It is tradition for new parents to receive a stack of gifts at the baby shower and even following the birth, but if you're not a parent yourself, knowing what to buy can be tricky. While many expecting mums and dads draw up a registry, a lot of new parents simply don't have the time and this leaves uncertain gift buyers in something of a sticky situation.

As a prospective gift giver, it is important to find out what kinds of things the parents in question already have. Much of the important stuff will have been bought in advance of the birth, however things like a stroller, or kinderwagen as they say in Germany, may have been neglected since they will not be immediately necessary. This kind of big appliance can be costly so if you're considering it as a gift it might be a good idea to enlist some friends to share the expense.

New parents tend to spend the first few months out of the hospital in something of a daze, so often they neglect themselves and their day to day life. In light of this, a practical gift such a week's worth of grocery shopping will go down well.

Consider buying gifts directed solely at the parents themselves and not at the new baby. A massage for Mum will give her time to relax away from the stresses of being a new parent and will almost always go down a treat.

If all else fails, vouchers are a good idea. Whether these are to be exchanged for baby goods or for a few luxuries, they afford the parents in question the opportunity to choose what they most want.