1. Have the parents told you the gender of their baby? If the baby has not arrived yet, you will not know its sex unless the parents make a point of giving out that information. Since it makes shopping for baby shower gifts so much easier, it does not hurt to tactfully ask. Many parents will often be glad to tell you whether their baby is a boy or a girl.

2. Do the parents have a wish list for their baby? You might get more than you bargained for if you ask this question. You might be expecting to hear that the child needs some sleepers and find out that the parents want a brand new crib. However, it is a good idea to ask, and then just take the response as a suggestion rather than a demand.

3. Which items give you the most value for the money? If a gift set has many items in it, the parents and child might reap the benefits of having more baby shower gifts than with a smaller set. By the same token, if the larger set is of inferior quality, the smaller set might be the better bargain.

4. Do the parents like the colors? You might know whether the Mom or Dad have a strong dislike for a certain color. If you have that information, you will know which colors to avoid. You can also choose their favorite colors for the baby shower gifts.

5. What kind of materials make up the items? Babies and parents alike prefer soft stretchy fabrics. You also need durable materials for both clothing and non-clothing baby shower gifts.

6. Will the gifts be useful? Handy towel and washcloth or bedding sets are ideal for the parent who needs help with the essentials. However, not all the baby shower gifts have to be utilitarian. In fact, it is sometimes more fun to shop for the extras.

7. Is the item festive? Baby shower gifts should spark a feeling of excitement. The shower is a party, after all. It should be a happy time, with as little thought to problems as possible. Get a present that will communicate this mood.

8. What do you like? Look through the baby shower gifts that are still on your list and think about what pleases you most. It has sometimes been said that the purpose of a gift is to make the giver happy. If you feel this way, do yourself a favor and choose a gift that will fill you with pride and enjoyment.

By the time you have answered all of these questions, you should have some very specific ideas of what kind of infant gift sets you wish to buy. If you are only buying one gift set, you have to be very selective. Make your decision count by thinking over your baby shower gifts carefully.