Little ones are one of our greatest sources of happiness. When a new life is brought into the world, it brings joy to everyone who has the good fortune to be touched by this little miracle. It’s why we throw baby showers and gender reveals, why we make it a point to schedule newborn photos and family photography sessions when our children are small. These are the happiest memories, and we want to capture every instant.

As a family member or a friend of someone who has just had a little one (or is about to!), you’re likely looking for a gift that can convey your happiness, your excitement to meet the new baby, and your intention to spoil it rotten. However, you’re cognizant that the new parents will probably receive mountains of gifts, probably even a few duplicates. We’re big fans of going off the registry in order to purchase a gift that is personal and high quality without sacrificing function. After all, many recommended baby items are popular for a reason! We just happen to think that there is a way to do it all without sacrificing style and substance.

Our Philosophy for Baby Products

Dune carries many products for little ones, from that brand new baby stage to terrible teething and beyond. However, we are extremely selective about the pieces that we carry in our shop for littles. Here’s why.

For one, we were founded by a mother. Cire’ Cross was a new mother, in fact, when she started Dune Gift + Home. When starting the shop, she originally was looking for a place where she could house a workshop for her jewelry business closer to home, and closer to little Elsie. When the spot where Dune now lives opened up, she saw the possibilities to expand into a gift and home shop and embrace many of her passions in one place.

Elsie, and the preciousness of family, has been built into Dune Gift + Home from the start. We wanted our products to speak to that value, and to uphold our highest standards for baby products. We look for items that are not only unique and fit your modern bohemian style, but also for pieces that are made from materials and ingredients that are safe for young children.

When we look at baby products, we make sure they live up to our standards for safety. Would Cire’ use this bath product with Elsie? Does she trust this teething ring and its maker enough to stock it in her home? Our baby products need to pass this litmus test before they ever end up on our shelves. As a customer, you can rest easy knowing that we take these decisions very seriously, and make our choices with you - and your little ones - in mind.

Best Gifts for Baby Showers and Newborns

Now that we’ve established our guidelines for stocking baby items in Dune, we wanted to share a few of our favorite ideas for baby showers and newborn gifts. There is nothing like being able to show your love for someone and their new addition with a simple, sophisticated gift, whether you’re passing along something they can use right now or love forever.

Teething rings that match mom’s style

Our biggest gripe with baby items is that many of them are created in bold colors or cliche pastels. It’s tough to find a product that can be useful and look good hanging out of a diaper bag! Our favorite teething ring company, Chewable Charm, manages to do both. They offer a variety of options, from a classic ring made from organic beechwood and silicone rings to more whimsical styles like the Rainbow teether or the Macrame teether (looks just like your favorite wall hanging!) made from 100% organic cotton cord and finished with organic coconut oil.

Trendy, but simple onesies

Even new babies deserve to have a sense of style! We prefer onesies that are simple in color and message - you won’t find over the top colors in Dune’s selection. Right now, we have a beautiful variety of neutral-toned onesies with gorgeously minimal typography. If we had to pick our favorites, we’d choose the “Be Kind” or the “Tiny Tot” options for our family and friends. These onesies are the perfect gift for a new mom who wants to take those monthly update photos, or parents who just want a simple day at home.

Tiny socks

This one is a personal favorite - who can resist tiny baby clothes? Socks are a great gift to bring a few months after a baby is born, perhaps the first time you’re meeting the little one. It’s a small enough gift that it doesn’t feel extra when you’ve already attended a baby shower and sent a gift after the baby is born. However, it is still a kind gesture and will be greatly appreciated as the baby continues to grow out of clothes month after month. Our favorite socks are the Maybelle socks that we carry at Dune. They come in stunning colors like peach, magenta, and sea green, and can add a pop of muted color to a neutral onesie outfit.

Pacifier clips

A pacifier clip is another winning gift from Chewable Charm. We’ve had such a great experience with this item. This game-changing product lets new parents tie any type of pacifier, teether, or toy through the loop so that they don’t have to worry about picking it up off the floor every two minutes. These clips can double as a teether, and they’re BPA free. If you’re gifting this item, there is just one disclaimer that you should pass along to the recipient - a pacifier clip should only be used with adult supervision.

Baby bath products that are perfect for the most sensitive skin

We’re passionate about clean beauty, and that focus doesn’t falter when it comes to our little ones! In fact, it only grows when we think about everything that our children are exposed to on a daily basis. For that reason, we only recommend bath products that feature top-tier ingredients and meet stringent safety standards. Wiley Body is a brand that lives and breathes this concept, and that’s why we’ve teamed up to carry their 3 in 1 Baby Bubble, which can act as body wash, shampoo, and bubble bath. We’re even prone to using this ourselves, as it is conditioning, gentle, and luxurious.

Baby salve

Another baby skincare product that we love is the Cocokind Baby Soothing Salve. When the weather is changing, the baby's skin can experience a shock. This salve is soothing and protective against environmental stressors, calming dry skin and sore spots. We even recommend this salve for expecting mothers who may be going through similar skin problems. The ingredients in this product are safe for both moms and babies alike!

Breathe Mama Breathe book

This book is an incredible gift for parents at any stage with their little ones. Cire’ herself has found great solace in this book that promises to, “Make everyday moments a chance to find calm and feel more connected.” The book offers quick, meaningful mindfulness practices that help new parents remain present and appreciate every moment with their child. It’s a gift that shows you care about more than the material things - and that you’re invested in the wellbeing of the family as a unit.

Photo frames

If you have the option to go vintage shopping or peruse through a few antique stores, secondhand frames are a special gift for new parents. Finding frames with stunning original details, frames that have showcased the stories of happy families for years before, and gifting them to new parents is a way to pass on that good fortune and give them a unique canvas with which to display their memories. Not only is this a great baby shower gift, it’s also a way to add a bit of vintage flair to their home decor. Honestly, when we give gifts, we’re always trying to do just that!

A journal to record each and every memory

The most precious gift you can give to parents who have just welcomed the most precious gift of all is a way for them to remember every second with their little one. Every new facial expression, every sound, every smell. Well, maybe not *every* smell. Gifting a beautiful hardcover journal, (perhaps with a few leading prompts to help overtired writers spark their creativity) is a surefire way to forge that emotional connection and you might even elicit a few happy tears.

The best gifts for new parents are those that remind them of the blessing that they have created, of the miracle that they’ve brought into this world. The ideas that we’ve laid out above range from the functional to the emotional, as simple as a pair of socks and as intentional as a journal in which to write down every detail of parenthood. No matter which you choose, know that your gift will be cherished by new parents and loved by the littles.

The Littlest Gift Guide