Baby Sprinkle Gift Ideas: What to Get the Baby Who Has (Almost) Everything

Oh, fun! You’ve been invited to a baby sprinkle—a “baby shower lite” experience that aims to bring the parents’ closest friends and relatives together to celebrate new life, rather than to offer advice or shower the family with gifts.

But that doesn’t mean gift giving is completely off the table. Here, we’ll go over gift-giving etiquette and outline when you should bring a present and what kinds of gifts are appropriate, given the circumstances. Check out our recommendations, drawn from expert sources like Greenvelope, Moms and Crafters and the Parenting Style Blog.

Table of contents

• Sprinkle gift FAQ
• General gift ideas
• Second baby-specific ideas
• For the boys
• For the girls
• For the parents-to-be

Baby sprinkle gift ideas FAQ

Before we get into the actual ideas, here are some answers to commonly asked questions about baby sprinkle gift giving that will help you to plan the perfect present.

Should I bring a gift to a baby sprinkle?

As a general rule of thumb, if you have not received specific gift guidance from the host of the sprinkle or via the invitation, you should plan to bring a small present. For sprinkles, the most common gifts that are appropriate for every situation are consumable items. Think diapers, wipes and other toiletry supplies like baby wash and shampoo.

If the new baby is the first boy or first girl born to the parents, you can also choose to bring a gift that’s more gender-focused, such as clothing or toys in stereotypical colors or styles.

If the soon-to-arrive bundle of joy is either very close in age to—or very far apart in age from—their siblings, it’s possible that larger, more expensive items could be appropriate. For example, if an older sibling is still young enough to be using a crib, car seat or stroller, parents will need duplicates for the new baby. Conversely, if there’s a large age gap between the baby and their siblings, the parents might have gotten rid of those items, meaning they’d need new ones.

Often, parents do not create registries for baby sprinkles. However, if there is one enclosed with the invitation, use that to see what would be most useful to them.

How much should I spend on a baby sprinkle gift?

How much to spend on baby sprinkle gifts is totally up to you. For a baby sprinkle, smaller and less expensive gifts are usually the way to go, but, according to Emily Post Etiquette, if the parents are in need of a larger or pricier item, you can always split the cost with others who are attending and give the gift together. In this situation, as in most cases where gifts are customary, it’s the thought that counts, rather than the price tag.

Can I buy the baby’s mother a gift?

Buying a gift for the baby’s mother is a thoughtful idea that would likely be well received. But, unless you’ve been expressly told (either by the host or a note included with the invitation) that no gifts are required, you should also plan to take something small for the baby in addition to whatever you choose as a gift for the mother or the parents at large.

General baby sprinkle gift ideas

There are some gift ideas that are universally great for babies. For the purposes of a sprinkle, they include small but practical necessities that won’t drain your wallet. Here are a few examples that are appropriate if the baby will be the second child in the family.

Personalized bibs and burp cloths

Babies are messy, and as all parents know, you can never have too many ways to try to minimize the mess. Bibs and burp cloths are two great ways to do that, and they make terrific sprinkle gifts that don’t cost a fortune. For more personalized options, consider purchasing them from a store that offers monogram or name personalization.

Diapers, diaper cream and wipes

We dare you to name something babies use more often than diapers; the list is sure to be small. Diapers and related items like wipes, powders and diaper cream are some of the gifts most gratefully received by parents of new babies.

Baby shampoo, wash and lotion

Worried everyone will bring diapers? Consider other consumable items that babies need frequently, such as mild soaps and lotions that are designed for delicate newborn skin.

New pacifiers

Even if there’s already been a baby in the house, pacifiers can wear out or simply become unsanitary over time. They also make great small gifts that are super affordable, and they’re available in a variety of styles and colors.

A book with a note from you

A recent trend—for both baby showers and sprinkles—is for guests to bring books instead of cards. Choose your favorite childhood tale, and write a special inscription inside the front cover. Books are practical, educational and sentimental gifts that children can enjoy for years after they’re gifted.

Baby sprinkle gift ideas—second baby

Needs for the second child in a household can vary, based on how old the other siblings are. Here are some second-baby gift ideas that could apply if the new baby is either very close in age or very far away in age from their sibling(s).

Stroller or double stroller

If this is the parents’ second baby and the baby’s sibling is still using a stroller, the family will be in need of either another one or a double one that can seat both children for easier handling.

Car seat

This is a gift to consider if the baby’s older sibling is still using the car seat the parents already have. In this case, the baby will need their own. If you want something practical, there are several models available that can convert as the child grows so that parents don’t need different seats from newborn to toddler to young child.

Crib

This is only a good idea if the parents only have one crib and the baby’s older sibling is still using it. If the parents have a crib on their registry, use that to determine the type of crib to buy. Otherwise, try to find out what they want the nursery to look like and what color they prefer.

Stroller board

For parents who already have a stroller and a slightly older child who doesn’t necessarily like sitting in it, consider a stroller board. Stroller boards attach to strollers to allow extra seating for older kids. This eliminates the need for buying a second stroller or a double stroller, which can be a lot more expensive.

Baby sprinkle gift ideas for boys

When you search for “baby sprinkle gift ideas for boys,” you’ll often see the same themes pop up—lots of blue, sports motifs, and miniature trucks. While those can be fun (and some parents genuinely love them), they’re also rooted in long-standing gender stereotypes. The truth is, a great sprinkle gift for a boy doesn’t have to follow a formula.

