There are only a few newborn gifts that people truly keep, and they have been repeated for generations: the crib medal, the engraved silver pacifier clip, the rattle, children's cutlery, the frame for the first photo, and, if there is going to be a christening, the baptismal shell. They all have the same thing in common: they do not wear out, they do not become too small, and they bear an engraved name and date. That is why they still turn up in household drawers fifty years later.
At our shop on Calle de la Paz in Valencia, we have been preparing exactly these gifts since 1944. We have engraved thousands of names and have seen the same family come in three times over half a century: first for the son, then for the grandson, then for the great-grandson. This guide covers what people really give, organized by what customers ask us for most, with approximate prices and a table by budget.
Baby shower, gender reveal, and layette: new names for an old custom
Before getting into the what, it is worth clarifying the when, because in recent years three terms have made their way into Spain that many people recognize but cannot quite place.
The layette is the traditional name: the basket or collection of items brought for the newborn, usually on the first visit home or already at the hospital. It is the traditional Spanish custom and remains the norm in most families.
A baby shower is the American version of that same idea, with two differences: it is held before the birth—usually between the seventh and eighth months—and it is a full-fledged party, with games and a moment when the gifts are opened in front of everyone. The term comes from the English shower: the image is of showering the expectant mother with gifts. Although theories circulate tracing it back to ancient Egypt or Rome, what can be verified is more recent and more modest: the celebration took its current form in the United States over the course of the 20th century, centered on useful gifts for the baby, and spread from there to Europe and Latin America under different names depending on the country—“layette tea,” “diaper party,” “birth party.”
Gender reveals are even newer and are purely a product of the internet. The party at which the baby's sex is revealed became popular from 2008 onward, when a Chicago blogger, Jenna Karvunidis, wrote on her blog about announcing it to her family by cutting into a cake with dyed filling. A local outlet picked up the story, YouTube did the rest, and by around 2011 the custom had taken hold. It is, quite literally, a tradition younger than many of the people who celebrate it.
When choosing the gift, all this matters less than it may seem. People do not usually give gifts at a gender reveal—it is a party to announce the news, not to give presents—and what works for a baby shower works just as well for a baby gift basket, because none of these pieces expire. The only real precaution concerns engraving: if the name is still a secret, it is better to wait.
Who gives what
- Grandparents: traditionally, they take responsibility for the main piece. Historically, the crib medallion is the grandparents’ gift.
- Godparents: if it is already known who they will be, they often bring forward something intended for the baptism—the baptismal shell or a gold medallion—or save it for the ceremony.
- Friends and colleagues: a small engraved silver gift (pacifier clip, photo frame, or first-tooth box) is the option that never fails, either on its own or as part of a group gift.
- Aunts, uncles, and cousins: rattles and children’s cutlery are the classics among this group.
None of this is a rigid rule. Today, roles blend naturally, and the underlying principle is the only thing that remains: when a baby is born, you give something that can be kept.
The nine newborn gifts we are asked for most often
1. The crib medallion: the classic gift par excellence
It is, by far, the most popular birth gift in our store. A crib medallion is a devotional plaque with a ribbon that hangs from the headboard of the crib, as a symbolic protection over the baby’s sleep. The most requested designs are the Guardian Angel, the Virgin Mary, and the Virgin of Mount Carmel, and the ribbon can be chosen in light blue, pink, or beige.
If this is your first time buying one, the price range is broad: there are two-tone silver crib medallions from €29—ideal for a gift from friends—and pieces in solid 925 sterling silver with a hallmark costing over €200, intended as the big gift from the grandparents. You can see them all in crib medallions.
2. The engraved silver pacifier clip: a sure bet
If you’re looking for the gift with the best balance of price and emotional value, this is it. A personalized silver pacifier clip with the baby’s name costs €39 and is one of the few things parents will literally use every day for two years. Then it can be kept as a memento.
The classic teddy bear model with a bow, from €15, is also the perfect gift to give as a group or alongside another piece. See all pacifier clips.
3. The christening shell, if you already know there will be a ceremony
The christening shell is the object the priest uses to pour water over the child's head. After the christening, it no longer has a liturgical function and becomes a keepsake: it is stored, framed, or passed on to the next sibling.
This gift is often purchased before the birth, especially when it is given by the future godparents. The options range from the iridescent glass shell with an oval for engraving, the most requested item in our entire christening collection, to the Spain shell in 925 sterling solid silver, our signature piece. We also prepare complete sets with a christening candle, linen cloth, and shell, which take care of the entire gift. The full selection is available in christening shells.
4. The silver rattle
It is the oldest birth gift in existence: silver rattles have been documented for centuries, and the reason they were made of noble metal was not aesthetic but hygienic. Today, it remains the piece that best combines a toy with jewelry.
We offer 925 sterling solid silver models with anti-tarnish lacquer, from the little duck to the flower ball. It is the most premium gift on this list, which is why it works especially well as a group gift. You can view them in silver rattles.
5. Children's cutlery
The children's spoon and fork set is a gift that takes a few months to be used and then lasts for decades. It is the classic European birth gift, deeply rooted in France as well, and the one most appreciated when the baby begins complementary feeding.
The 2-piece and 3-piece sets with a Pedro Durán teddy bear motif, sterling silver-plated, are the most popular. Browse the full selection of children's cutlery.
6. The frame for the first photo
Every family ends up having one photo from those first few days framed, and a children’s silver photo frame featuring stars, teddy bears, or cherubs is an affordable gift—from €58.50—that also remains on display in the baby’s room for years.
