New babies are worth celebrating, and shopping for items to make mom and dad's life a little easier can be a lot of fun. However, with so many options available it can be difficult to pick something—those first year essentials include everything from bottles and burp cloths to strollers, car seats, and tiny little pacifier clips. But choosing the perfect baby shower gift doesn’t have to be complicated. If you're looking for a present for the mom-to-be that's practical, essential and memorable, consider buying a baby clothes gift set.
By assembling a gift set of stylish baby clothes, you can hand pick items that will be appreciated for their practical uses and adorable styles. Moms and dads can never get enough diapers and wipes, but there's something extra special about a gift that contains unique baby clothes that can be used to dress baby up for photo shoots, stroller walks, and at-home playdates.
But how do you assemble a baby clothes gift set? Here is a handy run down of the essentials, along with the fun add-ons so that you can be sure your gift is meaningful and memorable while also being practical.
Pick a Color Scheme for Your Baby Clothes Gift Set
Choosing a color scheme can be as easy as knowing the baby's gender. If it's a boy, you may want to choose items in hues that are traditionally more masculine, like shades of blue and green. For baby girls, consider items in shades of pink and purple. That said, gender rules don't apply as much as they used to, and babies will look adorable in all colors of the rainbow. If you're unsure about the baby's gender, you can never go wrong with clothing items in natural shades, or shades of gray, green, or ivory.
Related: 9 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Baby Gift Set
No matter what color scheme you choose, try to pick clothing items that coordinate with one another. That way, mom and dad can mix and match items from your tiny capsule wardrobe to dress the baby. This will provide multiple outfit combinations, and offer the chance to dress their baby up or down according to the weather and the planned activities. Furthermore, it will give your gift set a cohesive look, both in the box and in the closet.
Consider Which Sizes to Buy
Babies grow fast during their first year of life—so fast, in fact, that they usually double their birth weight by age one. Because of this, you'll want to create a baby clothes gift set with the baby's size in mind. Determine whether you want to purchase all the items in the same size to flesh out a wardrobe at one period of time, or whether you'd like to include pieces in a range of sizes, so he or she has an item to wear at each stage as they grow.
Related: A Quick Guide to Baby Clothing Sizes
Generally, newborn babies don't wear newborn sizes for long, and many babies skip that size altogether. If you purchase newborn pieces, it may be best to select only one or two. After newborn sized clothing, baby clothes sizes typically increase in three month increments, including 3, 6, 9, 12 months, and beyond.
Pay Attention to the Season
Consider roughly how old the baby will be when he or she grows into certain sizes, and take the time of year into consideration as well. For example, if the baby will be six months old in February, you may not want to buy her a sundress in a six month size. Instead, perhaps you should purchase the sundress in a size that she can comfortably wear during the summer months.
Sweaters and sleepers, on the other hand, can be purchased at any size. New parents will appreciate having warm layers to add when it's chilly outside, and you can never have enough of them.
Gather Different Pieces to Create an Entire Ensemble
Babies may be tiny, but they wear an impressive number of clothing items each day. That's because being a baby is a messy business! New parents will find themselves changing their baby’s clothes multiple times throughout the day. Another reason for the frequent costume changes is that babies are susceptible to temperature changes and it's always important to make sure they're comfortable in whatever clothes they're wearing. That means you may need to add layers or remove them as the day progresses.
When selecting items for your baby clothes gift set, it is a good idea to include a variety of unisex baby clothes in tasteful shades so mom and dad have plenty of options. Let's look at some of the best pieces to include in your gift set.
Bodysuits
The number of bodysuits a baby needs is always more than you expect and less than you have. Generally, the actual number depends on factors like how often the baby is changed, how quickly they grow, and how often mom and dad do laundry.
To make their lives easier, include a few bodysuits in different colors and patterns. Opt for at least one with short sleeves and one with long sleeves for colder evenings and brisk morning stroller walks. Bodysuits are essential pieces in a baby's wardrobe that can be mixed and matched with stretchy pants or worn alone to show off adorably pudgy thighs.