Whether you lean into traditional styles or prefer something more neutral and versatile, the goal is the same: to choose something thoughtful, useful, and worth celebrating. Below, you’ll find a mix of classic boy-themed picks to get the ideas flowing.

Baby boy clothes

If this is the first boy in the family, he’s going to need some clothes of his very own. Whether you choose to keep them neutral—think green, yellow, orange, cream, brown beige, black and gray—or opt for more traditionally blue-colored duds (or clothes themed with sports, dinosaurs, cars, etc.), his parents are sure to appreciate the gesture.

Toy trucks, planes, trains or cars

If you’d rather contribute a toy gift for the little man, consider things like toy trucks, cars, planes or trains or puzzles that feature all of those elements. Although he won’t be able to use them right away, they’ll be great to have in the nursery for when he’s old enough.

Sports equipment

We know what you’re thinking: He’s too young for this, too. But there are several options that range from plush baseballs, footballs and basketballs to actual wooden baseball bats that serve more to mark the occasion with engraving than to be used for play.

Stuffed toys

Consider a cuddly stuffed creature for the new baby boy. Perhaps select a dragon, dinosaur, lion, elephant or giraffe to be his buddy, or go with a classic teddy bear in any number of colors. They make great nursery decorations, as well as toys, and they’re likely to be around for years.

Baby sprinkle gift ideas for girls

When it comes to baby sprinkle gift ideas for girls, the usual suspects tend to surface—pink everything, bows on top of bows, and plenty of frills. Those can be adorable (and many families embrace them wholeheartedly), but they, too, come from long-standing gender traditions. 

In reality, the best sprinkle gifts for a girl don’t have to follow a single style. Whether you love the sweetness of those classic touches or prefer something more neutral and adaptable, the aim is to find something meaningful, practical, and worth treasuring. Below, you’ll find some timeless girl-themed favorites.

Baby girl clothes

If the guest of honor is about to have their first baby girl, opt for frilly, girly outfits or onesies in traditional pink and purple hues. Or, stick to more neutral colors that can be worn by boys or girls—especially if you suspect the parents might eventually want to expand their family even further.

Headbands or bows

Consider tiny, soft headbands and other cutesy headpieces—perhaps paired with a matching outfit—that will help the new baby girl feel bonita. Clip-in bows are also an option and might be a bit more comfortable to wear than headbands.

A doll or princess stuffed animal

Give the little princess a friend to love with a plush princess of her very own. Or, instead, select a doll—either a porcelain collectible one to decorate her nursery or a toy doll that she can play with when she’s a little older.

An engraved music box

For a thoughtful gift that baby girl can keep well into adulthood, consider something beautiful and timeless like a music box. Choose a song that means something to you or one that you think captures the essence of little girls. Make it an extra-special gift by having it engraved.

Baby sprinkle gift ideas for Mom and Dad

If you’re planning to pick up a present for the parents-to-be-again, here are a few recommendations that are likely to be lifesavers.

Gift cards for food delivery

Let’s face it: Having kids is hard, and having more than one is harder. Frazzled parents who are short on sleep and high on stress will appreciate not having to cook dinner for themselves and their other kid(s) on top of changing diapers and warming bottles. A gift card to Uber Eats or DoorDash or to a local restaurant that offers delivery is a great way to support them as their family grows.

Gift cards for manis, pedis or massages

If you’d rather gift the parents something they’d never think to buy for themselves, why not treat them to a spa treatment. There’s nothing like a manicure, pedicure, facial or massage to help you feel brand-new when the world is hectic.

A themed basket of relaxation supplies/self-care kit

If a spa treatment is out of your budget, put together a “pamper basket” that includes a pack of Pampers for the kiddo and items that will allow for do-it-yourself relaxation that the parents can enjoy at home. Include things like aromatherapy sprays, scented candles, bubble bath or bath bombs, and fancy soap and lotion.

A bottle of wine, champagne or liquor

We know alcohol is a no-no during pregnancy, but the parents would, no doubt, appreciate ingredients to make their favorite drink(s) after the baby is born. This could be as simple as a bottle of wine or champagne, or as elaborate as a basket that includes glasses, mixers and their liquor of choice.

Coupons for babysitting

Coupon books aren’t just for little kids to gift their parents. You can gift them to parents, too. Use a computer to design coupons that entitle the parents to complimentary babysitting services for the new baby, the older child, or both. The first option allows parents to spend time focused on their first child, which is important as they adjust to having a new sibling. The second potentially means the parents get a break from running the older child(ren) to piano lessons, soccer practice and everything in between. The last option offers parents time to reconnect over dinner or even a weekend away together.

A getaway

Speaking of weekends away together, plan a girlfriends’ getaway for the new mom and her friends, a group outing for the new baby’s parents and their friends, or a rejuvenating, restful couples’ weekend for the expectant parents. Whichever option you choose, there’s a venue to accommodate it. Consider a bookable mansion for a larger group or a private home—perhaps with a pool, fire pit or barbecue grill—that would be perfect for the event.

Planning a perfect sprinkle

Whether you’re the one planning the baby sprinkle or just attending one, Peerspace is your go-to for baby sprinkle etiquette advice and venues with bookable spaces to serve just about every taste.

Need a lush garden, an artist’s studio or a flexible modern warehouse space to execute your vision? It’s all here, along with properties—including private homes and mansions—that, unlike Airbnb, allow celebrations. No matter your needs, let Peerspace help guide you to the perfect baby sprinkle location.