When it comes to buying a baby gift, there are a few things you need to understand about gifting material items to kids. You want to get something that the parents will appreciate, but you also want to give something that the baby can use. And if you’re looking for a girl baby gift, there are some extra factors to take into account. Here is a guide that will help you make the best decision when buying a baby gift.

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What is a baby gift?

A baby gift is a present given to parents for their new baby. It can be anything from clothes and toys to furniture and equipment. If they are too young to understand the importance of the gift, it is equally important if the parents will appreciate and find it useful.

Ambwani of Carleton University in Canada described gifting to be the “cement of social relationships where a plethora of human feelings are generally at play.” In all honesty, any occasion that involves gifting comes with feelings of excitement, and kids love every bit of it. From unwrapping to trying it out for the first time. You can see their happiness in their eyes.

When presenting a gift to a toddler or older kids that can understand the use, importance and context, you should explain to them what the gift is for and why you are giving it to them. This will ensure that they understand its value, and it will help inculcate a sense of gratitude in them.

Gifting in different cultures:

While the gifting culture has varying significance among cultures, the concept of giving gifts to welcome a new baby is pretty universal.

In some cultures, it is considered good manners to bring a gift when you visit someone’s home for the first time. It does not have to be an expensive gift; anything thoughtful will do. The same goes for baby showers; it is impolite to show up empty-handed.

When it comes to baby gifts, the British have a tradition of giving silver spoons. The practice started in Tudor times when people believed that silver had the power to ward off evil spirits. Nowadays, people give different kinds of silver items, such as photo frames and piggy banks.

In India, it is customary to give the baby a silver coin on his or her first birthday. It is considered good luck.

In the US and generally in the West, gifts to babies is more commonplace compared to any other part of the world.

How big is the baby gift and gifting market in general?

A 1990 study by Wagner and Garner found that Americans spend up to 4% of their household income. This represented $78 billion dollars of annual spending which in 2022 could be upwards of $120 billion.

Some holidays come with more spending than others and a Gallup poll showed an increase in spending on holiday gifts over the years.

Gifting Models #1; Sherry Gift-Giving Process:

In 1983, Sherry proposed a process that people go through when giving gifts. This process has 4 steps which are selection, procuring, wrapping and presenting the gift.

1. Selection: The first step is to decide what kind of gift to give. There are many factors that come into play when making this decision such as the relationship between the gifter and the giftee, the occasion, and the budget. A parent giving a gift to his or her child is considered altruistic, whereas a boss giving a gift to an employee is more of a power play.

2. Procuring: Once the decision about the gift has been made, it is time to go out and buy it. This step can be as simple as going to the store and picking up the item or it could involve ordering it online and waiting for it to be delivered.

3. Wrapping: The next step is to wrap the gift. This is usually done with paper and a bow or ribbon. Sometimes, people get creative and make their own wrapping paper or use recycled materials.

4. Presenting: The final step is to present the gift to the recipient. This is usually done in person, but it can also be done online or over the phone.

Why give gifts to kids?

Many parents choose to give their children gifts for different reasons. Some do it to show their love and appreciation, while others do it to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or holiday. There are also parents who give their kids gifts as a way to teach them about money and responsibility.

Whatever the reason, giving gifts to kids can be a lot of fun. It is a chance to see the joy on their faces and to watch them open up the present. It is also an opportunity to bond with your child and to create memories that will last a lifetime.

If you are thinking about giving a gift to a child, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, you need to decide what the child would like. It is important to take into account their age, interests and personality.
Second, you need to make sure the gift is age-appropriate.
Third, you should try to find a gift that is unique and special.
And finally, you need to be prepared for the possibility that the child may not like the gift.

Keep these things in mind and you are sure to find the perfect gift for the child in your life.

Based on Sherry’s gifting processes described above, most parents and gift-givers go online to find the ideal gift to give a baby. In process #1 highlighted above, Sherry emphasizes the following during what is referred to as ‘gift gestation period’;

Gift motive: Altruistic vs agnostic.

An altruistic motive is when the act is done purely for the benefit of others with no expectation of anything in return. On the other hand, an agnostic motive is based on the belief that the act will bring you something in return.

