Looking for Unique Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Hi E.,
A couple of unique gifts I received my shower was a piggy bank full of change for the baby that amounted to $20. The other unique gift was a laundry basket with diapers, dreft, Johnson and Johnson gift set, onesies, and receiving blankets. The laundry basket was covered with a very pretty blanket. Even though I appreciated all of my gifts those were my favorites.

One thing that I thought was a really cool gift at a shower I went to, and now would almost be a good time to do it too!
The gift was a stocking that said "baby's first christmas" then there was a christmas bottle, cmas bib, cmas ornamnet and christmas outfit. I thought that was pretty neat!

E.,

I have always liked to do something different, so I've either gotten a regular gift off the registry along with making one of those no-sew fleece blankets for the baby (those are a hit with everyone I've given one to). Or sometimes I've done a poem with gifts. Kind of cheesy, but sometimes I'll do a registry gift with it as well. This is just to be different. See poem below:

What to Expect the First Year (The Shower Gift Poem)

Here are some ideas for the [Parents (magazine)] - to – be
The [formula] for nurturing your sweet new baby
The [light (night light)] of your lives, your baby's nearly here
Soon you both* can [Snuggle (fabric softener)] and hold your baby near
Those first sweet cries will be [music (cassette tape of lullabyes)] to your ears
Hold your wee one close, tell your baby ["No More Tears" (Johnson's Baby Shampoo)]
To [bond (Gold Bond baby powder)] with your new baby, every day and every night
The [keys (baby teething keys)] are love and kindness, soft touches are just right
You can [Pamper (Pampers diapers)] your new bundle, who needs to feel secure
Your little [lamb (stuffed animal)] will love you, of that you can be sure
As the [apple (jar of baby food)] of your eyes, your baby can be free
To learn about the world in a bright safe [nurser (Playtex nurser)]-y
Please try not to [Shout (stain remover)] if your baby makes a fuss
It's your [Child (magazine)]'s way of learning to be like the rest of us
We hope you have enjoyed these [tips (Q-tips)] for family
We're certain that parenthood will suit you to a [tee (t-shirt)].

Good luck and have a great time at the shower!

After my first child, I started giving a very practical gift that usually comes with nods of approval from other Moms.

Fill it with Batteries of all types and sizes (everything a baby uses needs those). Grab a few disposable cameras to keep in cars (when you forget your own). Add some other "stash for when you need it" like cloth diapers for spit-up and extra "on the go things"

I think that a very cool and unique gift is the diaper cake. You use baby diapers and arrange them to look like a cake. Some people put baby items in it also like a rattle, spoons, washclothes, or other small toys, ect. If you put it together right and add a little ribbon, it is a very cute gift. You can see some examples at www.babyshowerstuff.com. I have made one before and you could definately DIY to save LOTS of money.

How about a gift certificate to a portrait studio?

My favorite, most unique, shower gift was a Christmas ornament for my son. I loved it and it's something we will use every year.

Hi E.! A local business called MomsMark is owned by a labor and delivery nurse. They sell a Labor and Delivery Survival Kit which is everything mom could need during her labor and delivery exerience (massager, backup camera, lip balm, cozy footies, hair ties, hand sanitzer, etc.) all wrapped up in a cute tote. It also includes delivery recovery tips. It is the perfect gift for the mom-to-be! They don't advertise it on their website, yet but to find out more about them visit www.momsmark.com or call ###-###-#### to order one. They are delivered in a lovely fabric photo box. MomsMark is a great resource for moms. Check it out!

One of the most unique/unusual gifts I got at my baby shower was gift certificates to Cafe Courier! As first time parents with sleep deprivation, we thoroughly enjoyed being able to have a nice, warm dinner delivered right to our door.

There are several good ideas I saw already posted.

I usually get a few small things that nobody thinks to give - Mylicon, Bag Balm, baby wash, wipes, and then I'll get them a $35-50 gift card to babys-r-us or wherever they're registered.

Oh - we also usually give people a "Dr. Brown's" bottle too. They're the only bottles our two daughters would drink from - they had less gass, never got colicky. I think Avent now has bottles with a valve in them too.

