Quick answer: The best new baby gifts are the ones the family will still have when the baby is grown: something made from the baby’s name, birth details and the words that sum up their arrival. Our top pick is the personalised Baby word art print, a bootie-shaped design built from the baby’s name, date, time and weight, available as an instant digital download from £9.99 or framed up to £30.99.

Updated November 2026

A new baby brings a flood of tiny clothes, soft toys and nappy cakes. They’re all welcome, but most are outgrown or used up within months. A personalised print does a different job: it records the moment the baby arrived, in the family’s own words, and stays on the nursery wall for years. This guide covers our best personalised new baby gifts, who each one suits, and exactly what to write on them.

In this guide

• The best personalised new baby gifts, and who each one suits
• Gifts for new mums, new dads and the whole family
• Ideas for a christening, a baby’s first Christmas, grandparents and a new sibling
• A quick comparison table
• What words to put on a new baby print, with three ready-to-use examples
• How it works, and answers to common questions

What is the best new baby gift?

For most people, the Personalised Baby print is the safest and most personal choice. The design is shaped as a baby’s bootie and built entirely from words you type in: the baby’s full name, date of birth, weight and time of arrival, plus a phrase or two that fits the family. Because the shape itself is made from the birth details, no two prints are the same.

It suits almost any situation: a gift from friends, a present from aunties and uncles, a birth announcement the parents order for themselves, or a keepsake for a christening. The colour palette can be changed to match the nursery, so it works whether the room is soft pastels, bold primaries or neutral greys.

Who it suits: anyone who wants one gift that works for a baby boy or a baby girl, without guessing the nursery theme.

Words to include: the baby’s full name, date and time of birth, weight, the parents’ names and a short line such as “welcome to the world” or “our little miracle”.

What can you buy a new mum?

Plenty of gifts are aimed at the baby, but the first weeks are just as big a moment for mum. The Personalised Mum and Baby print puts the two of them together in one design, filled with mum’s name, the baby’s name and the phrases she finds herself saying at 3am. It makes a thoughtful gift from a partner, a sister or a close friend, and it’s a lovely first Mother’s Day present when the baby is only a few months old.

If the nursery has an animal theme, the Personalised Mother and Baby Giraffe print is a softer, more playful alternative. The mother and baby giraffe design suits a jungle or safari nursery and still carries all the family’s words.

Who it suits: a first-time mum, a mum on her first Mother’s Day, or anyone who wants to mark the bond between mother and baby.

Words to include: “mummy”, the baby’s name, their date of birth, mum’s nicknames for the baby, and lines like “my whole heart” or “worth every sleepless night”.

For more ideas for her, see our guides to Christmas gifts for mum and mother and daughter gifts.

What can you buy a new dad?

New dads are often overlooked when the cards and parcels arrive. The Personalised Dad and Baby print is built from dad’s name, the baby’s name and the little details of those first days together, from the first nappy he changed to the song he sings at bedtime. It’s a natural gift “from the baby” for dad’s first Father’s Day or his first birthday as a father.

The Personalised Daddy and Baby print is a gentler take on the same idea, using “daddy” rather than “dad”. It suits families who already know which word they’ll be using, and it works well for a first Christmas as a family of three.

Who it suits: a first-time dad, a dad celebrating his first Father’s Day, or a partner who wants a keepsake from the baby.

Words to include: “daddy”, the baby’s name and date of birth, dad’s nickname, his favourite team or hobby, and a line such as “my first best friend” or “partners in crime”.

What are good nursery gifts for a baby boy or baby girl?

If you’d rather choose something with a theme, our animal and nature prints make lovely nursery decorations. Each one is personalised with the baby’s name and birth details, so it’s still a keepsake rather than just a picture.

A baby penguin print for a cosy nursery

The Personalised Baby Penguin print is a sweet choice for a winter baby or a nursery with an arctic or snowy theme. It suits a baby boy or a baby girl equally well. Fill it with the baby’s name, the date they arrived, and words like “snuggles”, “cuddles” and “little one”.

