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The best gifts a new mother can have are love and support, and I base my choices on these two concepts.

Baby Shower Gifts

The baby shower is probably the first time that anyone other than the father has officially celebrated the forthcoming birth, and the sex of the baby may not yet be disclosed. The gifts should therefore be of a more general nature to support the new mother.

She will need
Baby clothes
New born sizes are cute but it more practical to give one of each size for the next six months. Check with her other friends and co-ordinate your gifts. Buy moderately priced, good quality items. Avoid designer clothes. They need to be washed often and the new mum may not like your choice.
Baby cots and buggies
You can buy an item of linen or get together with a few more of her friends and buy the cot or the buggy. If that is too costly, she would appreciate a voucher for the baby store so that she can choose something herself.
Toiletries
Stick to the essentials. Good soft towels and wash clothes, hair brush and comb, baby soap, body lotion and shampoo. All of these can be purchased in attractive gift packs, some of which are also nursery baskets. You can spend as little or as much as you like on these, but again practicality is the key word.
Mums the word
Don't forget the new mum. She will like some pampering herself. Consider a pretty new nightdress for her confinement, a voucher for an aromatherapy foot massage heaven: or a good book.

After the baby is born, you will know whether it is a girl or a boy, and your gift will be given with love.

Unique Gifts.

For Girls
1. My granddaughter was born at the Millennium so I bought her a gold bracelet commemorating the event engraved with her name and date of birth. You could have a piece of jewellery made such an engraved locket.
2. Buy a proof set of the coins issued in the year of her birth.
3. Try sourcing an antique child's book for her to keep as an investment.
4. You can get a teddy bear made to your specifications just for your little girl.
For Boys.
1. I bought my grandson a silver friendship cup that is a replica of a Jacobean design. Look for an item to commemorate a special event.
2. You can have a poem written for him and presented on a scroll.
3. Buy something issued in his year of birth for him to keep. For example, a limited edition watch.

New Baby Gifts.

These are probably the easiest to find.
1. You can stick with baby clothes and now that you know the sex of the baby, you can be more selective. Choose from practical every-day wear to going- out clothes. There is a wide range to suit your budget. For something special, look for French designs.
2. Look for nursery items, like the baby's initials in either a soft fabric or carved in wood. Character rugs and cushions and lamps look good, and you can find out the theme of the nursery and buy then to match.
3. A money box is a good gift and will be appreciated when the baby gets older. Buy one that isn't likely to break unless Mummy is going to put it where little hands can't reach it.
4. Photo frames are useful for the new baby photos or perhaps a photo album.
5. Then there are toys. Baby will need comforters so look for a mobile for over his cot, a cuddly toy, or soothers. Beanie dolls filled with lavender scented wheat are good for helping the baby to get off to sleep. They can be heated to help with colic too.

Personalised Gifts.

Many of the gifts mentioned above can be engraved or embroidered with the baby's name, but if you want your gift to be exclusive to that baby, you can buy a bond or open a savings account for the baby.

Whatever you buy the new mum for her baby, don't forget the card. It will be treasured and put away for the baby to have when it is grown up.

Learn more about this author, Dorothy Skinner.
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