For what it's worth...

I just saw in a magazine that you can take baby socks and onsies and I think baby bibs? and make them look like flowers (roses) and put them in a basket.
I can't remember what magazine I found it in.
I think I might have it up-stairs...I'll go look and if I find it I'll write back :)

I'm back and I found my magazine it was in Woman's World for September 15, 2008 page 39. Here's what it says:
(Impress guests and thrill the mom-to-be with a basket full of "roses" made of rolled-up baby necessities! If you're not planning a gift this big you can use a smaller basket, fewer roses, and fill in spaces with more leaves. It will still be wow-worthy!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
*Plaid FolkArt acrylic paint in Wicker White and Spring Green.
*Paintbrush
*Mini apple basket about 8" wide
*1 package 1/8"x12" dowels
*7 7/8" Styrofoam half ball
*Serrated knife
*Baby gifts-socks, bibs, washcloths and onesies(we used 30)
*Double sided tape
*Straight pins
*Paper for patterns
*8-10 (9"x12") felt sheets in several shades of green
*Scissors(pinking shears optional)
*Strong, permanent glue, such as Beacon Fabric-Tac
*1 yd. each of 2 (5/8"-1") ribbons
PAINT BASKET WIHITE AND ABOUT 33 DOWELS GREEN. PLACE THE FOAM HALF-BALL IN THE BASKET, TRIMMING EDGES WITH SERRATED KNIFE TO FIT.
MAKE ROSES OF BABY GIFTS. EXCEPT FOR SOCKS, FOLD LENGTHWISE INTO THIRDS OR FOURTHS, FORMING LONG STRIPS. PLACE A RING OF DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE AT THE END OF A DOWEL AND WRAP THE ITEM AROUND IT (YOUCAN SLIP THE DOWEL INTO A FOLD). PIN ENDS CLOSED.
MAKE TWO LEAF-SHAPED PATTERNS, 5 1/2"X3" AND 4 1/4"X 2 3/8"
CUT ABOUT 35 EACH SIZE FROM GREEN FELT, USING PINKING SHEARS IF YOU HAVE THEM. GLUE THE ENDS OF 2 LEAVES TO EACH DOWEL AT ROSE'S BASE. ARRANGE ROSES IN BASKET, STARTING WITH THE LARGEST IN TOP CENTER. WITH KNIFE OR SCISSORS, SHORTEN DOWELS AT OUTSIDE EDGES SO YOU SEE ROSES, NOT STEMS. FILL SPACES WITH LEAVES GLUED TO THE ENDS OF EXTRA DOWELS.
HOLD RIBBONS TOGETHER, TIE AROUND BASKET, SECURING THEM IN PLACE WITH DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE. TIE A BOW IN FRONT.

I wish I could include a picture...it looks really cute!
I hope this gives you an idea anyway!
Good luck!

www.izzytdesigns.com I get gifts from here every time I go to a shower. The stuff is great quality, and you cannot beat the price. It's wrapped really cute, and shipped usually the next day. Check it out!

I would suggest instead of getting the baby a gift, get one for the mother. For example, a pregnancy massage, a pedicure, ect. I tell you when I was pregnant, especially those last couple of months, I would have loved a pamper day or just something to help relax.

E.,
my favorite shower gift to make is a diaper cake. You rool diapers and put rubber bands around them and make it look like a wedding cake. I normally make mine about 3 layers. It takes about a case of newborn diapers(which the person can use after they start to disassemble the cake--although you could do it with any size if they already have plenty of newborn diapers. You can google diaper cakes and you should be able to find better instructions. I have done several theme ones, for example with all types of bath supplies or toys you can attach about anything to them and make them look very cute. Socks are good washclothes, little travel size soaps, diaper cremes, all those things that you can never have enough of as a new mom. Good luck and hope you recieve lots of ideas.
H. mom of 2.

I found it to be the Best Gift ever Nice Thick Cozy White blanket because for one thing its going into Winter, and it can be used everywhere and at any time, and they last.