A whale print for an ocean-themed room

For a seaside or under-the-sea nursery, the Personalised Whale print brings a calm, ocean feel. It’s a nice fit for families who live by the coast or love the sea. Words could include the baby’s name, the beach or town where the family lives, and phrases like “our little explorer” or “the start of a big adventure”.

A star print for a bedtime keepsake

The Personalised Star print works beautifully above a cot. Fill it with the baby’s name, the night they were born and a line like “you are our brightest star” or “twinkle twinkle”. It’s also a gentle choice for a baby who arrived after a long wait.

You’ll find more designs to suit every nursery in our word art collection.

What should you give for a christening or naming day?

A christening, baptism or naming day calls for something that will be kept for a lifetime, and a personalised print fits the occasion well. For a church christening, the Personalised Religious Cross print can be filled with the baby’s name, the date of the christening, the church, the godparents’ names and a favourite blessing or verse.

For a non-religious naming day, the Baby print is a good alternative. Use the baby’s full name with any middle names explained, the date of the ceremony, the names of guide parents or supporting adults, and a few words about what you wish for the child.

Who it suits: godparents, grandparents and close family looking for a christening gift that isn’t another silver spoon.

What is a good gift for a baby’s first Christmas?

A baby’s first Christmas is a milestone most families want to remember. The Personalised Christmas print can be filled with the baby’s name, “first Christmas”, the year, and the names of everyone who’ll be around the table. It’s a gift that comes out every December as part of the decorations, and it pairs well with the Mum and Baby or Daddy and Baby prints if you want a present for the parents too.

If you’re short on time in the run-up to Christmas, the instant digital download means you can have the design ready the same day and print it at home.

What can you buy new grandparents?

A new grandchild changes the whole family, and grandparents often love a gift that shows where the new arrival fits in. The Personalised Family Tree print can be filled with the grandparents’ names, their children, and the newest name added among the branches. It makes a moving gift from the new parents, and it can be updated as more grandchildren arrive.

Words could include “Nana and Grandad”, “Granny and Papa” or whatever the family uses, each child and partner, the new baby’s name and date of birth, and a line like “and so our family grew”. For more ideas, see our full guides to gifts for grandparents and gifts for nan.

What about gifts for a second baby or a new big brother or sister?

When a second or third baby arrives, the older children can feel left out of the excitement. A print that includes the whole family helps. The Personalised Dad with Son and Daughter print is a lovely choice when a family now has a son and a daughter, and it can be filled with dad’s name, both children’s names and the things they love doing together.

You could also choose the Baby print and include the older siblings’ names in the words, with lines like “big sister Ava” or “Leo’s little brother”. It’s a small touch, but it makes the older child part of the gift.

Are there gifts for before the baby arrives?

If you’d like to mark the pregnancy itself, perhaps for a baby shower, a gender reveal or a mum-to-be’s birthday, the Personalised Pregnancy print is designed for that stage. Fill it with the due date, the parents’ names, any nicknames for the bump, and the words that sum up the wait.

And if the family is moving house to make room for the new arrival, the Personalised House print can mark the new home and the growing family at the same time, with the address, the date they moved in and everyone’s names, including the baby’s.

New baby gifts compared

Product	Best for	Example words to include	From price
Baby print	Any new baby, boy or girl; birth announcements	Full name, date, time, weight, “welcome to the world”	£9.99
Mum and Baby print	A new mum; a first Mother’s Day	“Mummy”, baby’s name, “my whole heart”	£9.99
Dad and Baby print	A new dad; a first Father’s Day	Dad’s name, baby’s name, “my first best friend”	£9.99
Mother and Baby Giraffe print	Safari or jungle nurseries	Baby’s name, “little one”, “stand tall”	£9.99
Baby Penguin print	Winter babies; cosy nurseries	Baby’s name, “snuggles”, “cuddles”	£9.99
Religious Cross print	Christenings and baptisms	Baby’s name, church, godparents, a blessing	£9.99
Family Tree print	New grandparents	Grandparents, children, new baby’s name	£9.99

All prices shown are for the instant digital download. Framed prints are available up to £30.99.

