Best Baby Shower Gifts

At the end of World War II, after many of the service men returned home, there was a sudden and dramatic increase in the number of pregnant women. As the American economy sputtered along in the aftermath of the war, couples began to bemoan the cost of bringing a child into post World War II America. Thus, small groups of women began getting together in order to shower the expecting mother with gifts. In addition to the gifts, ladies who already had children doled out advice to the mother-to-be about child rearing and what to expect when giving birth.

Contemporary baby showers revolve around the same basic premise of gifts and advice, but nowadays it is not uncommon to see fathers in attendance and for the baby shower invitations to be sent out via e-mail. Coincidentally, diapers are still the gift at the top of the list for most expecting mothers. While the basic idea behind a baby shower has remained the same, the types of gifts have changed slightly. One of the newest gift ideas is that of the diaper cake.

A classic example of a diaper cake is the four tiered Girlie Garden Diaper Cake that is sold by Rattlecake, Inc. The "ingredients" in this cake include 135 Pampers Swaddlers (Size 1), 4 Carter's Flannel Receiving blankets, 4 Garden Bath squirtees, a Garden Watering can, 5 colorful washcloths, a cute Terry Baby Bib (styles vary), a Bright Starts Rattle, two Heart teethers, a Bright Starts Flower Water Teether and some Johnson's Baby Care products. These items are all things that most mothers will need after giving birth.

Practical presents are some of the best baby shower gifts parents can receive. Given the totality of expecting a first child, most parents are grateful for not only gifts but also advice, support and a few laughs. The best way to be supportive of first time parents is to give them a tangible gift but also share one's parenting experience.

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