My cousin is having her first baby, and everything is going so well - her insurance is only going to pay for 1 ultrsound. Several of us are pooling our money together to get her a 3D ultrasound - she really wants it but can't afford the $200 price tag. Check with your OB/GYN office - or hers.

I got some WONDERFUL things at my shower - basically everything on my register. I had a mom of a 4 yr. old and a very young grandmother of 6 help me. I received clothes through age 9 months. I received SEVERAL handmade blankets. A Little Einstein fish tank for her crib. Practical stuff like bottle brush, diaper bags, etc. But, I would have to say that my FAVORITE gift didn't come from a shower: it was from a formula company. It was a gift certificate for a massage! When Kaitlin was a month old, I got it and LOVED every single second. She had spent nearly 5 of the 9 months on my sciatic nerve, so my back was REALLY hurting :)

what about a diaper cake???
google diaper cake and c what i'm talking about. they're great. and u can make it yourself.

I do a lot of stamping, so one of my favorite things to do is to make a set of note cards that the new mom can use for thank-yous after the shower. Or, for a really close friend of mine, I once did a 12x12 scrapbook-style baby book. I used mostly yellow & green to keep it gender neutral, then waited until the baby was born to see if she needed blue or pink embellishments.

Hope that helps!

My favorite gift to give and get: get a small clothes basket, some clothesline, clothes pins, tissue paper , and small gifts(onesies, rattles, booties, blankies....whatever you want really that isn't too heavy). You attach all items to the clothesline using the clothespins then place in the clothes basket, layering the items with the tissue paper making sure you cannot see the items through any holes in the basket, end with tissue paper on top and a small piece of clothesline sticking out with a note saying "pull". My other favorite gift is a hand crocheted blanket made just for baby. Have fun!

Hi! I am a photographer and a few of my close girlfriends have given my sessions as gifts for their friends.. It make an awesome gift and I can even custom design a certificate. Trust me no one at the shower will have thought of this so it is really unique and affordable! As session is custom to the family and is an investment they will never forget.
Check out my latest newborn session at www.JulieStoryPhotography.com

You could try a diaper cake!!! lol You make a cake out of rolled up diapers around 3 bowls stacked on top of each other..you can secure the diapers to the bowls with a little tape and put ribbon around them for an "icing" effect..i did this for my friends baby shower and no one had seen it before they all thought it was so cute.

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A favorite gift that I got for my babies was a baby food grinder. I used it all the time to make homemade baby food for my kids. You could make a feeding time basket with bibs, a little bowl, some spoons, some soft washcloths, a sippy cup, etc. Good Luck!

Best baby shower gift I EVER heard of (someone did it for my friend):
A bunch of friends who knew the expecting mom got together and made a necklace. It wasn't fancy, just a piece of twine (you can obviously modify as you see fit) with beads. BUT, each friend chose one bead and then sat together. As each friend put her bead on the necklace she made a wish/blessing for the expecting mom/parents and the baby. "I hope that your child is born healthy." "I hope that you love your child, no matter WHO he or she is." Etc.
It was a beautiful thing and my friend took the necklace with her when she went into labor.
Best wishes!

I loved it when someone made me a diaper cake. Not only was it pretty, but it was practical too. And even better, it has 3 different size diapers in it, so in the beginning I always had that next diaper size up waiting in the wings.

E. - I agree with Kim T ... a friend of mine sent me a gift card to my favorite restaurant after my first baby was born. I LOVED it for two reasons ... 1). I got a meal at my favorite restaurant and 2). I didn't have to cook that night.

Here's another one...
I've been making "New Mom Bags" for my friends who are expecting, usually in addition to a regular gift since it's full of useful, but not so fun, stuff. I include:

-a chart to keep track of baby's pees, poops and feedings every hour for the first two weeks. I attach it to a clipboard and add a pen on a string to the clipboard. If you want a copy of the chart (based on one the hospital gave me), let me know.

-thank you notes and stamps

-if mom is nursing: -a bracelet she can wear and switch from wrist to wrist to keep track of which side to start on at each feeding, disposeable diaper changing pads she can use in bed to lay baby on for side-lying nursing (saves her sheets), chapstick (since everything dries out)

-carry-out menus and restaurant coupons

-pads (not Always or other plastic-weave kind but the soft cotton kind)

-ear plugs

-alcohol swabs, the kind diabetics use before checking their blood- she can use these to clean the cord stump at every diaper change until it falls off

And the last mom I gave it to said she used everything (several have told me that) and she suggested I add batteries to it too.

