A matching pair of sneakers from their favorite startup
No, we're not lying... popular shoe startup Allbirds really calls their baby shoes "Smallbirds" and it's giving us cuteness overload. They come is sizes 5T to 10T.
A pillow spray to help them get a good night's sleep
When new parents finally get a chance to catch up on some rest, they'll love having a little something to help them fall into a deeper and more relaxed sleep. A lovely blend of lavender, chamomile, and vetivert gives this pillow spray its relaxing scent. One of our reporters swears by it for a better night's sleep.
A home cleaning service they can schedule through Amazon
You'll definitely want to coordinate with them beforehand, but there's nothing a new parent needs more than a chance to relax while someone else cleans their house. Though prices and availability vary by area, you should be able to book a cleaning professional to do any type of service around the home (including a deep clean) at around $20 per hour.
A gift card for a babysitting service
Give the gift of a night off with an UrbanSitter gift card. They can sift through over 150,000 trusted babysitters, read reviews, and see mutual connections to make a decision they're comfortable with. A $34.95 per-month pass (or an $99.95 annual membership) allows parents to browse, interview, and book a sitter that meets their needs.
A keepsake calendar filled with sweet photos
Surely they've posted or sent you enough photos to fill a 12-month calendar with sweet pictures of their baby. Turn those images into a real keepsake they'll use all year with this practical photo calendar.
A cozy and flexible baby sling
This sling makes hands-free carrying comfy for both baby and parent. It's a gift one of Business Insider's own gives to new moms after having used it with her kids from the time they were born until they were toddlers.
Crib sheets in cute prints
The internet's favorite adult bedding startup recently launched a line of sheets for little ones. They feature fun patterns and prints that evoke the same playful spirit as the rest of Brooklinen's options, and make for the perfect actually useful gift.
A custom birth announcement they'll cherish forever
You can't go wrong with a custom piece of artwork that honors both parents and baby. It even comes framed so it's ready to give as a gift they'll cherish (and probably hang in the nursery).
An Amazon Prime membership so they can order supplies
A membership to Prime opens up a whole world of convenience for new parents who would otherwise be completely overwhelmed by all those extra trips to Target and CVS. They can order whatever they need for the baby or themselves and have it delivered in two days (sometimes less) without having to leave the house.
You can also gift a full year for $119. If they already have a Prime membership, they'll be able to convert your gift to credit so they can spend the money on anything they need.
A cute pair of moccasins
Available in a huge selection of fun prints and vibrant colors, these adorable baby moccasins will definitely make an appearance on their Instagram. It may not be the most practical clothing gift you could give them, but it'll definitely be the cutest.
A portable gadget for fussy sleepers
Whether they're in the car, at home, or even out in public, a portable Baby Shusher (aka white noise machine) will help fussy babies fall asleep wherever they are.
A funny bib they'll get a kick out of
They've probably already received plenty of basic bibs from their registry or shower, but you might as well take the holidays as a chance to get them a fun one instead. Just be sure to have them send you photos of the baby's first masterpiece.
A swaddling blanket that transforms their baby into a burrito
Your eyes might be deceiving you — this is not, in fact, a baby wrapped in a real tortilla. It's a swaddling blanket that'll make their little bundle of joy look like a delicious and snuggable burrito.
A portable lounger that babies can't easily roll out of
Though it's a little pricey, new parents love this lounger that keeps babies feeling like they're being swaddled and comforted without the need for an actual swaddling blanket. It's also great for keeping them secure on the couch or bed so parents can have their hands free.
A parent friend also recommended this $30 Boppy pillow as a less expensive (and slightly more relaxed) alternative.
A custom storybook pillow
Not only can you customize the pillow with everything from the parents' names to the baby's skin color, you can also add your own "book review" to the back where you can share your excitement. This is truly a gift they'll never forget.
An essential supply they can never get enough of
It's not the most fun thing on the list, but it is the most important. Any time you're going to give a fun gift to new parents, consider also gifting some diapers along with it. They'll only appreciate the exciting gift more now that they don't have to worry about who's going to do the next run for diapers.
A hilarious pacifier
It doesn't matter the baby's gender — these silly pacifiers will give everyone a big giggle!
A meal kit delivery service so they can cook for themselves
Busy new parents don't often have the time to cook well for themselves. Blue Apron delivers pre-portioned ingredients right to their door with recipes for three easy-to-cook meals they can make at home. $60 will get them one week of meal kits, and you can gift in increments of $60 for additional boxes.
If you're not sure which service to order from, check out our guide to the best meal kit delivery services, which includes options for special diets.
A cleverly designed towel that quickly dries and comforts babies
Parachute's new line of baby sheets and towels is cuter than we could have imagined. As a gift, we love this all-over hooded towel for a quick yet cozy dry time.
An interactive play mat
Though the sounds may drive the parents crazy, baby won't be able to get enough of this interactive mat.
A portable way to secure babies to their seats
It won't elevate baby like a high chair, but this portable harness will prevent slipping and sliding off of restaurant seats.
A pregnancy journal to track progress and memories
If the new parents your gifting have just announced that they're expecting and don't yet have a baby to spoil, this journal is a perfect gift to help mom keep track of her experiences, emotions, and changes throughout her pregnancy.
A pacifier that won't keep falling to the ground
A pacifier attached to a beloved stuffed animal is less likely to fall to the ground a thousand times a day. Trust us — they'll be thanking you for this cute and clever gift.
A luxe bassinet that rocks crying babies to sleep
The SNOO is incredibly expensive — there's no getting around it. But if you have the budget, and your friends or family members have a fussy baby who doesn't sleep well, it might just be the greatest gift you can give them. It senses when babies are tense or squirmy and gently rocks them to sleep using motions that mimic a parent's gentle bouncing.