Practical vs. Keepsake: Choosing a Baby Shower Gift Set
You’ve been invited to a baby shower, and now you’re trying to figure out the gift. Do you go practical and get the parents diapers, bibs, and wipes, or do you go sentimental and get them stuffed animals, photo books, and the like? Truthfully, every single baby gift has some practical function; it just varies in degree. Even the most ridiculous stuffed animal can be a child’s favorite calming companion, and every parent can vouch for that value.
But there’s still a distinction to be made between function and just plain fun when it comes to baby gifts, and we’re here to help you give the best present. Read on as we explore how to balance practical and keepsake items by choosing a baby shower gift set.
The Case for the Practical Gift
New parents face an avalanche of expenses and logistical hurdles. Suddenly, they need specialized gear, endless supplies, safety equipment, and a new wardrobe every three months. That’s why practical gifts feel like a lifeline. When you give something that is strictly useful, you are essentially giving the parents the gift of money or time.
However, practical gifts have a downside: They don’t feel super special. Watching an expectant mother unwrap a box of breast milk storage bags does not exactly elicit oohs and ahhs from the room.
Additionally, practical items are often disposable. Diapers, wipes, lotions, and soaps disappear after use, leaving nothing worth keeping behind to remember the gift giver by.
If you decide to go the practical route, you should try to elevate the presentation. You might create a diaper “cake,” arrange toiletries in a reusable basket, pair the boring items with a small toy, or include a heartfelt handwritten card.
The Case for the Keepsake
On the other end of the spectrum is the keepsake. This category includes those mostly decorative or minimally functional items. For example, silver rattles, porcelain figurines, embroidered blankets, and elaborate picture frames could all be considered keepsakes. Sentiment drives this purchase entirely, since the goal is to give something that the child will still have in 20 years.
But keepsakes have their own pitfalls. If you choose poorly, you are simply giving the parents clutter. A porcelain figurine might look cute, but it might sit on a shelf collecting dust until a toddler inevitably knocks it over. Furthermore, keepsakes often lack immediate utility. A silver spoon is beautiful, but it does not help a crying baby at three in the morning.
Why You Should Choose Both
Fortunately, you usually do not have to pick a side. The most successful gifts balance practical and keepsake items, bridging the gap between “I need this” and “I love this.” This is where baby shower gift sets enter the picture.
A well-curated set combines the best of both worlds by packaging useful items alongside sentimental treasures.
What to Look for in a Baby Shower Gift Set
So you want to buy a gift set to give the best of both worlds. But you also want to avoid the pre-packaged baskets at big-box stores that look impressive but contain low-quality fillers. Instead, you should focus on four key elements: quality, theme, presentation, and usability.
Quality
Babies have sensitive skin. Therefore, the fabrics in your gift set must be exceptionally soft. Scratchy lace or stiff polyester will result in a baby who cries and a parent who never puts that outfit on their child again. Look for sets that feature soft velour, breathable cotton, silky satin, and faux fur.
At Bunnies By the Bay, we pride ourselves on the heavenly texture of our textiles. Our Baby & Kiddo gift sets, for instance, feature ultra-soft materials that are designed for snuggling. When a parent touches a blanket or a plush toy from one of these sets, they immediately understand that it is a premium item.
A Theme
A great gift set feels like a complete thought. It should not look like you grabbed a bunch of random items off the shelf and threw them in a bag. A consistent theme ties everything together, whether through a color palette, a specific character, or a motif.
For example, our Sleepy Time sets create a narrative around the ritual of going to bed. It includes a blanket, a book about sleeping, and a matching plush. This tells a story, and it helps the parents visualize their future life with their little one.
Nice Presentation
A great gift can feel even more special if the presentation is nice. This is especially true at a baby shower, where the parents are unwrapping many gifts at once. An elevated unboxing experience will make your gift stand out and feel extra special.
So when you shop for gift sets, scrutinize the packaging details. Does it come in a reusable box? Is there tissue paper? Is there a ribbon? At Bunnies By the Bay, we ship our gift sets in a signature gift box, complete with carrot tissue paper, a logo sticker, and a carrot logo ribbon. This level of detail saves you the hassle of wrapping and guarantees the gift looks stunning on the display table.
Usability and Longevity
Finally, ask yourself if the items will actually get used. A set containing a newborn-sized onesie, a rattle, a bib, and a hat is highly functional. The baby will likely use all of those items within the first few months.
And if the basket is on the more sentimental side of things, make sure the items have some level of practical purpose. Avoid trinkets that will sit on a shelf. Instead, get plushies, cute blankets, durable books, high-quality mobiles, and so forth. These gifts are immediately useful to parents but can also eventually become treasured keepsakes from the child’s early years.
Wrapping Up
Ultimately, the best gift is one that comes from a place of love. However, a little strategy helps that love land in the best way possible. By choosing a gift set, you remove the guesswork. You avoid the risk of buying something boring or useless.
Visit the collection at Bunnies By the Bay today to find the bundle that perfectly expresses your excitement for the new little life entering the world.