Baby Shower Gift List — How to Set One Up and Share It with Guests

Every guest at a baby shower will ask the same question at some point: "What should I get her?" A gift list answers that before anyone has to ask. Guests know exactly what's needed. You get things you'll actually use. Nobody has to return anything.

It sounds straightforward — because it is. You just need to know what to put on the list and the most painless way to share it.

Why a baby shower gift list is worth doing

Gift lists have become standard at weddings. Baby showers are catching up, though some people still worry it looks presumptuous. It doesn't. A gift list is a courtesy to your guests, not a demand.

Without one, guests improvise. They buy what looks nice in the shop, often duplicating something another guest already picked. The mum-to-be ends up with four muslin cloths and no baby monitor — which she'd listed as her priority from the start.

The list solves that. And it saves guests from wandering around a baby shop trying to remember whether a size 3–6 months grows quickly or slowly.

What to put on the list

A good gift list has two qualities: price variety and specificity.

Price variety means there are options at different spend levels — something around £15–30 (a pack of muslins, a bath thermometer, a set of vests) alongside bigger items at £80–200+ (a baby monitor, a bouncer, a carrier). Guests choose what they're comfortable spending.

Specificity means instead of "sleep bag," you write the brand, the size, and the tog rating. Instead of "bottles," the specific set. This isn't excessive detail — it saves guests a decision and prevents a return trip to the shop.

Things that commonly go on baby shower gift lists

Daily essentials:

• Nappies across several sizes (newborn, size 1, size 2)
• Wet wipes (fragrance-free)
• Baby skincare: lotion, nappy cream, wash
• Vests and sleepsuits in 0–3m and 3–6m
• Muslin cloths (you always need more than you think)

Nursery and equipment:

• Baby monitor or video monitor
• Nightlight
• Thermometer (ear or forehead)
• Bouncer or rocker
• Baby carrier or wrap

For later:

• Car seat (check the fitting and compatibility first)
• Pram or pushchair (often bought by grandparents)
• Cot or Moses basket

Smaller items:

• Sensory toys and rattles
• High-contrast books for newborns
• Weaning kit for when the time comes — bowls, spoons, a sippy cup
• Toy storage or a nursery organiser

The list doesn't have to be complete from day one. Add things as you think of them.

What to leave off

Second-hand items — unless you're explicitly happy to receive them and say so. Some guests won't know how to approach it.

Too many options in one category — if there are six different bouncer chairs on the list, guests will freeze. Pick the one you actually want.

Only expensive items — if everything is £150+, guests with smaller budgets won't find anything they can contribute. Include a spread. A few small everyday items (nappy packs, vests, bath things) keep the list accessible to everyone.

How to share the list with guests

The simplest approach: a link.

If you're using a gift list tool like Celebrate, your list lives online and is accessible to anyone you share it with. Each guest can browse, see what's already been claimed, and reserve something — without any risk of overlap.

Drop the link in the invitation — whether that's a WhatsApp message, an email, or a digital invitation. You can also include a QR code if you're sending physical invitations.

No sign-ups required for guests. A good gift list is publicly accessible and frictionless.

What happens when someone claims a gift?

In Celebrate, a guest opens the list, picks an item, and marks it as reserved. Other guests see it's taken and choose something else. You see what's been claimed and what's still available — and you can update the list at any time.

When to create the list

Before the invitations go out, ideally — because some guests start thinking about gifts as soon as they receive the invitation.

If the shower is four to five weeks away, you have time to sit down on a quiet weekend and put the list together properly. Don't leave it to the final few days.

A note on cash gifts

Cash as a gift has become completely normal at baby showers, particularly from close family or friends who'd rather give money and let the mum-to-be decide. If you'd like to include this option on your list, frame it around a specific purpose — "contribution towards the pram," "contribution towards a baby massage course" — so it feels intentional rather than vague.

Gift list etiquette — a few things worth knowing

• The list is a suggestion, not a requirement. Guests are free to buy something not on the list, and that's completely fine.
• Mention it once, don't push it. One link in the invitation is enough.
• Thank every gift equally — whether it came from the list or not.
• Keep the list updated. If you've already bought something yourself, remove it. Otherwise guests may buy a duplicate without realising.

---

FAQ

Is a baby shower gift list appropriate? Absolutely. It's practical for guests and means the mum-to-be gets what she actually needs. It's no different from a wedding registry, which most people now consider standard.

Should I include items at every price point? You don't have to, but it helps. If everything on the list is over £100, guests with smaller budgets have nothing to pick from. A few accessible options — vests, nappy creams, muslins — keep the list open to everyone.

What if a guest wants to buy something not on the list? That's completely fine. The list is there to help, not to constrain. A thoughtful gift from the heart is always welcome.

Can I include items from different shops? Yes. Celebrate lets you add products from any source — links, descriptions, specific models. You're not limited to one retailer.

What about gifts that arrive before the shower? You can open them as they arrive, or save them for a moment during the party. Let the host know what to expect so they can plan accordingly.

---

A gift list doesn't need to take long to put together. An hour with a clear head and a decent tool and you have something that genuinely helps everyone involved.

Create yours on Celebrate and share it with a single link. And if you're still working out the rest of the event, read how to plan a baby shower step by step.