There’s no question that COVID-19 has rewritten the playbook, especially when it comes to
large gatherings. Nevertheless, some traditions don’t change regardless of the circumstances. If
you’re attending a baby shower — either virtually or in-person — you’re still going to need to get
a gift for the new bundle of joy. On top of that, if the parent-to-be is particularly Earth-conscious,
it can make the gift-buying experience that much more complicated.
Here are a few eco-friendly baby shower ideas to help ease the process, keep your costs down,
and still deliver a gift that will align with the lifestyle of the recipient.
Consider the Essentials
The truth is, a newborn baby does not need half the amount of stuff that modern culture would
have you think. That said, there are several essentials that you can safely consider gifting. For
instance, a well-stocked diaper caddie requires a plethora of items, including:
● Diapers: Consider both cloth and compostable disposable options depending on the
parent’s preferences.
● Wipes: Look for chemical-free wipes that are made with simple, natural ingredients.
● Diaper cream: Once again, make sure you’re getting a cream that is made with natural,
eco-friendly ingredients.
● Changing pads: Look for a pad made with organic and non-toxic materials.
Keeping to the eco-friendly theme, consider wrapping gifts like these in reusable, cloth
packaging — or better yet, deliver them in the caddie itself!
Ideas for the Little Blessing
If you want a splashier gift, you can look for some toys and other fun items for the bambino to
use once they’re born. A few eco-friendly considerations include:
● Board books: It’s never too early to equip a child with the pleasures of a good book.
● Wooden toys: Wooden toys are safe for children to play with and don’t have harmful
chemicals found in many plastics.
● Stuffed animals: Soft, plush toys are also safe for babies, though you’re going to want
to ensure that they were made with organic materials that don’t include pesticides or
toxins.
● Clothes: It’s tempting to nab a cute outfit for the newborn — if you do so, make sure it’s
been sourced and manufactured with sustainable, organic materials.
The goal when purchasing eco-friendly toys is to find products that have been made
sustainably. Look for labels showing that products are made without BPA, VOC, lead, pesticide,
and so on.
Get Something for Mom
While the baby shower may be named after the new member of the family, everyone is well
aware of the fact that it’s the parents — and particularly Mom — that will be putting in the leg
work. With that in mind, consider getting an eco-friendly present to help her with the task. A few
ideas include:
● Butters and sprays: An organic nipple butter or perineal spray can show that you’re
looking out for mom as she recovers from the delivery and adjusts to breastfeeding.
● Makeup: A well-sourced organic or natural makeup can be just the thing to help mom
feel prepped and pulled together throughout the rest of her pregnancy and the early
days of motherhood.
● Restaurant gift cards: A more unique sustainable option is simply purchasing a gift
card to mom’s favorite restaurant as a way to save her some food-prep time either
before or after birth.
There are countless gift ideas for a parent-to-be. The important thing is to maintain that eco-
friendly angle as you pick something out.
Navigating Eco-Friendly Baby Showers in a Pandemic
A baby shower is always an interesting gift-buying experience. Each parent’s standards and
tastes tend to vary. When you add in the complications of a socially-distanced event and the
fact that a party is “green-themed,” picking something out can feel nearly impossible.
However, if you take the time to carefully consider your options, there are quite a few ways to
come through with a great gift. The main theme with the above suggestions simply revolves
around being thoughtful and doing some research beforehand. If you use these ideas as a
launching point, you should be able to find a thoughtful, eco-friendly gift that checks all of the
necessary boxes without difficulty.
Guest Writer: Noah Rue