Babies are gifts to the world – they bring joy, excitement, and they just radiate cuteness. But for parents-to-be, you know what comes a close second? Actual gifts!

For most expecting parents, the last hurrah of freedom and enjoyment before the lifelong commitment comes in the form of a baby shower ! Yes, though it may seem like a baby shower is an event for the baby on the way, everyone knows it's actually for dad and mum-to-be.

So if you aren't sure what to buy for your friend, here is a list of the top 10 best baby shower gifts!

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1. Favours For Mum And Dad

Once the newborn comes, it's going to be a heck of a whirlwind for all these mums and dads – and there is a big chance that these folks won't know how to handle things right away. This is where you come in.

Can't decide what to get your friend? Don't feel funny showing up empty-handed if your love language is your acts of service. One great gift is to offer a helping hand to your friends-turned-parents on the little things: Walk their dog, remind them to pay their bills on time, or maybe even help out with the groceries every once in a while. But this depends on how close you are to the parents-to-be.

2. Warm, Homemade Meals

New parents may forget to cook or even eat. A practical gift is bringing or sharing some of your home-cooked meals with them. You could also invite them over for quick dinners so you can help them regain their social life. This could also serve as a break from the hustle and bustle of parenthood.

Grilled chicken breast, rice and salad in a white bowl

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3. Matching Baby Hampers

For twins, nothing would be more adorable than matching clothes! That's why one of our highly recommended baby shower present ideas is a baby hamper fit for twin babies. They aren't even difficult to find, you can buy them online for $USD139 (or $AUD204) at Perfect Little Bundles , and have them shipped straight to your front door!

4. Sweet-Tooth Gift Baskets

As advertised on their website, Gourmet Basket provides different kinds of gift baskets depending on the personality of the mum or dad – which range from $USD69 ($AUD101) to over a thousand dollars.

Though they have various wine and cheese baskets, we suggest you try their sweet treats basket that's just full of chocolates and cookies, all perfectly placed in one pretty box. With all that sugar intake, the parents will be as wide awake as the baby!

5. Pamper Packages

New parents won't have time to treat themselves to any R&R since most of their time will be devoted to the baby. This pamper package from Silverstork is considered one of the best baby shower gift ideas in Australia because you can even get the package the moment your friend finds out they're pregnant!

Silverstork has customised subscriptions depending on the mum's trimester. You can also get all three variations plus a "get ready box" in one bundle for $USD780 ($AUD1,143)!

Check out their packages here.

6. The Gift Of Music

Baby rattles are timeless gifts for boys and girls. They introduce sounds, rhythm to the baby and give them something to play with while the parents are busy. You can get them in cute designs through Kate Inglish Designs . One advantage of buying from this brand? Even if the rattle costs just $USD16 ($AUD23), you can use Afterpay to settle your payment in four instalments!

7. Mum Chic Gifts

For girls who aren't ready to change their sense of style just because they're now mums, this unique gift is perfect: The Skip Hop Pronto Mini Changer, which you can buy on Amazon for $USD50 ($AUD73).

It comes with a laminated surface that you only have to wipe to clean, and a pillow to keep your newborn comfortable. There are seven designs to choose from, each one for the modern-day mum or dad.

8. Grey Gifts For Mum And Baby

When you think unisex, classic grey immediately comes to mind. It is sleek, blends with your other décor, and it makes the simplest items look expensive.

Baby Bunting offers a dirty diaper disposal bin for almost a hundred dollars ($AUD146). The Ubbi Nappy Bin is said to give you " all the style and none of the smell " – what a bargain!

9. Baby Monitors For Safe and Sound Kids

First-time parents are said to be over-worriers, and who can blame them? Luckily, for the price of $USD49 ($AUD72), you can keep an ear on your baby no matter where you are in the house with the VTech Safe & Sound Audio Monitor BM1100 from Kmart .

Though the baby monitor requires a plugged-in connection, the handheld device of the parent has rechargeable batteries that can last for up to 14 hours straight!

Baby looking over fence of cot

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10. The 'Freedom To Choose' Gift

If none of these options spoke to you or if all else fails, gift cards are your best baby shower gift ideas. A good source would be Myer because it's practical. Their gift cards come as cheap as 5 dollars and the recipient gets the freedom to choose what they want based on what they need too!

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