What makes a baby gift great? After just having had a beautiful baby shower thrown for our third daughter, here are some first-hand feelings about the most exciting gifts! So next time you are on the prowl for the perfect gift that doesn’t just get lost in the pile, search out these characteristics:

1. CUTENESS: Baby showers are known for ladies cooing “oohs and ahhs” over the adorable cuteness of tiny clothes and shoes. If you are the one gifting the butt ruffles and itty bitty bathing suit, you are sure to gain some rave reviews!

2. UNIQUENESS: Moms new and old are busy building a functional nursery and environment for baby so they don’t always have time to search for unique new baby items… you know, the ones that make you ask “why didn’t anyone come up with this sooner?” Items like the WubbaNub pacifiers and Wear a Pear Shoe Snaps just make sense!

3. EDUCATIONAL (but not battery operated): Every Mommy secretly hopes that their baby will excel above the rest in school and life, so search for more than another toy for the toy chest. Find colorful blocks or books that really help with growing baby’s mind in a tactile, verbal or visual way.

4. ORGANIC: They are more expensive for sure, but opt for blankets, toys, and lovies that are free from any potentially harmful chemicals. It is a growing concern to keep babies chemical free for as long as we can as they go from the womb to a world full of toxins.

5. ON THE LIST: When all else fails, stick to the registry! Trust that the parents know what they need and will be grateful for having to buy one less item of “necessity.” If you do focus on registry items, it is always fun to add a small surprise in the package, or tied to the top of the wrapping (like hairbows or shoe snaps…hint, hint).

***Oh yes, and don’t forget the gift receipt just in case of duplicates or size concerns!!