22 Creative Baby Gifts to Buy or DIY

Kate Thorn
Jul 10, 2014

Whether you’re shopping for yourself, a friend or a family member, congratulations! It seems like everyone is announcing a pregnancy, and it’s time to start thinking about all those baby shower gifts we’re going to give. We’ve got an idea for every little one and all the new parents on your list. From crafty to cute, techy to a little bit crazy, we’ve come up with 22 creative baby shower gifts that are colorful, charming and more useful than the mountain of blankets and itty bitty things those tiny babes will grow out of in a week.

1. Circus Animal Jars: You can paint these awesome jars any color you want, from bold primary colors to glam golds and pinks. Fill them with pacifiers or baby socks to gift, and then Mom can fill them with snacks or stuff for the changing table! (via Evermine)

2. Fabric Blocks: Cover little foam cubes with colorful pieces of fabric for a gift that will last from teething to the building block stage. (via Mimi Matriarchin)

3. Crochet Teething Ring ($17): No toxic plastic for an all-natural baby! With securely attached woolen yarn, this pretty wooden teething toy is a safe play option. And it’s ombre!

4. Quilted Playmat: A playmat makes a great gift for any time of year. You can throw it on the grass in August or lay it on the living room floor in December. It comes together really quickly since it’s not basted, and is completely washable. (via The Purl Bee)

5. Paper Crane Mobile ($43): Every nursery needs some ceiling decor, and this pretty mobile is subtle, simple and classy.

6. Mounted Stuffed Animal Head ($158): Trendy baby definitely requires some faux taxidermy in the nursery!

7. Sock Monkey and Friend: Sock monkeys are a classic and super adorable project. Once you’ve mastered the fine art of the sock monkey, you can make variations to create some friends like this cute raccoon! (via A Beautiful Mess)

8. Iiamo Go Self-Heating Bottle ($28): Ideal for the parents who are always on the go, this bottle will warm up milk to a perfect 98 degrees in only four minutes. It doesn’t require electricity, so it’s a must-have for travel or to avoid those late night treks to the kitchen.

9. Disco Jelly Bean ($80): Doesn’t this just look like the most comfortable thing in the world? We are a little jealous of baby…

10. Baby Bullet ($59): Huge props to the mom who is committed to making all-natural baby food, and this little Bullet blender will make her life just a teeny bit easier. Its three-piece batch bowl is perfect for blending large quantities of baby food + it comes with six small, resealable cups to keep food fresh while traveling.

11. Bloomin’ Onesies: Get creative with this flowering basket. Pick a variety of colorful onesies ranging from 3-12 months for the gift that keeps on giving. (Club Chica Circle)

12. Fortune Cookie Booties ($29): These are the reason people have babies… so we can buy adorable fortune cookie booties that even come with good fortunes!

13. Sophie the Giraffe ($20): Hailed as the world’s only 100% natural rubber teething toy, and the most gifted baby item on Amazon, Sophie the Giraffe has been called a miracle worker for grumpy, teething babies.

14. Infantino Squeeze Station ($25): The Squeeze Station is a one-stop solution that presses delicious, homemade baby food into easy-to-store, ready-to-serve pouches. A super idea for taking snacks on the go, without needing spoons or bowls. This device will come in handy long into the toddler years.

15. Halo Sleep Sack ($22-25): As much as we adore beautiful baby blankets, the safest bed for a newborn is one without any blankets or pillows. A cozy sleep sack is a wise choice for keeping baby protected and warm.

16. Wooden iPhone Teether ($12): We can’t decide if this is hilarious or ridiculous. We’ll let you be the judge.

17. Burt’s Bees for Baby ($36): There is nothing better than soft, soft baby skin, and here is a lovely gift set to keep their skin as soft and natural as the day they were born. This bundle even includes a little surprise for Mom.

18. Hand Stamped Onesie: We love us a good onesie, and this hand-stamped DIY is sure to keep any little one headed in the right direction. Once you learn how easy stamping is, you might want even to create some matching leggings and a couple bibs! (via For The Love Of)

19. Blank Canvas Bib ($15): Every meal is a masterpiece with this funny bib. Printed with a gallery scene, silhouetted figures stare up at baby’s dribble du jour.

