How to Make a Good Baby Shower Gift List

The baby shower is an important moment during pregnancy. It’s time to gather loved ones together and celebrate the arrival of the baby. But making a baby shower gift list with truly useful presents is an important aspect of this event.

That wonderful feeling that the baby’s arrival is near! Planning the party starts with choosing a theme and then creating the baby shower gift list. You need to organize everything before sending out invites so you can suggest the ideal gift for each guest to bring.

You can make a simple or complete baby shower list, depending on what you already have for the baby and what you still plan to buy. If the baby has already received many items, the family may decide to have a diaper-only shower, as diapers are always essential.

Online Gift List

If you’re opting for a more complete list of gifts, you can make a list available online so that guests can choose what they’d like to buy. This is a great way to ask for gifts without having to stress over dividing items.

Baby Shower Without Excess

When making the baby shower gift list, avoid including expensive items or things that parents or family should provide, such as a stroller, car seat, or crib. Guests should bring useful gifts for the baby, but are not expected to cover the whole layette. If they wish to give such gifts of their own accord, that’s great, but these should not be included as suggested presents for the shower.

When requesting clothing, think about sizes and a reasonable quantity. Ideally, suggest sizes up to 9 months and always vary between summer, winter, and different sizes¹.

Making a baby shower diaper list is important to know what to ask from each guest. Some people prefer to ask only for diapers, distributed by size, while others request additional items such as clothes and pacifiers. The choice is up to the family.

Simple Baby Shower Diaper List

A simple list with only diapers can be divided by categories, for example:

How to Divide Diaper Sizes

Following this table, you can get an idea of how many packages will be needed over the first few years. You don’t need to ask guests to bring two packages of diapers each to have all you need. Keep in mind that guests want to help but are not obligated to provide every diaper needed.

The ideal is to make the diaper list to last at least through the baby’s first year. If you receive all the diapers you need until then as gifts, that’s a big help. The good part of this approach is that it makes things simpler for your guests. If you choose to ask for diapers only, there will always be someone who brings a little gift for the baby, and without any obligation—which is even nicer.

If you want, you can specify your preferred brand in the diaper list to avoid receiving something you don’t wish to use. Asking for baby wipes in this version is also helpful and is easy for guests to purchase.

Don’t overdo the number of packages, spread the requests across all sizes so there’s no risk of leftovers. It’s better to have to buy more than to be left with lots of extras that you won’t use, isn’t it?

Sample Baby Shower Gift List

A classic example to help you set up your baby shower list is to separate the gifts by category. For example:

Health

• Some packages of diapers;
• Baby wipes;
• Shampoo and liquid soap;

Bedding and bath

• Changing pad;
• Diaper bag;
• Stroller sheet;

Miscellaneous utensils

• Baby bottle;
• Pacifier;
• Bottle nipples;
• Bath toys;

Clothing

• Jumpsuit;
• Bodysuit;
• Blanket.

This type of list should be made thoughtfully, as some guests have more financial means than others. Be careful not to judge by appearances and make sure the cost for each guest does not go beyond the price of a pack of diapers. This way everyone can enjoy this special gathering without worrying about expenses.

Complete Baby Shower Gift List

For moms who are waiting until the party to complete their layette, it’s a good idea to use a very thorough baby shower list. Ask each guest to bring a package of diapers and an extra item.

This model includes all the essentials for both baby and mom. It is not a baby shower list to divide among guests, since it has expensive items like a stroller and car seat. This list is ideal for moms to use as inspiration when putting together the full layette.

Feeding

• Baby bottle
• Bottle brush
• Extra nipple for bottle
• Pacifier
• Baby bib
• Baby feeding plate
• Cutlery

Nursery

• Sheet set (3 to 4)
• Crib blanket (2)
• Blanket
• Burb cloths (6)

Hygiene

• Liquid soap
• Shampoo
• Cotton swabs
• Cotton balls
• Baby wipes
• Diaper rash cream
• Newborn disposable diapers (Check the table above for quantities)
• Small disposable diapers
• Medium disposable diapers
• Large disposable diapers
• Disposable diapers
• Cloth diapers
• Baby nail scissors
• Hooded towels
• Bath thermometer
• Bathtub stand
• Pacifier clip

Out and about

• Stroller
• Infant car seat
• Car seat
• Large and medium-sized bags

For mom

• Robe
• Nursing bra
• Nursing pads
• Nursing pillow
• Breast pump

Clothes

• Long-sleeve bodysuits S/M/L (several of each)
• Short-sleeve bodysuits S/M/L (several of each)
• Socks S/M/L
• Hats
• Mittens

Miscellaneous

• Teether
• Nebulizer
• Baby monitor
• Nasal aspirator
• Humidifier

Unnecessary Items

Review the basic items on your baby shower list and remove whatever you already have at home. There’s no need to ask for things you already have plenty of, especially since babies grow quickly and can outgrow many items.

Put together your baby shower list with care and divide the gifts fairly among the guests. Make your list available online so as presents are purchased, other guests will know and can choose from what’s left. Enjoy every moment and savor this unique and magical time in your family’s life! Happy celebrating!

See Also: Baby Layette – How to Save and What’s Useful