Natural Jewelry

Everyone has been there: a family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker, or even casual acquaintance has a new child and the question of what type of gift to give arises. Whether it is the first child or the tenth, a newborn gift idea can be a tedious task, though with a little help from the following suggestions, it need not be a stressful endeavor.

These days, many new parents make the task simple by registering for the items they desire. This can take most if not all of the guesswork out of a newborn gift idea. Choosing from the registry is helpful to the new parents, as they will likely only register for items they truly want, and it is helpful to the gift giver, as it removes any doubt as to the need of the item in question. On the downside, gift registries can become depleted, especially if the couple has a great many friends and family members. Some registries may only list items that are outside of the gift giver's price range. In other cases, the person giving the gift may feel it is too impersonal to choose a gift from a list rather than from the heart.

If a registry item is not an option, for whatever reason, consider one of the following suggestion for a newborn gift idea:

• Care Basket
A long time staple of baby showers, the care basket is well received by parents old and new. Filling a reusable container, such as a vibrantly painted wooden crate, a plastic bath caddy, or an inexpensive straw tote with newborn necessities will come in handy to the parents and will show the thought and care placed into the gift. Items to consider include those that are highly consumable and those that are unlikely to be obtained via hand-me-downs from older siblings. These items include diaper rash creams, baby bath, wet wipes, teething rings, pacifiers, bibs, and packages of newborn onesies.

• Diapers
If you know for certain that the new parents plan on using disposable rather than cloth diapers, a package of diapers is a thoughtful and very practical gift. For an added touch of whimsy, you may decide to add a couple of air fresheners the present, and attach the card to the wrapped package with a clothespin.

• Food
Supplying the family with a prepared meal (or three) when they arrive home with their new child may be the best gift one can give. Odds are high that neither parent will be rested or motivated enough to cook meals in the days following the birth of a new child. It is a much needed and much appreciated gift to offer home cooked meals or even pizza delivery to the family. If you choose to go this route, make sure you offer well in advance of the child's birth, and when dropping off the food, it may be a nice gesture to offer to watch the new baby while the parents eat.

• Gift Card
Short on time or short on ideas, a gift card is a newborn gift idea that is welcomed by all.