You could also add:
-infant Tylenol
-gas drops
-teething meds
-other meds that mom will want ASAP when she needs them
-disposeable breast pads
-a list of local places/ events for babies/new mom (like MOPs or the library story time, etc) to help her connect with other moms

There are lots of good ideas in the other responses too- I hope you find the perfect thing! :)

Hi E.
God Bless you, you sound like a pretty amazing person with four children of your own and being a surrogate. Once for a first time mother I did the following, the gift was not unique but the idea was. I bought a basket full of things that I loved. Example: Earth's Best organic ceral, butt paste, Huggies newborn diapers, wipes that were a little bit less expensive and then a couple outfits, etc. I made little tags with cute cardstock and shared what I liked so much about that product and tied it onto that gift with a ribbon. She absolutely loved it, being a first time mother she really enjoyed seeing what another mother liked. Good luck!

I agree, the diaper cake is very cute, practical and not overdone yet. Mine was a huge hit at our shower and every peice of it has come in handy!!! I know there are several ways to make them and Babies R Us offers free sessions to learn how to make them. The best thing about the diaper cake everyone needs diapers!

Good luck!

My favorite gift is a basket of NA wines/beers. This is a super fun gift for someone who enjoys a drink!!

scrapbook pages, or gift cert to a scrapbook store, or a photo place (picture people, target) Diapers, or clothes that are sized 12m, or 18 months are another idea

I have two favorites from my baby shower. The first was a suitcase with new nursing pjs for me, shower gel, snacks for the hospital. The other awesome gift was a gift certificate for molly maids to clean the house. Hope that helps. :)

When most people look at baby registries, they look for one or two things that fit their budget and are done. (which is great because they get the bigger items)
Unless I know the mother really well and can get or make them a super personal gift, I grab their registry but take a different approach.
I go through and pick up all of the little things on the registry that most people pass over and make a gift basket or wrap everything up in a cute blanket. Those cheap little things on the registry are sometimes the most practical, not to mention the most needed!
Everyone I've done that for has been SO appreciative of those little things.
Have fun!
E.

I know that it is called a baby shower because you get gifts for the baby, but I am a massage therapist and i work with pregnant women or new mothers from time to time and i see how stressfull it can be to pe pregnant and have a baby. if the family has the basics for the baby, you may want to consider purchasing gift certificates for the mom to receive in home massages for her feet, her body, her hands or even for her to receive massage during labor. i encourage you to do a little research and even ask the mom how she feels about it before making the commitment, because some peopld do not like massage. i would be glad to answer any questions you may have. one more thought -you may also talk to the mom about classes on giving infant massage. it is a great bonding tool.

Three gifts that stuck out to me were

1. a bag containing all medecine stuff I could possibly need, tylenol, mylecon, vicks baby rub, thermometer, saline drops..etc.

2. Gift certificates for pictures

3. Gift certificate for a pottery place that actually sent someone to the hospital to get her footprints (a lot of hospitals stopped doing this.

I would have loved loved loved hand made personalized stationary for her!

I think that all the advice has been great! I just wanted to remind you that if you do get clothing for a later age(9-12) Just remember to think about what season it will be then, and try to get something versatle incase the baby grows smaller/bigger then expected. By that time too they may want to put more gender identifying clothing on their baby. Depending on how well you know the host you could also suggest helping with a thing called the diaper game. Suggest bringing a large gift ie: gift certificate, gift basket, and having it be a prize for the guests attending. Each person that attends gets a raffle ticket for each package of diapers that they bring. You draw one (or two) names and that person(s) wins the prize you brought. We played this at my shower and I ended up with diapers for almost a year! This would be a great help to the new mommy! Don't worry about diaper sizes they can always be exchanged at any store for the size that she/he needs at the time. I hope this helps!

