If you're looking for fresh and inspiring ways to welcome a little person into the world, here are some superb gift ideas centred on practicality and style.

Baby Massage

Baby Massage is extrememly popular with new parents, and provides a soothing way to bond with a new baby during those chaotic first weeks. This Baby Massage set provides everything they need.  Natalia's totally natural Baby Massage Oil comes with a full-colour instruction leaflet and a super-soft organic cotton flannel.  A calming addition to the bedtime routine.  

Luxurious Cot Linen

We rarely give much thought to the sheets and blankets our baby sleeps with, yet they're in direct contact with them for a huge proportion off the time  (with any luck!). 

As well as adding a fantastic design touch to a newborn's bedroom, Piccalilly's organic cotton cot sheets and matching cotton baby blankets are manufactured without the use of formaldehyde, solvents, silicone based softeners, toxic chemicals or azo-dyes.

They're also fairtrade, and coloured and printed using low impact environmentally responsible dyes. Exactly what you want for a blanket that's going to be cuddled and sucked for years to come!

Growth-Spurt-Proof Products

It's always hit and miss whether your carefully selected outfit will fit the new baby, thanks to the massive variations in manufacturer's sizing schemes.  (Sometimes you've got to wonder where they found the babies they used!).  If they do fit, the chances are they'll have grown out of them within 2 weeks.  Here are 3 products that will last for months or years, not weeks.

They also dispense with the need for scratch mitts (which never stay on) thanks to fold-over cuffs.  Absolutely perfect..and they're made from organic fairtrade cotton.

Also from Piccalilly, and designed to last for years, is the incredibly soft hooded baby bath towel.  These organic cotton bath towels have a funky spotted trim and big bunny ears (which match the nightgown and spotty baby blanket). 

Funky Baby Shower Gifts & Decorations

If you're looking for something totally original to wow the baby shower then we've got some great suggestions.

Dispense with the plastic bunting and use this beautiful fairtade cotton party bunting.  In vibrant colours, it's wonderful indoors and truly spectacular hung from tree branches for outdoor parties.  It can be used time and time again, or used as a gorgeous decoration in the new nursery. 

Pick a Baby Twinset to suit the new family. History buffs will die for Anne Boleyn or Henry VIII, literary buffs will wax lyrical over The Bard and then...there's Obama Pants.  Guaranteed to be an instant talking point!