Hats
Babies don't typically have a lot of hair, so attentive parents like to have hats on hand to keep them comfortable. Some baby clothes come with matching hats, while others can be purchased separately. Consider selecting a few, including at least one neutral piece and a couple of irresistibly cute options, like a whimsical animal knit hat or a sunhat. That way, baby will have options that range from practical to stylishly adorable.
Sleepers
Baby sleepers are essential, but they don't have to be boring. Most parents have opinions about whether zippers or snaps are best, and they'll pick sleepers that have their favorite fastenings. Opt for a few of each, and aim for sleepers in an array of colors and patterns. It's also important to think about including different textures and weights and try to include these in your gift set, to make sure baby has options for both warm nights and chilly mornings.
Socks and Footwear
Baby feet are arguably their most charming feature, but they're notorious for getting cold—even when it's warm outside. Babies are also really good at removing socks and shoes, even in the earliest months. In fact, because socks are very easily misplaced, along with how easily they get dirty, some experts recommend having at least 10 pairs on hand. Multiples of the same design can also come in particularly handy for when lone socks go missing.
Socks are a great choice for babies when they're too tiny for shoes. Pick multipacks of socks in neutral shades to ensure they look great when paired with every ensemble.
When it comes to baby shoes, there are several rules. Babies learn to walk as they approach their first birthday so it's important for them to practice in supportive shoes. If you're including baby shoes in your baby clothes gift set, pick shoes that are:
- Soft
- Flexible
- Lightweight
- And have non-skid soles
Consider picking soft-soled Mary Janes, tiny sneakers, adorable sandals, or sweet little boat shoes to include in your gift set.
Statement Pieces
While sleepers and bodysuits are essential everyday wear, it's also an absolute joy to purchase statement pieces for babies. New parents will often spend holidays and special occasions showing off their newest addition so what better opportunity for baby to dress to impress? Tiny pink dresses with ruffles, sweet baby suit jackets, and miniature formal wear are absolutely adorable, and they're the perfect statement pieces for babies to wear as they meet everyone from doting aunts and uncles to mom's college roommate and dad's colleagues.
When it comes to statement pieces, these nonessential items aren't typically on mom and dad's radar. That's why it's so fun to include them in a baby clothes gift set. Playing dress up with a baby is fun—and showing them off is just as exciting. Besides, who doesn't love to see a baby dressed up in tiny formal wear?
Sweaters and Cardigans
There's nothing more adorable than a baby in a soft cardigan, and they're great to have on hand no matter the season. Purchase sweaters and cardigans in neutral hues, so mom or dad can pair them with the baby's ensemble as a warm afternoon turns into a chilly evening. They're also perfect for transporting a baby from the house to the car without the need to deal with heavy coats. Best of all, a sweet cardigan can elevate the baby's look to be special-occasion ready, whether a family birthday get together or a Sunday morning at church.
Headbands and Bows
Moms of girls everywhere will attest that you can never have enough bows and headbands. That's because baby girls with giant bows just look so quirky and cute! Pick a variety of hair accessories in different colors, sizes, and patterns, so mom can select the right one for each outfit. When in doubt, pick a bigger bow and buy them in a few colors.
Baby headbands come with stretchy elastic so they will fit most head sizes but make sure to double check the size before purchasing. Some headbands are sized for different ages and it's important to make sure the headband is the right size and made from the right material to be comfortable. If a headband is too small it can leave a red mark on the baby's soft skin so it is important to pick the right one.
Finish With a Few Personalized Baby Clothing Items
Personalized baby items aren't just wearable pieces—they're keepsakes that will be treasured for years. It's a great idea to include a few personalized items in your baby clothes gift set to elevate the present from a practical purchase to something that parents and baby will want to keep forever. By adding a monogram or the baby's initials to a plush blanket or cable knit cardigan, you'll be giving a gift that's not only adorable but also meaningful and memorable.