The New Baby Gift Guide

A new baby is on the way, or has just arrived, and you want to send something that feels right. The choices range from soft bodysuit bouquets to cookie boxes to book and plush sets. This page helps you decide what suits the family, and whether the gift should be for the parents instead.

Start with the baby's needs: the all-round basket

A classic welcome basket is the safe, useful choice. These are described as loaded with baby "must haves", and they come in boy, girl and neutral versions. If you do not know the sex, or the parents are keeping it private, pick the ones simply called "Baby". They suit colleagues, extended family and anyone you want to be thoughtful without guessing.

Size matters here. The starter basket is the smallest step in, the medium sits in the middle, and the large is the fullest of the welcome range.

If you know the baby's sex and want a nod to it, the same welcome baskets come in boy and girl versions. The large ones greet the new arrival with the most in the box.

Want it to look like a gift? Try a bouquet

A baby bouquet swaps flowers for bodysuits, washcloths and socks, arranged in blue and white or pink and white. It looks like something to display, and the parents get things they will use. It suits a baby shower table, a hospital visit or a friend who likes a bit of charm.

Twins: two of everything

Twins call for a gift that acknowledges both babies. The twins bouquets hold two bouquets, one for each child. You can choose two boys, two girls, or a boy and a girl, and the colours change to match. It is a simple way to make sure neither baby is an afterthought.

When the parents deserve a gift too

New parents are often overlooked. If you already know the family has plenty for the baby, send something for the grown-ups. Two of the bouquets come with a bottle, Prosecco for the boy version and Prosecco Rosé for the girl version, so you congratulate Mom and Dad as well as welcoming the baby. A cookie box is another easy choice. It holds 12 cookies and a customized cookie announcing a boy or a girl, so it works for a visit, a party or a house full of guests.

Gifts that last: books, plush and play

If you want something the child can keep, look at the book and plush sets. Each pairs a well-known story with a soft toy. Corduroy comes with his book and bear accessories. Llama Llama Red Pajama includes the hardcover book, red footed pajamas and a plush llama. Pat the Bunny is the one you can pat, wear, play with and read about. For a baby who will grow into it, the developmental set is meant to carry on through many ages and stages, and the Radio Flyer wagon set is filled with things to play with.

How to choose

• Do you know the baby's sex? If not, choose a basket simply called "Baby".
• Is it for one baby or two? Twins have their own bouquets.
• Do the parents need something more than the baby does? Pick a bouquet with a bottle, or a cookie box.
• Do you want a keepsake? Choose a book and plush set, or the developmental set.
• How much do you want to send? The starter basket and cookie boxes are the lighter options, and the larger baskets and sets give you more.

Questions people ask

What if I do not know whether it is a boy or a girl?

Choose a basket named just "Baby". The book and plush sets are also not tied to a colour.

Can I send something for the parents rather than the baby?

Yes. The Prosecco bouquets and the cookie boxes are the ones that speak to the parents as well.

Which gift lasts longest?

A book and plush set is the most likely to be kept. A bouquet or basket is more about the things inside being used.

Is a bouquet a real bouquet?

No. The "flowers" are bodysuits, washcloths and socks, arranged to look like a bouquet.