Property symbolism;

Another factor Sherry mentions as part of the gift-search process is determining what the gift means to the baby and to the parents. For example, many baby gifts are purchased for the purpose of providing the baby with a sense of security and comfort. These gifts often take the form of blankets, stuffed animals, or other items that can be used to soothe the baby.

Bonding with the recipient:

Other gifts are purchased for the purpose of helping the parents to bond with their child. These gifts might include books, music, or toys that the parents can use to interact with their child.

Sense of accomplishment:

Finally, there are gifts that are purchased for the purpose of providing the parents with a sense of accomplishment. These gifts might include baby clothes, nursery furniture, or other items that the parents can use to show off their new baby.

Market environment:

The gift search process may also be influenced by the market environment. The marketing environment consists of the forces and trends that affect consumption decisions. Marketing environment factors can be categorized as microenvironment and macroenvironment.

Microenvironmental factors are the forces that are close to the company and have a direct impact on the company’s ability to serve its customers. The main microenvironmental factors are suppliers, customers, intermediaries, public, and competitors.

Macroenvironmental factors are the forces that are external to the company and have an indirect impact on the company’s ability to serve its customers. The main macro-environmental factors are demographic, economic, political, cultural, and natural environment.

Prestation stage:

This is the stage where we start to see baby gifts becoming materialized. Parents would have started to look through different websites, or even brick and mortar stores to find the ideal gift.

Comparison shopping:

After looking at a variety of options, parents will often compare gifts based on price, quality, and style. Additionally, they may also consider the convenience of the store, the return policy, and whether or not the store offers gift wrapping.

Selection:

Once the parents have compared a variety of gifts, they will then select the gift that they believe is best for their child.

Purchasing:

The final step in the process is to purchase the gift. This can be done online or in-person at a store.

Gifting model #2: Larsen and Watson Model

Another gifting model called Larsen and Watson’s Model classified the process as follows;

Gift economic value: The first stage of the Larsen and Watson model is focused on the economic value of the gift. This includes factors such as the price of the gift, the quality of the gift, and the usefulness of the gift. You may have to consider the economic value that the entire family receives as opposed to the utility the kid will get from the git.

Gift emotional value: The second stage of the model is focused on the emotional value of the gift. This includes factors such as the meaning of the gift, the sentimental value of the gift, and the relationship between the giver and the receiver. If you are related to the kid, you might want to give a gift with more sentimental value.

Gift social value: The third stage of the model is focused on the social value of the gift. This includes factors such as the status of the gift, the prestige of the gift, and the formality of the gift. This is usually more important if the gift is given to an adult as opposed to a child.

Gift expressive value: The fourth stage of the model is focused on the expressive value of the gift. This includes factors such as the creativity of the gift, the uniqueness of the gift, and the personality of the gift. Unique and creative gifts are often the most memorable.

Types of gifts:

When it comes to baby gifts, there are a few different types that you can choose from. These include practical gifts, sentimental gifts, and developmental gifts.

Practical gifts:

Practical gifts are items that the parents can use on a daily basis. These might include diapers, wipes, bottles, or clothes. Get practical gifts to infants as parents will find them very useful.

Sentimental gifts:

Sentimental gifts are items that the parents can keep to remember this special time in their lives. These might include a photo album, a baby blanket, or a stuffed animal. Get these gifts for special occasions such as birthdays or holidays

Developmental gifts:

Developmental gifts are items that the parents can use to help their child develop. These might include a baby swing, a bouncer, or a toy. These gifts are great for children who are a little older and can start to play with them.

When it comes to baby gifts, it’s important to consider the age of the child. Infants will need different gifts than toddlers and so on.

Here are Great Gift Ideas for Kids of different ages:

0-3 months:

At this age, infants are just starting to develop their motor skills. They can’t sit up on their own and they can’t hold onto objects very well. Gifts for infants should be focused on helping them develop these skills.

Some great gifts for infants include:

All-In-One Graco Car Seat.
Musical Caterpillar Toy.
Baby Glowing Lullaby Elephant.
Visual Quiet Book.
Sea Animal ‘Who Do You See? ‘ Fabric Book.
Lovevery Play Gym.
Baby Einstein 5-in-1 Activity Play Mat.
Baby Tummy Time Water Mat.

3-6 months:

At this age, infants are starting to become more active. They can sit up on their own and they are starting to grab onto things. Gifts for this age group should be focused on helping them develop their motor skills even further.