Baby showers have long since arrived in the UK and Germany alike, and with them comes an affectionate dilemma for every guest. You want to give the mum-to-be something wonderful for the birth, but as soon as several people think along the same lines, five identical baby grows and three soft toys end up on the changing table. A classic scenario: everyone brings the same things because everyone knows the same shops. The gesture is sweet, but in the end, it is not particularly practical for the parents.

It doesn’t have to be this way. With the right gifting approach, you bring far more joy to yourself and the recipient family, ensuring that the baby shower gift is genuinely needed.

Classic baby shower gifts and why everyone gives the same thing

The most popular baby shower gifts are often the most problematic. A bodysuit in size 0–3 months, a comforter made of soft cotton fabric, a cute toy; all these items are available in every online shop, and all friends and relatives think along the same lines.

The result: the new parents end up with 15 bodysuits in the wrong size, 8 comforters and toys the baby probably won't even like. Yet, just before the birth, new parents are asking themselves completely different questions. Which nappies suit our baby best? Which pram do we need? Which baby monitor technology makes sense? And above all: does all of this even fit into the budget?

The problem with pre-made gift sets and bestselling items

Popular baby shower gifts are favoured for good reason: they look pretty on Instagram and are available everywhere. But popularity does not mean they suit the family's new life. A lovingly wrapped gift set featuring standard bodysuits may be sweet, but it doesn't really help in daily life with a baby.

On top of that: the more popular an item is, the more likely it is that several guests will give the same thing. That is nobody's fault; it is simply the nature of online shops and gift recommendations.

What parents really need and often don't buy themselves

When you talk to real parents, you quickly realise: the wishlist looks completely different from what social media baby shower photos suggest. Parents need practical items that save them time and money. A new smart baby monitor with app connectivity, extra accessories for the pram, a high-quality changing mat, specialist breastfeeding accessories, or the right changing table for the nursery.

The problem: these items are more expensive, less cute to wrap up as gifts, and unique to every family. There is no standard gift for new parents; there is only what they specifically need.

The solution: a baby shower gift with real freedom of choice

Instead of guessing what the parents need, you can leave the choice to them. Joy_ is a gift voucher where the recipient doesn't just choose a single shop or category, but can pick any physical product from across the entire internet.

This means: the new parents decide for themselves whether they need accessories for their pram, want to buy a better baby monitor, or would prefer that expensive organic changing table. They don’t choose from a predefined list, but from the entire online retail market.

That is what makes this approach special: it is as individual as the parents themselves. There are no duplicates, because every mum and dad can choose exactly what makes sense for them.

How Joy_ works

Step 1: You send the couple a Joy_ voucher. This can be done digitally via email (sent instantly) or as a lovely postcard. The voucher is valid for 36 months, so there is plenty of time to decide.

Step 2: The recipient logs into their personal page, watches your greeting video or reads your message, and then picks their favourite product. Whether from a major electronics retailer, a fashion online store, or a specialist nursery supplier; it doesn't matter.

Step 3: Joy_ purchases the product and sends it directly to the parents' address. That's all there is to it – no hassle, no returns, no "we don't even need this".

Special feature: baby shower gifts from a group

If several people want to chip in together for the baby shower, that works seamlessly too. The group pools the amount, and the parents choose a larger gift – for instance, the pram accessory bundle or the baby monitor system they couldn't otherwise justify buying.

Frequently asked questions about giving a baby shower voucher

Isn't a voucher too impersonal?

That is a fair question, but Joy_ eliminates that impersonal feel. You personalise the voucher page with your video, photos, or a handwritten message. Every time the new parents choose their gift, they see that it comes personally from you.

How long is the voucher valid?

36 months. That is plenty of time to truly think about what the family needs over the next three years.

Where can the parents shop?

That is the key point: anywhere. Not just at ten predefined partner shops, but at any online store that sells physical products.

An end to duplicate gifts at baby showers

If you feel that your baby shower gift idea isn't quite right or you are unsure what the parents-to-be specifically need, a Joy_ voucher is the best solution. It is personal, practical, tailored – and guaranteed not to lead to five identical baby grows.

You can find more gift ideas for 2026 on our blog. And if you are looking for the most practical option: the safest gift choice is still the one the recipients pick themselves.