I have in the past for new parents put together a goodie bag. This included a diaper bag with some of the basic stuff such as lotion, baby soap, powder, wipes, diapers. All of the necessary things that you go through fast and always need. I have added a wash clothe and towel also.

Didn't have time to read all the replies, so sorry if I repeat. One of the best I went to a few years back, a first time Mom, her life up til then had been her dogs, cat, and hubby. So alot of us got her a small gift for the dogs( a rawhide, a chew toy)a ball for the cat, ect.. She was so grateful. She felt selfish for worrying about the animals. Get something small for Hubby, gag gifts work well, a roll of duct tape, a single screw-driver or wrench, and we still gave something to the baby,the other gifts will only run you maybe 5$, so the baby still gets it all. But Mama is thrilled to see her "former" life is not gone. If Mama doesnt have pets, substitute a book, whatever her hobby is. Have fun with it!

The best thing I ever saw was a baby book that was already made for the mother-to-be. The guest bought a photo album, scrapbooked it with everything except the actual pictures and gave it to the mom. She had bath pages, 1st birthday pages, etc... a different theme on every page. She even added grandparent/sibling/etc pages with those people's names already on the page, i.e. "Grandma and Me". The mom-to-be just had to plop the pictures in when she had them!

Hi E.-

I would suggest a Twilight Turtle (lights up baby's room at night) or a one of those small diaper changing kits. I've been getting those for my friends after I had my son. No one wants to take the whole bag into a public restroom and those small kits are perfect! If you aren't opposed to gift certs, there are some great sites like Modern Tots and Oliebollen that have clothing, toys, supplies, design items that could fit any need they have!

I have given a baby time capsule several times and have received many compliments on it. I order it from a local flower shop. You would just have to look in your area and get some ideas. Good luck coming up with something!!

A friend made a scrapbook for me- a mini one- with space for pictures, decorated with little duckies, booties, etc, when I was pregnant with my first. It is the only scrapbook I have put together. I have all the stuff for a big one, but no time, especially since the second baby has come along. Someone suggested doing this and I just wanted to say that I received one and it was really great! I would include these themes: an announcement page for Baby's newborn info, a page for mommy and baby, Daddy and Baby, Baby's first bath, Baby's first smiles, Baby's early visitors, Baby's first outing, Baby's first holiday (you can probably guess what it will be- or just do a Christmas page),and lots of pretty decorated pages for their favorite photos that don't necessarily fit a certain category. I also like the food idea, if they live close. Offer to make them one dinner a week for the first month. Tell them you will bring food every Friday (or whatever day works) for one month so that they don't feel they need to ask you or remind you- it will be all set.)I hope this helps.

Hi! I have 3 kids, 10, 7 & 5. One thing that I have seen at showers is to give a basket of books. I love books and most moms-to-be who have gotten this gift, love it! Another idea is to make a basket with all those small things that can add up in cost for first time moms! My sister and I made one for our sister. We included things like small bowls for snacks, travel wipes, sippy cups, bib, toddler spoons, a book, travel toys, etc. A lot of the things we included were more appropriate for 6-12 mths. or older which most moms do not get at showers. Another idea is a nice album, 5x7, that can be displayed-a metal one. Even a really nice 8x10 frame. I don't know many moms who don't take a lot of pictures with their first babies!! Good luck! Debbie

E. -

I like to give the Arbonne ABC Baby products, along with some washcloths and towels. These are botanically based, pure, safe and beneficial products -- for baby's sensitive skin. If you would like more information on these products, just let me know.

L. L.

I was a a festival the other day and saw these cute baby cakes made out of diapers, rattles, bottles, and other baby items. They were really cute! I don't recall the price but they were definitely unique! I'm in Lancaster, Ohio if that helps you out any. Let me know! H.

I think it's awesome your friends don't know the gender of the baby!! It is the best suprise they will ever have. We did the same thing and I think some friends and relatives were disappointed (it does make it harder to give a gift). There are lots of things on their registry list that are probally neutral but if you want a practical gift, buy diapers, wipes, neutral onsies, sleepers or blankets. Any baby room accessories like storage baskets, nursery cart, bath towels, washclothes, bottles, nursing accessories. Picture frames or other sentimental gifts. The possibilites are really endless, have an open mind and good luck!!!!

