Practical Gifts 

What better way to tell your expectant mom that you love her and her little boy than to help her stock her nursery with a few practical (and adorable) baby shower gifts.

#1 Clothing 

You may not think babies need a variety of outfits. After all, it’s not like they need to dazzle guests with their sense of fashion (those chubby little cheeks are enough to elicit the desired Oohs and Aahs). However, babies are known for being…messy. Between spit-up and blowouts, having a dresser full of baby clothes will help ensure mom’s not spending hours in the laundry room. 

What are some essential items?

• Onesies – With a little boy that constantly needs diaper changes, a onesie makes dressing and undressing so much easier for your new mom. Plus, onesies come in a variety of cute colors and patterns. We love this adorable Bluebird Cotton Bodysuit that features original watercolor art of a bluebird—a symbol of happiness in classic literature.

You can also opt for onesies printed with silly or adorable phrases. This Bow Tie onesie is sure to evoke laughter, while this Mommy’s Little Man onesie can help out well-meaning strangers who aren’t sure of the little one’s gender (cause let’s be honest—sometimes, it’s hard to tell if a newborn baby is a baby boy or a baby girl). 

To help mom stay prepared well into the future, consider choosing onesies in various sizes. Babies grow rapidly, so mom may have to pull out those 3 to 6–month onesies sooner than she thinks! 

• A pair of booties – Secure and soft, a pair of booties will keep this little man’s tiny toes warm. If you really want to spoil him, look for a pair of booties made with organic GOTS certified cotton, like these Quilted Booties by Burt’s Bees.
• Swaddling blankets – You may not think of a swaddling blanket as a clothing item, but many infants wear them at bedtime to promote a sense of calmness. Being burritoed up in a swaddle reminds them of the cozy security they felt inside mom’s womb. 

As an added bonus, this sensation of security can encourage the baby to sleep longer. Babies need all the sleep they can get to grow, and mom needs sleep too, so help your mom-to-be and her baby catch up on those Zs with a swaddling blanket.

#2 Cashmere Blanket 

Practical baby shower gifts can be luxurious, too. You might think of cashmere as a treat reserved for adults, but it also provides comfort and softness for infants. Like other fine natural fibers, cashmere is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. Plus, a cashmere baby blanket is sure to keep the baby warm, whether he’s taking a ride around the neighborhood in his stroller or getting in some cuddle time with mom. 

Consider this elegant blue cashmere blanket from Maison Cashmere. To make the gift extra special and personal, you can even customize your cashmere blanket with the baby boy’s initials.

#3 DIY Gift Basket 

Here’s another unique baby shower gift. Start with a beautiful basket like this Crate and Barrel Floor Rope Basket. This way, the basket itself can be a practical addition to the nursery—every expectant mom can use more well-designed containers to store all her new baby supplies. 

Then, fill the basket with a variety of practical and enjoyable gifts. Some ideas include: 

• Diaper rash cream
• Nipple cream
• Infant shampoo
• Diapers (or even better, a diaper subscription)
• Cleaning supplies
• Babysitting coupons 
• Chocolate for mom (or her favorite snack)
• Spa gift card for mom

Because these gifts are small, you can wrap them individually in different shades of blue tissue paper for a beautiful presentation. If you want to veer away from classic boy gifts, try varying colors, such as browns, greens, and other earth tones. You can also experiment with different patterns. Little duckies, stripes, and polka dots are all joyful shapes to add to your gift wrapping. You can add other more sentimental items to make it a more personalized baby shower gift.

Play with different combinations of gifts and wrapping until you have a basket full of the best (and most beautifully-wrapped) surprises. The good thing about this gift suggestion is it can also be a baby shower gift for a girl.

Stimulating Gifts 

An infant’s environment significantly influences his brain development. This is because physical stimulation helps him form tiny electrical points of contact in the brain called synapses, which grow throughout the first year of an infant’s life. 

You can encourage this important infant stimulation by choosing gifts that pique his senses. Besides, all that eating and sleeping can get boring!

#4 Moving Nursery Decor 

Movement and different shapes are a great way to capture a baby’s attention. You don’t need to purchase anything too complicated—some of the most low-tech gifts are the most stimulating for babies. 

Take a look at the following: 

• Mobiles – Mobiles, like this solar system-themed mobile, are wonderful tools for infant stimulation that can hang above the crib or in the corner of the nursery. The movement of the mobile can add a new element to your baby’s environment that will mesmerize his curious mind and influence that important brain development. 
• Light projectors – A light that projects constellations onto the wall can help mom’s little man explore space from his crib or bassinet. If you want to truly embrace the space theme, present this gift alongside a space-inspired onesie.

#5 Toys with Texture 

Infants love to touch different surfaces and textures. Through touch, infants learn about the world around them. To keep the baby from touching intriguing items that should be kept off–limits (for instance, mom’s necklace), set him up with toys of various textures. 

These Baby Einstein Explore & Discover Soft Blocks are building blocks covered in multi-textured fabric and adorable animal images to encourage play, tactile stimulation, and learning. 

No matter what kind of toy you decide to give, think about how it could stimulate the little boy’s senses of touch, sight, and sound. 

#6 A Trip to the Zoo 

For a stimulating and unique gift that can enrich the baby’s learning experience right away, consider giving mom passes to your local zoo or petting zoo. Exploring an environment outside of the house will excite and stimulate the baby. 

Her little boy can coo and giggle at:

• Zebras
• Goats
• Horses
• Giraffes
• Cows

Not only will the trip be a great bonding opportunity for the new parents and their baby boy, but the little lad can also begin to learn about different animals. As far as stimulating gifts go, choosing this one would be a fantastic moooo-ve. 

Gifts For His Future 

Something that will grow or maintain value over time is a thoughtful and financially-savvy gift idea. A sterling silver coin engraved with the boy’s name can be a keepsake for generations to come or even jumpstart a savings account later. 

Take a look at a couple of other baby shower gift ideas that will serve the baby well into his future. 

#7 Sterling Silver Rattle 

This Sterling Silver Dumbbell Rattle by Scully and Scully is embellished with sweet teddy bears on each end, making it the perfect gift for a handsome little boy. Plus, the sound the rattle makes will stimulate his senses. You can even personalize this gift by having his initials or monogram engraved across the handle. 

It’s a family heirloom he can play with now and pass down to his own children later.

#8 Stocks or Bonds 

If you’re particularly savvy with finances, consider buying stocks or bonds in the little boy’s name. You can: 

• Consult with a financial advisor about the best stock options
• Purchase stocks in a company you or his family supports 
• Find a company based on the family name (How about some Samuel Adams stock for the newest addition to the Samuels Family?)

Seeing as this can be a more expensive gift, consider teaming up with other friends or family members to split the cost. While it’s not a toy he can play with now, his adult self is sure to think of some fun ways to spend the money that’s accrued. 

Choosing the perfect baby shower gift for a boy can be a heartwarming and fun process, especially when considering the joy these thoughtful gifts can bring to the new mom and her baby. Whether it’s practical items to make everyday life easier, stimulating toys to engage the newborn’s senses, or gifts that will grow in value for his future, these gift ideas ensure that your offering will be cherished and appreciated as they celebrate the arrival of their baby boy.