20. Sequin Heart Headband: Too. Much. Cute. Also, this is really easy to make, so you can gift one in every color! (via Hello Bee)

21. DIY Pacifier Clips: All you need is some colorful ribbon and mitten clips for these trendy pacifier clips. (via Project Nursery)

22. Cloud Moon Star Mobile: Only sweet dreams happen under this delicate, nocturnal mobile. (via Vortellung Van Schon)

What do you think of these fun baby gifts? Will you be buying or DIY-ing for your next baby shower? Let us know in the comments below!

12 "Empowering" Books With Strong Female Leads To Read In 2025

This Women’s History Month, celebrate strong, complex, and unforgettable female characters who challenge the status quo. These books with strong female leads span centuries and continents, offering a powerful look at resilience, rebellion, and reinvention. Whether you’re in the mood for historical heroines seeking justice, fierce detectives uncovering dangerous secrets, or contemporary women navigating love, loss, and identity, these must-reads showcase the many ways women carve their own paths — no matter the obstacles in their way. So here are all the books with strong female leads we're excited about this year!

Scroll to see all the empowering new books you should read with strong female leads in 2025!

Amazon

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

Nineteen-year-old Sarah Bonetta Forbes, once a princess of the Egbado Clan, wants revenge against the British Crown. Stolen from her homeland and turned into royal property, she vows to destroy those responsible, starting with her own godmother, Queen Victoria. To bring down the monarchy, Sally must navigate court politics, manipulate the Queen’s inner circle, and align with a dangerous London crime lord. She even exploits the affections of Prince Albert, using him as a pawn in her deadly game. But when Queen Victoria forces her into marriage, Sally faces an impossible choice. With her freedom slipping away and her heart on the line, she must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice for vengeance.

Amazon

An Intrigue of Witches by Esme Addison

History professor Sidney Taylor is stuck shuffling papers in DC after an inconvenient discovery stalls her career. When an anonymous invitation offers a million-dollar reward to find a missing artifact in Robbinsville, North Carolina, she can’t resist — especially with a chance to visit her grandmother. Following centuries-old clues, Sidney embarks on a thrilling treasure hunt, but soon realizes she’s entangled in a dangerous conspiracy. As secret societies, ancient bloodlines, and witches come into play, she uncovers a truth that shakes her to the core. What she finds isn’t just an artifact — it’s a revelation that threatens the very foundation of America itself.

Amazon

Kinda Koreanby Joan Sung

In this powerful coming-of-age memoir, Joan Sung reflects on her Korean American identity while learning to forgive her Tiger Mom. Raised in a home shaped by intergenerational trauma, Sung bravely breaks the silence that haunts her family. With honesty and courage, she shares her journey of growing up with a mother who struggled to understand American society. As she navigates the challenges of being both Korean and American, Sung exposes the microaggressions, fetishization, and racism she faced. She connects her personal experiences with the broader issues affecting Asian American communities, exploring how the COVID pandemic brought long-standing violence and discrimination to the forefront.

Amazon

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine

Junie, a sixteen-year-old enslaved on Bellereine Plantation, has lived her life tending to the white master’s daughter, Violet, and grieving the death of her sister, Minnie. When guests arrive from New Orleans, bringing changes to Violet’s life, Junie’s world is turned upside down. In an act of desperation, Junie awakens Minnie’s ghost, and her sister remains tethered to the living world unless Junie can release her. With the help of Caleb, the coachman, Junie discovers hidden secrets about Bellereine. As the Civil War looms, she faces a life-altering choice about love, freedom, and the sacrifices she must make in the fight for her future.

Amazon

Fog and Fury by Rachel Howzell Hall (July 1, 2025)

After a decade with the LAPD, Sonny Rush moves to quiet Haven, California, to care for her mother and join her godfather’s PI business. Her first case finding a missing goldendoodle with a Versace collar seems harmless enough. But Figgy’s disappearance quickly leads to an unexpected reunion with her wealthy ex and a much darker mystery. When a teenage boy’s body is found on a popular trail, Sonny realizes Haven is not as idyllic as it seems. As she digs deeper, she uncovers secrets more twisted than anything she encountered in LA. A cryptic warning from a local makes one thing clear. In Haven, nothing is what it seems and finding the truth might cost Sonny everything.