I am an artist who does pregnancy bellycasting! I do the castings at baby showers, or in the comfort of the mother to be's own home. I also have a space at a day spa to do the castings as well. You may include the hands of the father, or siblings as well. I paint th castings to match the nursery, or whatever you request! I have a page on facebook w/ samples of my work. The business is called Rock-A-Bye Belly, Bellycasting services. I travel out of state also.

Hi E.! One of the things I love is the sound machine for my daughter's room. It's by Conair and makes all sorts of different sounds (ocean, birds, rain...). I also have a cart cover that I use the life out of. I also use it in the high chair at a restaurant. It's a great things to have. If you happen to find out that it's a girl, I love putting a bracelet on my daughter. I have made her four of them. One in pink with block letters with her name, a purple, white, and blue. I get so many compliments on it!! I have had several people request that I make them for their friends who have just had baby girls. They're precious!! Good luck!

The best shower gift that I received - bag of practical stuff. Everyone always seems to want to buy clothes and blankets and toys - which are great, but it is the little things that people forget.

Best shower gift ever - basket (or baby tub!) with - baby drugs (tylenol, gas drops etc), thermometer, butt paste, nail clippers, good baby lotion, baby comb. Basically doing your shower gift shopping at CVS. But these are the things that you don't think of until you need them.

And I think that the 2nd place gift is always diapers. Diapers are expensive (if you do disposable). We were very grateful when someone gave us diapers. The thing that we liked too - diapers 1 size too big. Not all babys enter the world "newborn size" and you will have the next size up ready and waiting. Having to skip buying diapers for a couple of weeks is like winning the lottery! LOL. I crack myself up!

Whatever you get will be appreciated. Have fun shopping!

You might want to make or purchase a diaper cake! They are so cute and you can put anything you want on them, and all the diapers can be used!

The best shower gift I received was a huge bottle bank that had some change in the bottom. I have no clue where they got it from, but we still put our pocket change in it tio this day and my son is 2. The one I got was almost 3 ft tall.

When my sister in law had her first child I made her a complete scrapbook that all she had to do was fill in the blanks. There was even a couple of pages to includes pics with the grandparents. She seemed to really like it but it can be rather expensive by the time you buy the albumn, stickers, paper, etc. Just a thought.

Bellycasting is a great gift. I happen do them. Also the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD is a great gift. Or just offering to bring them dinner once a week.

Good Luck
JO

Some ideas:

1. I used to give baby clothes hangers. They last for years after the babies outgrow all those sleepers.

2. Does she have a video camera with a DVD recorder? You may want to pool your money on that.

3. A baby clothes hamper or a baby lamp. My daughter still loves her baby lamp even though she does not use it. It was a Winnie the Pooh lamp from Sears. Find out the print for the bedding that they are getting and the store they are buying it from. Usually, they have matching lamps at these stores.

4. Miscellaneous. Create a baby basket filled -- Dreft liquid detergent for the laundry, wipes, diaper cream, a baby food carousel, child safety latches. Parents NEVER have enough wipes or diaper cream. I was the only one at the last baby shower who brought DREFT detergent.

5. High Chair or Play Pen will last for a while.

Good Luck

Hi E.,

I recieved a basket from my Aunt that is still being used to this day...she called it the first week basket. It had all the essentials you would need in the first week. And a couple of personal things to cherish. Recieving blankets, onesies, wash cloths, diapers, socks sleepers, burp rags, etc. She also decorated a toothfairy box, hair box, and photo album to match the basket.....all are still lovingly used today!

Good luck!

Also I have done a spinnoff and made a Mommie's basket, everything she may need in the hospital....chap stick, massage oil, lotion, body wash, soft music, magazines, a good book.

