What's an appropriate baby shower gift?

Use the registry if there is one. Parents-to-be build registries because they actually want those items. Going off-registry to give something you think is more thoughtful frequently misses — they've thought about this more than you have.

If there's no registry, lean practical. $40–100 covers most baby shower gifts, and the strongest options are consumable or replenishable: nappies in size 1–2, baby skincare from a quality brand (Aveeno, Mustela), muslin wraps, baby washcloths, or a Boody/Bonds gift card for clothing as the baby grows.

Practical gear top-ups also work well: a Tommee Tippee bottle set, a quality pacifier set, a baby thermometer, or a meaningful book ('Hairy Maclary', 'Where the Wild Things Are', 'Goodnight Moon').

What to avoid: clothing in 0–3 month sizes (parents are drowning in these and the baby grows out fast), decorative nursery items in colours that may not match the room, anything requiring assembly, or anything that needs the parents to register a warranty.

Group gifts unlock real options: a quality pram, a top-end baby carrier, or a set of items from the registry that no one individual would buy alone.

A gift for the parents — a meal delivery service voucher, a coffee subscription, a dinner cooked and dropped off in the first week home — often lands better than another baby item. The parents are the ones doing the work.