Top-Rated Products and Advice. She is also
creator of The Shopping
Mom's Guide to Baby Gifts web site. Visit it
at
http://www.gifts-babies-love.com today!
