At some point, you’ll probably be invited to a baby shower. If you’re not a parent already, choosing a baby gift may be somewhat of a challenge. What new items will a new baby – and the parents – need? Generally, as a rule of thumb for baby gifts, practical items always trump anything fancy. Larger items, such as strollers and play pens, are always acceptable, but check with the parents first. Toys and baby clothing are the most common, and many options exist for these. Which ones would be good as a baby gift?

For toys, going for educational or stimulation items is always best instead of a random stuffed animal, and make sure the toy is one that can be used for several months. Clothing, on the other hand, is more difficult to choose from. Although many dresses and nice shoes may make a good novelty present, the new parents will need many basic baby clothes, such as onesies, t-shirts, and pants. Sizing often runs in zero to six months and six to 12 months and either one is acceptable, as parents as a growing baby will be using a combination of these pieces during the first year. Most clothing comes in pink or blue options for girls and boys, and green or yellow is appropriate if you’re not sure of the baby’s sex.

Some variations on these basics are personalized gifts and gift baskets. Both of these stay within the realm of practicality but add something unique and special to the present. Nearly any piece of clothing or toy can have a name or initials added through embroidery, silk screening, or imprinting. Gift baskets, on the other hand, contain a combination of practical baby items, such as clothing and basic toys. These, too, come in pink or blue color schemes and unisex options.