Choosing a present for a new baby is becoming increasingly tough. Parents are incredibly picky when it comes to their new little bundle of love.

There are a number of steps that you can take to make this process much easier.

1) Look at the Parents!

Knowing what the parents are like can be a good indication. I don’t want to over complicate matters here, but how do they dress? How have they styled their house? If you can gauge their personal taste, then you can probably guarantee that this will be the style they choose for their baby.

Are the parents modern and trendy? If so go for clean lines, bold prints, and little fuss. Are the parents classic and vintage inspired? If so, go for something that is timeless, a nice simple print in traditional baby colours of pink & blue. Are the parents a little bit "out there" if so, go for something a bit more quirky, in a style that suits their individual taste. Are the parents concerned about the environment? If so, there are many lovely organic and fair trade brands out their selling beautiful baby gifts.

2) But what should I buy?

If you are unsure what to buy, go for something practical. A blanket or a beautiful bib set will always be welcome. If you want to buy clothes, maybe go for a larger size e.g. 0-3, 3-6 months or 0-6 months, because the chances are that they have a stack of "Newborn" items that they have bought themselves. Babies grow so quickly and many newborns don’t even have the chance to wear a lot of their presents before becoming too big!

If you feel uncomfortable buying baby gifts and are sure you will choose the wrong thing, go for a classic timeless wooden pull along toy. The baby may not be able to play with it yet, but it will make a lovely addition to a nursery for the first few months and once played with, will be treasured for years before the child grows out of it and it becomes a treasured family heirloom! Similarly, a signed print for the nursery can be perceived as being very thoughtful- just be sure you are confident of the parents style!

Choosing a present for a new baby can be a daunting experience, as the choice of gifts is becoming more varied and parents develop their own style for their little ones. These steps should enable you to pick the perfect gift.