What were you going to order from Amazon? Any chance of getting it local?

A book basket

I usually do a selection of baby books plus a pair of decorative wooden bookends.

I once gave a silver piggy bank with money inside, but I'm not sure they ever looked inside to find the money!

RN that's her registry. Someone bought it.

If someone has a registry, I buy my primary gift from that. If there is nothing left on it that I want to buy, I buy something related or similar that is returnable. I try to hew to any theme or color scheme revealed by their registry choices for the bulk of my gift.

Then, I might spend a small amount on a gift that is more of a surprise.

So I don't have a go-to.

I like baskets of books but they get so many duplicates.

My go-to is a monogrammed silver cup. If you like pewter, you can find them well within your budget. If you prefer sterling, you will need to increase your budget about $50. I generally order them from Ross-Simons. If you choose to do so, have it sent to you so you can check the monogram. I ordered several at one time and one came with no engraving. They corrected the problem pronto.

Found something you might like. Seems highly rated.

https://www.amazon.com/Hatch-Baby-Rest-RIOT/dp/B08YS6S66Z/?encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=F05jG&content-id=amzn1.sym.bc5f3394-3b4c-4031-8ac0-18107ac75816&pf_rd_p=bc5f3394-3b4c-4031-8ac0-18107ac75816&pf_rd_r=9Z64NFPZB8CB1FENXZGP&pd_rd_wg=m0cDi&pd_rd_r=ed7bb8f1-44fd-4a0d-91b7-577537e10835&ref=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m&th=1

This 100% cotton fleece throw, with name embroidered on it, is my go to baby item. My DD has one that’s, well, 24 years old and has been washed thousands of times and it still looks great. They are cozy, warm, clean well and have a lovely hand. https://www.garnethill.com/top-rated/

I also like Little Giraffe blankets. All 3 grands have them and love them. https://littlegiraffe.com/collections/baby-blankets/products/luxe-baby-blanket

Books!

I like to give books too, but Mtn is correct - lots of young families have multiple copies of Good Night Moon etc. Lately I have opted for a set of A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh) books. Not au current but they are lovely books.

I’ve given the Garnet Hill heirloon cotton baby blanket. I don’t know why it’s only receiving one review in its current offering? Maybe something about it has changed because its always been well received.

I'm so out of touch with what's in these days, but years ago, I would give the Peter Rabbit/Beatrix Potter dish sets. I always thought they were fun and sweet and useful too.

The Strategist is usually a good source for me when I am looking for au courant gifts for my young adult children. They suggest the Freshly Picked leather baby moccasins which I think are super cute and have been popular for a while.

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-baby-shower-gifts.html?itm_source=search&itm_medium=article&itm_campaign=baby%20gifts

https://freshlypicked.com/collections/bundles-of-joy

This baby will likely not need anything, certainly not duplicates or things s/he will outgrow soon or more stuff for the parents to deal with. I suggest a gift for the mother, such as a spa day, or the couple, such as a gift card to a lovely restaurant. I promise you, such a gift will be very well received and will be used when the parents most need them.

I've mentioned this here before, so don't mean to be repetitive, but one of my favorite gifts to give is books with the child's name in the title. Depending on the name of course, you may have a plethora of choices, or none at all. I started this tradition with my daughter Lily when she was an infant and added 1-2 books each Christmas. Today, at age 27, she has a lovely, sentimental collection. It's easy to find these with Amazon.

I try to buy books with my local regional theme. So, the babies/kids back east and in the south are getting desert-themed books from me.

@Annie Deighnaugh baby dish sets have been my go-to for many years. Usually Peter Rabbit but I think I did a different Wedgewood set last time I bought a set, as Peter was not available.

Last baby shower I went to, was one of my daughter's best friend's and I went in on a gift with my daughter. Not too many babies recently, so I am out of practice buying baby gifts.

Of course there are the assembled gifts or whatever you might call it where you fill a basket full of onesies and rattles, pacifiers, t-shirts, swaddle blankets, little outfits with shoes, socks, hats, etc.

I do have a book suggestion. A coworker gave me a set of Peter Rabbit books for DD1 and she and I both still treasure it.

They are little hardbacks, lovely illustrations, like $70 on the big A

Arggh I cannot post photos again today!

@mtnrdredux_gw great idea. My daughter also received the set you mentioned as a baby and still owns the set today. I was also given Beatrix Potter books myself, currently they are part of my Easter decorations

Ours are smaller, white and were in a pretty box ... liek these

The World of Peter Rabbit 23 Vol Box Set White Jacket: The Complete Collection Of Original Tales

https://www.amazon.com/World-Peter-Rabbit-White-Jacket/dp/0723275920/ref=asc_df_0723275920/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312106842432&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6036455667101523660&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003451&hvtargid=pla-455293944916&psc=1

I love the idea to give a few books with the child’s name in the title, if that’s an option. My adult DD still treasures her Olivia books and associated Olivia toys, and I still remember how thrilled she was to read about another Olivia!

