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

Posted on 28 July 2025 by Priya Menon — 4 min

Ever find yourself at a baby shower wondering if the bottle warmer you just bought will ever get used? You’re not alone. A recent Slate article titled Traditional Baby Shower Gifts All Have the Same Problem. There’s a Solution That Doesn’t Require Buying From the Registry dives headfirst into a problem every gift-giver faces: How do you give a meaningful gift that truly supports new parents — without just adding to the mountain of stuff they never wanted in the first place?

Let’s be honest, baby registries are fantastic for making sure parents get the essentials, but they can also turn gift-givers into robotic order fillers. The problem? So many traditional shower gifts are either unnecessary duplicates or anonymous, impersonal items that do little to ease the emotional and physical journey of parenthood.

So what’s the alternative? The Slate article’s Prudie offers a refreshing solution — gifts that actually support the parents in ways that go beyond the typical onesies and pacifiers. Think personalized care, emotional support, or practical help that respects the parents’ unique journey.

And here’s where things get interesting for those navigating fertility and early pregnancy, especially if you or your loved ones are exploring alternative paths like at-home insemination. That’s an area where thoughtful support can make a massive difference.

Imagine gifting a helping hand with a resource that empowers individuals and couples to take the reins in their fertility journey without the clinical overwhelm: at-home insemination kits designed with comfort, privacy, and success in mind.

For instance, MakeAMom (check out their website here) specializes in just that — offering kits tailored for everything from low sperm motility to sensitivity challenges like vaginismus. Not only are these kits reusable and cost-effective, but they also come discreetly packaged to honor privacy — a priceless gift when navigating such an intimate experience.

Why is this such a game-changer?

Personalized Support: Unlike generic gifts, they provide tangible help for very specific fertility needs.
Comfort Focus: Designed to reduce stress and discomfort during insemination, addressing a real gap in much of the fertility market.
Privacy and Empowerment: Packages arrive plain, and users gain control over their reproductive journey in their own space.

This kind of gift says, “I see you, and I support your unique path to parenthood.” And let’s be honest, isn’t that what every new or expecting parent deserves?

But here’s the kicker: this idea works even if you’re not at a baby shower.

Supporting friends and family who are trying to conceive — especially through less traditional methods — can be tricky. You don’t want to overstep, but you want to help. A thoughtful, well-researched resource like MakeAMom’s kits can open up those conversations gently, making a real difference in ways that a crib mobile just can’t.

So next time you’re scratching your head over what to get the soon-to-be parents in your life, consider the power of gifts that blend practicality with empathy. Skip the registry autopilot and invite real connection by choosing something that supports comfort, privacy, and success in fertility.

And hey, wanting to dive deeper? The original Slate article is a fantastic primer on the pitfalls of baby shower gifting and smart, heart-led alternatives. You can read it right here.

In the end, it’s not just about the gift, but the message it sends: You care, you understand, and you’re here to support this beautiful, complex journey — one thoughtful choice at a time.

What’s the most memorable baby or fertility gift you’ve ever received or given? Drop your stories below — let’s lift each other up with ideas and inspiration!