Amazon

(S)Kin by Ibi Zoboi

Two teenagers connected through family secrets and ancient magic unite in Ibi Zoboi’s new novel. Fifteen-year-old Marisol is the daughter of a soucouyant, a fireball witch who must feed off the lives of others every new moon. She hoped their old traditions would be left behind when they emigrated from the islands, but her mother keeps her bound to her magical past. Brooklyn isn’t a place for witches, with its bright lights and locked doors. Seventeen-year-old Genevieve, struggling with a worsening skin condition, longs for answers about her estranged mother. When a new nanny arrives to care for her family’s twins, a hidden connection to Marisol is revealed. As the girls uncover secrets, they realize that their magic, hidden beneath their skin, may prove more destructive than they imagined.

Amazon

Cover Story by Celia Laskey (March 25, 2025)

Ali is a Hollywood publicist responsible for keeping gay celebrities in the closet, which is ironic since she is a lesbian herself. When she is assigned rising star Cara Bisset, whose breakout role is in a straight romantic blockbuster, managing Cara’s image becomes her toughest job yet. Cara is bold and unwilling to hide who she is, leading to a series of close calls. Ali is sent on a global press tour to keep her in line but instead finds herself drawn to Cara’s confidence. Still grieving the loss of her partner, Ali begins questioning the closeting system she has upheld. As Cara’s fame grows, they must decide whether to play it safe or risk everything for love.

Amazon

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick (April 22, 2025)

Margaret Ryan has the perfect life by 1960s standards—three children, a husband, and a home in a suburban neighborhood. But when she meets Charlotte Gustafson, the newest neighbor, Margaret is pulled into a life-changing journey. She starts a book club, inviting Charlotte and two other women, Bitsy and Viv, to read The Feminine Mystique. As the women bond over the book, they begin to realize that the American dream they were sold doesn’t fulfill their deeper desires. Together, they form a strong sisterhood and unknowingly set off a feminist revolution.

Amazon

Portrait of a Feminist by Marianna Marlowe

In Portrait of a Feminist, Peruvian American feminist Marianna Marlowe shares her journey from childhood in California, Peru, and Ecuador to adulthood as an academic, wife, and mother. Through braided memories, she explores the development of her feminist identity and the influence of patriarchy in her life. Marlowe examines the challenges of growing up in a family shaped by cultural and religious differences, confronting issues like misogyny, unequal marriages, and class structures. With insightful writing, she reflects on how feminism has shaped her and raises critical questions about its future evolution and relevance in today’s world.

Amazon

Isola by Allegra Goodman

Marguerite’s life of privilege is shattered when she is orphaned, and her guardian squanders her inheritance. Forced to accompany him on an expedition to New France, their journey takes a tragic turn. Marguerite is accused of betrayal, brutally punished, and abandoned on a remote island. Stripped of her former life and surrounded by harsh elements, she must rely on her inner strength and a newfound faith to survive. As the island is blanketed in ice, Marguerite’s fight for survival becomes a testament to resilience and defiance. Isola is a captivating historical epic inspired by the real-life struggles of a sixteenth-century heroine, Marguerite de La Rocque.

Amazon

The Widow’s Webby Susan Moore

When tech mogul Brad Jones is found drowned off the Marin coast, his death is ruled a suicide. But his wife, Dr. Anna Jones, a renowned cyber-psychologist, suspects foul play. Driven by grief and doubt, she begins to investigate Brad’s past, uncovering secrets that lead her into the world of Silicon Valley’s elite. As Anna digs deeper, she crosses paths with Scott and Kristy Lyle, powerful figures with high-level connections. The more Anna uncovers, the more she realizes Brad’s death is linked to a dark secret that powerful people will kill to protect. Caught between truth and danger, Anna must decide if she will risk everything to expose the deadly forces at play.

Amazon

Shooting Stars Above by Patricia Leavy

Tess Lee is a world-famous novelist whose books inspire people to believe in hope, yet she struggles to find own happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent working in counterterrorism, scarred by years of violence and dedication to his job. When Tess and Jack meet, their connection is instant, but old wounds soon resurface. Jack struggles with the loss of a loved one, and Tess faces her painful childhood. As they struggle with their pasts, they must decide if unconditional love can heal their invisible scars and help them find light after years of darkness.