Our absolutely favorite and most-used shower gift was the Homedics Soundspa Lullaby sound machine. It has projection onto the ceiling, three different scenes that go around on the ceiling. Sounds such as heartbeat, ocean, rain, lullaby, twinkle twinkle little star, and rock-a-bye baby. A timer can be set to have it shut off at 15,30,45, or 60 minutes.
We have NEVER had trouble with nighttime routine...our son is 9 months old this month, and we started a bedtime routine when he was 5-6 months old, putting him in his own bed, lying him down awake. We use this machine nightly, and take it with us when we stay over at my parents' place out of town.

Highly recommend!

Hi E..

I am a consultant for Once Upon A Family. When my best friend just had her first in May, I gave her a Memory Keepsake box and a Handprint book from Once Upon A Family. Everyone loved them! You can check them out at www.onceuponafamily.com. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

B.

The nicest and practical baby gift I ever gave was the cover that fits over a high chair, grocery cart, seat when you go out for dinner. This keeps everyone elses germs away from the baby. I first saw it at my daughter in laws and it was wonderful.

I think you definitely can't go wrong with diapers -- just make sure you know if they're using cloth or regular -- or something else practical, but I like getting people things they wouldn't get themselves (unless they are registered... then I go with the registry).

These two Web sites have super fun baby gifts: www.uncommongoods.com; www.etsy.com.

I like to give gift certificates to a local photographer -- JC Penneys, usually. I've never seen anyone else do it at parties/showers, and all the moms appear to be pleasantly surprised. It seems to go over well! =)

There are some wonderful ideas posted here - I enjoyed reading all of them.
When I give a shower gift, I read over the registry to see what practical things are listed that I know I used with my children. Then I try to buy enough of the smaller things to make a basket. I really feel that the way a gift is wrapped/presented enhances the gift. I always make sure that one of the things (whether on the list or not) is a package of cloth diapers to be used as burp cloths. I have taken them out of the package and dyed them before to make them more unique (dyson dye), then washed them myself through the washer (2x) on sanitize to make sure all the excess dye is out, and then ironed them. They can be folded and stacked like a pyramid and a wide satin ribbon can be tied in a bow at the top to hold the stack together. The last ones I did were turquoise and royal blue.
Also, if I buy clothing, I make sure it is 9-12mo clothing . Everyone always has a ton of clothes in 0-3mos, and 3-6mos., ...then the shower is over, the baby is born, a few more gifts come.... but 6 mos from now, all the shower gifts have been used and baby has grown. The new parents are on their own to replenish. I think it's nice to still have new gifts waiting for their turn long after the excitement of the shower and the birth.
I also try to enclose words of wisdom with the card. Such as wash all clothing ahead of time to see how much it shrinks, then ignore the size and use it when it fits baby. Too many times I put new items away until they arrived at that size, I washed it and it shrinks a size smaller and can't be used because baby is too big for it. How sad and fustrating!
Good luck!

Two of my favorite gifts were (and are), a photo album for the first year of baby's life and two brag books one for each set of grandparents. The other was a small hamper for the baby's room, filled with the following, A&D ointment, alchohol pads, baby shampoo, baby oil, baby lotion, Q-tips, baby wipes, a baby comb and brush set, baby powder with the puff dispenser (the one I had last was a bunny you put the powder in the bunny and the tail was the puff for powdering the clean little butt and body to keep the fall out from reaching the child), hooded towel, baby wash clothes, Dreft, oral gel, teething ring (freezer kind), changing pads for the chaning table and to carry in the diaper pad), baby spoons and silverware set (I like the coated spoons for the begining) and a set for when baby gets older, a baby dish (divided that you can put hot water in to keep food warm while feeding), and believe it or not a certificate for mommy for a day at a spa for a massage and a facial "Daddy's Time with Baby" was on the envelope.
Also if they don't have a good blender or a baby food grinder and the freezer containers it is a good gift.
If you know the decor of the baby's room you can always do a picture for the wall (needlepoint, pastels, whatever). I have been known to make a lamp for someone. I have made Donald Duck, Big Big, Oscar the Grouch, Bambi, Winnie the Pooh, etc. in the past, plaster lamp, hand painted but you can buy them at Sears, ToysRUs and even WalMart and Target now.
Presently everyone in my group expects me to make an afghan for the newborns and I get tired of it but generally do it if I can't con my 29 yr old DD to do it instead!