I don't do registries anymore because the giftee/s will receive so many items tt gets a bit overwhelming I've found.

So, for baby showers, I too give books. Usually >$100 worth. I also love to give a nice Beatrix Potter set plus the usual classics and a few sweet books not as well known. Kitty's New Doll is a much loved book by all the kids I've given it too and read it to. I wrap nicely, leave a little note in each book with the date. Then I include a nice gift for new mom. This latest one I just sent off, I included herbal nursing teas as this was a preemie and mom is trying her best in this dept. (back in my day, I wish someone had given me nursing pads! Poor hubs was always running to the drug store to buy up all their nursing pads)

In place of that, if it's someone I *really* know, I buy books and diapers in size 3 or 4--as no one outside of the new parents is thinking of new baby's bottom by the time they reach size 3 or 4. It sounds cheapo with no imagination, but it's always well received. New parents have no idea how much money they will be spending on diapers. Or the quantity they will go through in a short amount of time. I've been thanked over and over for thinking ahead on their behalf and books are always well loved.

Duplicates in books can be donated to libraries and schools, or given to a childrens's hospital for their inpatients. Someone, somewhere will be reading the book, or having it read to them. Never a lost gift imo.

A basket of health items like thermometer, baby tylenol, etc.

an LLBean monogrammed tote bag

The books with the child's name is a very nice idea and they have them where regardless of how unique the name is, they will print it up. ( My 4 grands have very ahem different names and they each have received books with their names ).. The other gift that I loved and so did everyone else was the beautiful embroidered quilt- with name or monogram. It's a nicer girl gift. I ordered from this site on etsy but there are many to browse through at all price points it seems. The one I got was about $50 This is the vendor abunchofstitches ( not the actual quilt I sent)

Of course duplicates can be donated but I simply would not give a gift that I thought had a high probability of being duplicated.

I agree about buying books (or clothes) for use a year or so out, but not diapers (who wants to store that?).

I'm sure you didn't intend to sound snarky. That's not how I've read your posts in the past. People who have very tight budgets are grateful for extra diapers in upcoming sizes. Having children is astonishingly expensive as we all know. Those who have to decided between life's basics--not all of the basics get to be had each month, are happy to store to be grown into diapers for the near future.

No, I don't mean to sound snarky and apologize if it sounds as such. I am totally on board with diapers as a gift, but IME, people on budgets also oftne don't have a lot of storage space, so the bulkiness of diapers can be suboptimal in those cases.

I love the idea of book baskets my darling grandson will sit and ”read” board books for surpringly long periods. ( but not ”lift the flap ” books books—those he readily destroys!)

I also have given super indulgent cashmere baby sweaters from Boden Kids as a gift In my perfect world little boys dress like Christopher Robin . The sweaters are great quality and survive multiple siblings .

I always bought clothes in a larger size. Nice to have something fresh and new when the babay is nearly one.

I used to really like buying a savings bond for a new baby. Now though you can only do this online and it sounds like it would be a PITA. I like to buy a nice Christmas ornament that can be personalized and dated. There are some nice sterling silver ones and in the past I have found some crystal bell ornaments that can be etched with name/date, etc. We have one for the year we married. I have not found one in a while but I'm sure they must still be out there. I usually add a monogrammed blanket, diapers or clothing, unless I know something the new parents would like to receive. I have given a set of books, but otherwise, I think books seem to be something that some receive "too many of the same thing".

I like using a gift registry because it contains items needed/wanted. I'm not understanding how there could be that many repeats, because the registry tells you if the item has been bought or not???? As far as diapers, I know of those who store diapers under the bedskirt of the crib. Again, that is a gift I think you would want to know if it's something the parents would be happy with or not.

Whatever buy, you've got to buy a Sophie. She's made in France and is a huge hit, and a bit pricey but all babies love her. Both my grandchildren got one. I don'w know what it is that attracts teethers to her, but it works.

Sophie

I don't like registries for brides, but for a baby I think it's a necessity because they need so many gadgets. Unless I sewed like Annie.

I think my post isn't showing up from 4 days ago because it has an Ariver link. Here's the title. This gets good reviews.

Hatch Rest+ Baby & Kids Sound Machine | 2nd Gen | Child’s Night Light, Alarm Clock, Toddler Sleep Trainer, Time-to-Rise, White Noise, Bedtime Stories, Portable, Backup Battery (with Charging Base)

The stroller caddy from Freshly Picked is very nice and a good middle of the road price and gift. its vegan ”leather” and comes in a variety of colors. the configuration of the interior is very practical and it attaches easily.