Looking for more books to add to your shelf? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get all our fave recs!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Gigi Hadid Finally Shares How She Met Bradley Cooper — & All About Their "Very Romantic" Relationship

Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper are historically private when it comes to the ins-and-outs of their relationship, but Gigi just gave us a peak behind the curtain in a recent interview with Vogue. Gigi gave some rare details on their "very romantic" relationship, and she finally revealed how she actually met the Silver Linings Playbook actor. Here's everything we found out!

Scroll to find out how Gigi Hadid met Bradley Cooper!

Gigi told Vogue that she and Bradley met during a birthday party for one of their mutual friend's children — sounds pretty normal, right? I mean, so far as normal gets when two major celebrities show up to the same party. But still, Gigi deems it normal.

“You want to give yourself a normal experience of dating, and even for my friends who aren’t public figures, that’s hard. Where do you go? And, what? You just start talking to people?" she said. "And then there’s another added layer of privacy and security. You want to believe that people are going to have your back and not call TMZ or go on Deuxmoi or whatever, but you just don’t know.”

Since meeting, Gigi said she and Bradley are "very romantic and happy" — something she definitely values in her relationship. “I think just getting to the point where knowing what you want and deserve in a relationship is essential, and then to find someone that is in a place in their life where they know what they want and deserve…and you both do work separately to come together and be the best partner that you can be," she explained. "I just feel really lucky. Yeah, lucky’s the word."

And at the end of the day, Gigi said that Bradley gives her "so much" encouragement and belief. She said, “For those people you admire to encourage you, it can create so much belief in yourself."

We love to see a mature, supportive, adult relationship like this thrive! Here's to seeing what's next for these two love birds!

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This 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Theory Teases Who Belly Ends Up With — & It Would Change EVERYTHING

The Summer I Turned Pretty fans, we finally have an update on our favorite show! Prime Video just announced that season 3, starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno will be coming in July — and that this season (which has 3 extra episodes, FYI!) will be the show's final season. But while fans weren't too surprised by the announcement (Jenny Han only wrote three books, after all), there's one detail of the official season 3 poster that has TV fans in a tizzy.

Keep reading for a breakdown of the craziest The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 theory yet.

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' fans can't wait to return to Cousins

The official TSITP account posted the poster for season 3 on March 7, confirming the next episodes were dropping in July. "Summer is just a season away," the caption reads. "The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 premieres this July on Prime Video."

And fans immediately flooded the comments cheering for Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, saying everything from "Prepares to defend Conrad for one last summer" to "WHERE ARE ALL THE JELLY SUPORTERS COME ON GUYS WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT."

Even Spotify's Instagram picked a side by commenting, "team conrad we have WAITED for this day."

But some eagle-eyed fans picked up on one detail about the poster that's different than season 1 and 2: Belly's by herself.

@thesummeriturnedpretty

We'll always have summer ☀️

♬ original sound - the summer i turned pretty

While the poster for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1 features Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah with the summer house in the background, and the main poster for season 2 features the trio sitting on the beach, The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 poster features Belly standing by herself in front of a bush of hydrangeas. Because, y'all, Belly is in bloom.

She's not the same girl she was at the start of the series — and even if she still has a ton of questions about life (don't we all?) she has way more confidence. She's not lost.

And could the fact Belly stands alone on the poster be a clue to the end of the series? "this poster screams belly choosing herself in the end and I’m all here for it!" one X user tweeted.

@_cooper_koch_ The summer I turned pretty season 3 Belly and Conrad 😍 #foryou#pourtoi#fyp#edit#tiktok#viral#thesummeriturnedpretty#belly#conradfisher @Christopher Briney ♬ Gorgeous - Taylor Swift

Although I will point out Belly's yellow dress actually made its rounds on social media last year when videos of Lola Tung and Christopher Briney filming together went viral. So we'll have to tune in this July to figure out who Belly ends up with for sure ;).

Meet The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cast before it premieres on Prime Video in July 2025!

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