What words to put on a new baby print

The words are what make the print personal, and they’re the part most people find hardest. A good print mixes hard facts (the name, date and weight) with softer words that capture the family’s feelings. Aim for somewhere between 15 and 40 words or short phrases: enough to fill the shape, but not so many that the important ones get lost. Put the baby’s name first, as it’s usually the one that stands out largest.

Example 1: a classic birth announcement

• Isla Rose Campbell
• Born 14 October 2026
• 4.12am
• 7lb 3oz
• Princess Royal Maternity, Glasgow
• Daughter of Emma and Ross
• Welcome to the world
• Our little miracle
• Tiny fingers, tiny toes
• Loved beyond words

Example 2: from mum, for the nursery wall

• Oscar
• My little bear
• Sleepy cuddles
• Milk-drunk smiles
• 3am feeds
• Worth every sleepless night
• You made me a mummy
• Forever my baby
• Our first home together
• Love you to the moon and back

Example 3: a family welcome, including big siblings

• Baby Finlay
• Born at home, 2 March
• 8lb 1oz
• Mum and Dad
• Big sister Ava
• Big brother Jack
• Nana and Grandad
• The final piece of our puzzle
• Our family is complete
• Cheeky grins and muddy wellies to come

A few tips: double-check the spelling of the baby’s name and any middle names with the parents; use the family’s own words for grandparents (Nana, Granny, Gran, Papa); and if you’re unsure about a detail like the time of birth, leave it out rather than guess.

How it works

1. Choose a print. Pick the design that suits the family, from the Baby print to the Mum and Baby or Dad and Baby prints.
2. Type your own words. Add the baby’s name, birth details and any phrases you like. The design builds from your words as you type.
3. See a free preview. Check exactly how your print will look before you pay anything, and tweak the words or colours until you’re happy.
4. Choose your format. Download it instantly as a digital file from £9.99 to print at home or at a local print shop, or choose a printed or framed print delivered to your door.

Related guides

• Gifts for Grandparents: Personalised Ideas They’ll Keep
• Mother and Daughter Gifts: Personalised Ideas for Every Age

New baby gifts: frequently asked questions

What is a good personalised gift for a new baby?

A keepsake made from the baby’s own details is hard to beat, because it can’t be bought off a shelf. A personalised word art print built from the baby’s name, date of birth, weight and time of arrival works for any family, whatever the nursery theme. It also lasts well beyond the newborn months, unlike clothes they will outgrow in weeks.

When should you give a new baby gift?

Most people send a gift in the first few weeks after the birth, once the family has settled in at home. If you’re visiting, bring it with you; if not, a digital download can be sent or printed as soon as the birth details are announced. There’s no strict deadline, and a gift that arrives a month or two later is often appreciated once the first wave of visitors has passed.

What details should go on a new baby print?

The essentials are the baby’s full name, date of birth, time of birth and weight. Many people add the parents’ and siblings’ names, the town or hospital where the baby was born, and a short phrase such as “welcome to the world”. Check the spelling of the name with the parents before ordering, as new names are easy to get slightly wrong.

Can I order a new baby print before the baby is born?

You can choose the design and draft your words in advance, but it’s best to wait for the birth details before you order. The name, weight and time of birth are what make the print personal. If you want something before the birth, the Personalised Pregnancy print is designed for that stage instead.

How much do personalised new baby prints cost?

Our new baby prints start at £9.99 as an instant digital download that you can print at home or at a local print shop. On the Baby print, framed versions are £22.99 for A4 and £30.99 for A3, with a white mount included. You can preview your design free before paying for anything.

How long does a framed new baby print take to arrive?

On the Baby print, unframed and framed prints take 3–5 working days. A digital download arrives instantly, which makes it a good choice if you’ve left it late or want to send the gift straight away.

Choosing your new baby gift

The best new baby gifts are the ones that will still mean something when the baby is old enough to ask about the day they were born. If you’re unsure where to start, the Personalised Baby print is the easiest choice for any family, while the Mum and Baby and Dad and Baby prints are lovely ways to celebrate the new parents themselves. Whichever you choose, take a few minutes over the words: the name, the date, the weight and a phrase that sums up the family’s joy are what turn a print into a keepsake.