Why Traditional Baby Shower Gifts Are Missing the Mark — And What You Can Give Instead

Posted on 23 July 2025 by Marcus Williams — 4 min

Ever felt stuck wondering what to gift at a baby shower? You’re not alone. A recent piece from Slate titled “Traditional Baby Shower Gifts All Have the Same Problem. There’s a Solution That Doesn’t Require Buying From the Registry.” highlights a widespread frustration: the typical baby shower gift rack often ends up cluttered or unhelpful, missing the deeper needs of parents-to-be, especially those navigating the complex journey to conception.

If you think baby shower gifts are just cute clothes or gadgets, this article challenges that notion — and so should we.

The Problem With Traditional Baby Shower Gifts

Prudie’s insightful reply to readers points out a key issue: many gifts don’t address the real emotional or practical challenges parents face. For couples or individuals undergoing fertility treatments or at-home conception efforts, these “standard” items can feel disconnected from their reality.

But what if gifts could offer not just joy, but meaningful support? What if they recognized that conception is often a journey marked by resilience, hope, and sometimes, heartbreak?

Rethinking Gift-Giving Through the Fertility Lens

Whether it’s family, friends, or partners wanting to show love, there’s an opportunity to give gifts that empower and encourage those working toward pregnancy — especially at home. That’s where innovations like MakeAMom’s at-home insemination kits come in.

MakeAMom offers reusable, thoughtfully designed insemination kits tailored to a variety of fertility needs: low-volume or frozen sperm with the CryoBaby kit, low motility sperm with the Impregnator kit, and specialized options for users with sensitivities, such as vaginismus, through the BabyMaker kit. These kits provide an accessible, discreet, and cost-effective alternative to clinical insemination procedures.

Imagine gifting a resource like this: it’s not just a tool but a symbol of hope and autonomy for those on their unique path to parenthood.

Why At-Home Fertility Solutions Make Meaningful Gifts

Empowerment: Taking control of conception can be life-affirming during what can feel like a challenging process.
Privacy and Comfort: Home insemination allows couples to work in a safe, private environment, reducing stress and anxiety.
Cost-Effectiveness: Kits like those from MakeAMom are reusable and more affordable than repeated clinical visits.
High Success Rates: With an average 67% success rate reported by MakeAMom, these kits stand as effective alternatives to traditional methods.

How You Can Support Loved Ones Beyond the Registry

If you’re invited to a baby shower and want to offer something truly valuable, here are some thoughtful alternatives:

Gift At-Home Insemination Kits: A practical, hopeful gift for those open to fertility assistance at home.
Offer Emotional Support: Fertility journeys can be lonely; thoughtful notes, check-ins, or joining support communities can mean the world.
Help With Resources: Sharing trusted information, expert guidance, or connecting them with fertility-focused organizations.

The Bigger Picture: A Shift Toward Inclusive and Supportive Parenting Celebrations

The Slate article is a wake-up call to reconsider how we celebrate and support new families. It invites us to think beyond the registry and really listen to what future parents need — whether it’s practical tools, emotional backup, or simply acknowledgment of their unique stories.

By gently integrating innovative fertility technologies and thoughtful gifts, we pave the way for a more compassionate, understanding approach to parenthood celebrations.

Ready to rethink your next baby shower gift? Explore MakeAMom’s comprehensive range of at-home insemination kits and discover how you might offer more than just a present — a hopeful new beginning.

And after you read the Slate article, tell us: what’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever given or received on a fertility or baby journey? Share your story in the comments below — your insight could be the inspiration someone needs today.