What do I give people for baby showers? All my friends are in high-alert breeding mode right now so this comes up a lot. Here are the tried and trues. No need to reinvent the wheel each time, people. Just keep a dozen or so of these items in your linen closet and haul one out when a friend or loved one is about to spawn.


Rookie Moms Handbook



Now this just came out, but is already getting some slammin' press and reviews. It is an awesome book to give to a new mom, especially one of those hella clueless ones who have NO IDEA about the crazy s***storm that their life is about to become.  It is based upon the humorous and oh-so-inventive and helpful Rookie Moms website. I of course personally know the authors, Heather and Whitney, but to tell you the truth, they are huge beeyotches. Just kidding! But I thought you might think I was less biased if I dissed them. They are really nice people and also quite attractive. And, their kids are pretty cool too which is always a good sign when considering taking someone's advice about motherhood. Anyway this is a great shower gift because it tells you REALISTIC things to do when you have a baby of varying age and size, which is helpful because that is  totally what babies do- they grow into larger ages and sizes ALL THE TIME. I took this book with me on the bus and even though my biological clock is currently on "snooze" I know that when I do finally give in to the pressure and get those zygotes multiplying, I will definitely appreciate having this thoughtful, hilarious, helpful, modern take on motherhood by my side to help me get through it all.

Also, it's printed in very pretty colors.

See how cool Whitney and Heather (and therefore how cool I am, transitively, for knowing them) at RookieMoms.com then buy the Rookie Moms Handbook on Amazon.



Oopa Baby Sling



This is a TOTALLY impractical gift and I bet a lot of real mothers think it's silly but these slings are SO. INSANELY. GORGEOUS that I find them hard to pass up. Because when you have a baby, why not swath them in a $150 handmade silk sling? What, your baby's not WORTH IT? This is something a mother would NEVER buy for herself which also gives it points in my book.

Check out the range of colors and styles at OopaBaby. Prices range from $79 for a chambray sling to $349 for a cashmere sling.


Anything from Giant Robot or Sons and Daughters


This will require more time because you will get caught up in browsing the awesomeness and trying to decide what to get, but it may just pay off in the end.


MailboxTees Tiny Babies Subscription


I'm not really into shameless self-promotion, but it seemed weird not to mention. (I also give this gift because for me, it's actually, like, free.) You get 2 designs from Social Studies, 2 from Xenos Designs. They get bigger as they baby gets bigger.

Buy a 4-month subscription here for $78.