Though there are certainly enough trendy, new-fangled gifts to be had, don’t ignore the practical or traditional baby gifts. For people who start out weighing less than ten pounds, babies certainly require a lot of peripherals! If you don’t have the time or inclination to bone up on the latest, feel free to stick with some old standards.

Clothing

Babies are born in their birthday suits, which makes gifts of clothing among the most popular, enduring, and necessary gifts for the shower. Of course, as any parent knows a growing baby will need an unbelievable quantity of outfits.

Baby showers usually generate a number of outfits in infant sizes, but don’t hesitate to purchase garments in bigger sizes, even up to 24 months. Though it’s hard to imagine the little six-pound bundle wearing “gigantic” 24-month-size overalls, it will happen before you know it.

A baby layette is a popular clothing gift for a shower. A baby layette consists of:

• Five to ten onesies or baby T-shirts
• Five to eight baby footed sleepers or nightgowns
• One cold-weather sleeper (if necessary)
• Five to seven pairs of socks or booties
• Three to five soft cotton pants
• One or two newborn cotton hats (babies lose body heat through their head)
• One or two Kimono-style cotton jackets (babies need to keep warm)
• Three soft receiving blankets
• Six to ten burp cloths

Furniture

Baby furniture is usually a large-ticket item — new cribs start at about $300. It is not customary to receive a lot of furniture at a baby shower, but it is the perfect investment if you have a group pooling funds for a gift.

Obviously, you need to know if the new parents have basic nursery furniture before you rush out to purchase anything major. If you decide to make a furniture purchase, remember to check with the new parents about their style and needs, then be aware of the following:

• Where is it manufactured? Many countries have manufacturing and safety standards different from the United States. Make sure the materials and finishes are baby safe and nontoxic.

• When will you receive it? If the crib, rocker, dresser, and such are not in a local warehouse, how long will it take to get to you? What about back orders?

• How will Mommy get this gift home? Most retailers offer delivery service (sometimes at a nominal fee), but if you have it delivered to the shower location, can the belly-bursting mamma get that huge glider rocker in her car? You might consider presenting a framed photo of the gift to her at the shower, then arrange for delivery directly to her home some time after the shower.

Nursery Essentials

This is the standard equipment found in the modern nursery:

• Crib
• Changing table
• Dresser
• Rocking chair or glider
• Lamp
• Diaper pail
• Diaper caddy
• Nightlight
• Toy box
• Bookshelf
• Rug
• Music player
• Blinds (with baby safety precautions in place), curtains, or shades to darken room for naps

Toys for Tiny Tots

It will seem like a matter of minutes before tiny baby is ready to play. Infant toys, like rattles and cuddly soft dolls, will give way to play mats that will entertain baby and encourage leg and arm movement. When baby is sitting up, the play saucer will delight him and parents alike. Johnny Jump Ups, which suspend a sling seat from a doorway, can entertain even the most energetic of babies.

Many toys offer the added feature of music, which babies love — look for crib toys that play a lullaby and car-seat toys that sound like a brass band. And don’t forget educational toys for baby — even the tiniest ones can learn while listening to music, watching a video, or manipulating specially designed shapes that help develop coordination and motor skills.