Top Baby Shower Gift Ideas for Girls

Someone special in your life has found out she's expecting a baby girl and you're stuck on just what to buy. The good news is that finding the perfect baby shower gift isn't hard—even if the recipient already seems to have everything!

If the parents-to-be have a baby registry, finding a gift should be fairly straightforward. Otherwise, this list of baby shower gift ideas for a girl should get you off to a great start.

Girl-Specific Baby Shower Gifts

For expecting parents who have revealed they're having a girl, it can be nice to give them something overtly girly—especially if this is the first girl in the family after a long line of boys.

While the little one will obviously develop her own tastes over time, her parents might love something pretty—and practical—to celebrate the arrival of their bundle of joy. 

A note about adoptive babies: We're including gift ideas here for both newborn babies and tots in case the shower is for an adoptive child. Baby showers for adoptive parents are often held post-placement, so you can check the child’s clothing and shoe sizes with the parents before buying gifts.

Newborn Baby Gifts for Girls

• Pink, lilac, and white baby clothes and socks (newborn and 3-to-6-month-old sizes)
• Baby dresses
• Baby girl swaddle blanket
• Baby girl receiving blanket
• Baby girl burp cloths
• Baby girl hooded towel for bath time
• Soft elastic baby girl headbands
• Baby girl sun hat, cap, or beanie
• Baby girl disposable or cloth diapers (depending on the mother's preference)
• Girl-themed baby care gift set that includes accessories for bath time, a hairbrush with soft bristles, nail trimmers, etc.
• A monthly milestone blanket
• Crib sheets featuring girly colors or motifs (flowers, unicorns, mermaids, teddy bears, dolls, dolphins, etc.)
• A soft plush toy or doll
• A personalized nursery name sign
• Closet dividers in the same theme colors as the nursery

Older Baby and Toddler Baby Shower Gifts for Adoptive Daughters

• Toys based on a theme that the little girl likes (this could be the same as the theme for her adoption party decorations)
• Little girl board books
• A little girl training toothbrush
• A little girl feeding set
• Little girl clothes (check the size before purchasing)
• Little girl shoes (check the size before purchasing)
• A little girl hat
• Headbands, hair ties, hair ribbons, etc.
• A little girl hair-care set
• Little girl bath toys
• A personalized floral nursery sign or an inspirational sign like this "beautiful girl you can do amazing things" sign
• A personalized adoption day sign

Non-Gender-Specific Baby Shower Gifts

Realistically, most of the things new parents need aren't gender-specific. Aside from things like clothes and hair accessories, you'll be looking at practical items and things to make the new parents' lives a little bit easier.

Practical Baby Shower Gift Ideas

The best baby shower gifts are often items that are used day in and day out. Parents with a new baby can never have too many baby essentials! For all of these items, ask the parents which variety or brand they prefer in case they prefer baby goods that are fragrance-free, biodegradable, washable, etc.

• Wet wipes
• Butt paste
• Body wash
• Baby oil
• Coconut oil for cradle cap
• Baby laundry detergent
• Diapers (disposable or cloth - check first)
• Diaper baggies (disposable or washable - check first)

Mid-Range Practical Gifts

These are things that new parents often need but don’t necessarily need more than one. Important: Be sure to ask the parents about their preferences for items that are marked with an asterisk (*).

• A diaper bag for the new parents
• A diaper cake for the nursery
• A portable diaper change pad
• A baby first-aid kit
• A play mat
• Tummy-time toys
• A baby gym
• A mobile for the crib or carry basket
• A white-noise sound machine
• A wrap for babywearing, if the mother plans to carry her baby*
• Breastfeeding supplies, including nursing pads and nursing covers, if the mother plans to breastfeed*
• Bottle feeding supplies, including bottles, a bottle sterilization kit, baby bottle detergent, and the baby formula of the parents' choice if they plan to bottle feed*

Big-Ticket Practical Baby Gifts

Big-ticket baby shower gifts may be appropriate if you’re buying for your best friend’s baby, a granddaughter, or a niece. Always check with the parents-to-be before purchasing one of these items and preferably go shopping together.

• A stroller
• A change table
• A crib
• A crib mattress
• A side-sleeper
• A bassinet
• A rocking chair
• A high chair
• A convertible car seat (new and fully compliant with national laws)
• A booster seat for the dinner table and/or car (perfect for an adoption baby shower for a toddler)

Personalized Baby Shower Gifts

For a unique baby shower gift, consider something handmade or personalized. For example, some expecting grandmothers like to knit a special cardigan or plush toy for each grandchild. Alternatively, you might be skilled at embroidery and can embroider a pre-made blanket or towel.

To get your creative juices flowing, consider:

• A "Shhhh sleeping baby" custom wall sign for the front door (Pair this with a door silencer for a winning combination!)
• Handmade clothes
• A monogrammed pillow, towel, or blanket
• A handmade quilt
• A handmade plush toy or doll
• Handmade art to decorate the nursery

Nostalgic Baby Gifts

Memory books and frames can make a good baby shower gift for a family you don't know particularly well or if you want to give the expecting parents a surprise. You really can't go wrong with a beautiful frame or memory book to help the new parents capture the early weeks and months of their new child's life.

• A custom wood-framed photo of the expecting mother or the new parents with their baby girl
• A memory book to record the highlights of the first year of the baby's life (or toddler's life in the case of adoptive families adopting a toddler)
• A baby handprint and footprint frame
• A first-year photo frame with spaces for month-by-month pics
• A newborn or family photography session
• Handmade art for the new arrival

Service Gifts

The perfect gift for any new parent—no matter the age or gender of their new family member—is practical help during the first few weeks and months. While they adjust to their new roles and struggle to keep up with the day-to-day demands of their new little one, you can help to take a load off their shoulders with any of the following gifts.

• Do the laundry or give them a laundry service gift card.
• Clean the house or give them a housekeeping gift card.
• Bring meals or pay for meals delivered (even a single meal is great!).
• Babysit so that mom and dad can have a shower, get out of the house, or get some rest.
• Pay for a night nanny or night doula for one or more nights so that the new parents can catch up on sleep (this would mostly apply to parents of newborns).
• Drive older siblings to school and extracurriculars for a week.

Picking Out the Ultimate Baby Shower Gift

Whether you opt for unique baby shower gifts like personalized blankets, a gift box or gift basket brimming with baby essentials, or something the new parents can use to capture their first moments with their little girl, the best baby shower gifts will always be things that the expecting parents will appreciate and use.

Before you go shopping, or while you're at the store, be sure to check with the parents-to-be whether they already have the item you want to buy and whether they have any specific preferences, such as crib vs side sleeper, stroller vs wrap, bottle vs breast, or a specific brand of baby oil. Ultimately, helping out in the initial adjustment period is a gift that will always be useful and you’ll (hopefully) get to enjoy some precious baby cuddles while you’re there!