Giving a personalized baby gift shows you took the time to think ahead about the perfect present for baby. Your gift today could turn into a special keepsake or heirloom down the road.

Baby Blanket in Blue or Pink:

Parents often have little idea just how useful those blankets will become. They can be used to swaddle the baby and help her sleep. If you've ever had a newborn, then you know how precious (and rare) sleep can be. Swaddling a baby often calms them. Blankets can be tucked around the baby in the car seat when going from place to place, hung to shield the baby from too much sun, and even used them in the house on chillier days.

Baby Quilt:

A beautiful baby quilt can be used as a wall hanging in the nursery while the baby is a newborn. Once she or he can use a blanket, this will make a cozy part of their nighttime routine or a place for them to lie in the grass. These come in all kinds of colors if you want to get something beyond the traditional pink or blue.

Silver Photo Album:

This unique gift will be a keepsake for when the little baby grows up. Their name and birth date can be engraved on the front to make it special. If you want to add an extra touch to this gift, you can add in a gift certificate to a photo processing store.

Photo Frame:

Every parent takes hundreds of photos of the new baby, and they need an attractive place to put the pictures! A personalized photo frame will stand out from the rest.

Baby Hat:

You can’t go wrong with the utility of a warm hat. Lots of heat escapes from the head. Placing a hat on the baby can really keep them warm on those cooler days. Little hats are cute, too!

Have fun when you select your baby gift for the mother-to-be. Think about her taste and try to find out the color scheme for the nursery if you can.

By Deborah Nelson