7. The first 18k gold earrings
In Spain, it is customary for girls to have their ears pierced in the first few days of life, often at the maternity hospital itself. Gifting the definitive gold earrings—the ones that replace the first pair—is a very meaningful gesture, and it usually comes from the grandparents or godparents.
The important thing here is the fastening: for a baby, a screw-back fastening is always recommended, as it is much safer than a push-back. In 18k gold baby earrings, you’ll find everything from cubic zirconia and small pearls to children’s designs in mother-of-pearl.
8. The gold medal or scapular
When the gift is meant to be “the gift”—the one worn and kept for a lifetime—the choice is an 18-karat gold medal or a scapular. It is the quintessential devotional gift from godparents and grandparents.
For a newborn, we recommend a small size and simple design: 18k gold baby medals featuring the Guardian Angel or the Virgin Mary, or a gold scapular in a mini format, combining Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a single piece. An engraved baby ID bracelet is the alternative when a bracelet is preferred to a pendant.
9. Keepsake gifts: the first tooth box and album
To round off the list, here are two small gifts with lasting sentimental value: the silver first tooth box with case, from €55, and the silver photo album. You’ll find them alongside the rest of the ideas in more children’s gifts, which also includes growth charts and night lights.
Gift ideas by budget
| Budget | What to give | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €40 | Engraved silver pacifier clip · two-tone christening medallion · iridescent glass shell | Friends, coworkers, individual gift |
| 40 – 100 € | Silver christening medal · photo frame · first tooth box · album | Close friends, aunts and uncles, gift from two people |
| 100 – 250 € | Children’s cutlery · solid silver shell · complete christening set · rattle | Immediate family, group gift |
| Over €250 | Solid silver christening medal · 18k gold medal or scapular · shell from Spain or Portugal | Grandparents and godparents |
Engraving: what turns a gift into a keepsake
This is the part we are thanked for most often and the one most easily forgotten when buying. A pacifier clip is a pacifier clip; a pacifier clip with the child’s name and birth date is something else entirely, and it’s what makes it remain in a drawer thirty years later instead of being lost.
What is most often engraved on a birth gift:
- The baby’s name alone. It’s the most elegant option and ages the best.
- Name and date of birth, on two lines.
- A very short dedication: «From your grandparents», «From your godmother», «Welcome».
- Initials, when the piece is small and space is limited.
A practical tip: if the gift is for a baby shower and the name is still a secret, engrave only the expected date or leave the piece unengraved and include a note. It can always be engraved later.
What to avoid when choosing a gift
- Newborn-size clothing. It’s what gets repeated most often and used the least: babies wear it for three weeks, and families usually receive more than enough.
- Items with a name when it hasn’t been decided yet. It’s best to discreetly confirm it before ordering the engraving.
- Leaving it until the last day. Engraving takes workshop time. A week’s notice is more than enough; with two weeks, you have more choice.
- Accidentally buying duplicates. If the group is large, it’s worth asking the organizer: that’s how you avoid three rattles arriving.
The four occasions when gifts are given to a baby
- The gender reveal, around the middle of the pregnancy. It isn’t a gift-giving occasion: you attend, celebrate and that’s it.
- The baby shower, in the final stretch. A practical and heartfelt gift: pacifier clip, rattle, photo frame.
- The baby hamper or first visit, in the weeks following the birth. This is the classic moment for a crib medal, because the crib already exists and the name is settled.
- The christening, a few months later. This is when the christening shell, gold medal and cutlery come in, and the defined roles of godfather and godmother emerge.
If you’re going to attend several events, the practical rule is simple: save the larger piece for the christening and bring something small and engraved to the earlier celebrations.
Frequently asked questions
What do you give a newborn?
The gifts that work best are those that don’t get used up or outgrown: a crib medal, an engraved silver pacifier clip, a rattle, children’s cutlery, a photo frame and, if there will be a christening, a christening shell. Compared with clothes or toys, they have the advantage of lasting and often being passed on to the next sibling or the next generation.
What exactly is a baby shower?
It is a party held before the birth—usually between the seventh and eighth months of pregnancy—in which family and friends “shower the mother-to-be with gifts.” The term comes from the English word shower, meaning “rain.” The celebration took its current form in the United States during the twentieth century and spread from there to Europe and Latin America.
Do you bring a gift to a gender reveal?
Generally speaking, no. A gender reveal is a party to announce the baby’s sex, not an occasion for giving gifts. It is a recent format: it became popular from 2008 onward and established itself around 2011 thanks to social media. Gifts are reserved for the baby shower, layette, or christening.
How much do people spend on a birth gift?
It depends on the relationship. Among friends and colleagues, the usual amount is between €20 and €50. Close family members generally spend between €50 and €150, while grandparents or godparents, when choosing the main piece, usually spend more. A group gift from several people allows you to move up a category without placing the burden on anyone.
Can you give a crib medal as a gift if the family is not religious?
Yes, and it happens often. For many families, the crib medal has become more an object of tradition and decoration than of devotion: it is hung because of family custom and the protective gesture it represents. If you prefer a neutral image, the Guardian Angel is the option that works best in any case.
Is silver safe for a baby?
925 sterling silver is a traditional material in childcare products precisely because of its durability and ease of cleaning. As with any small object, rattles and pacifier clips should always be used under adult supervision and checked regularly.
Do you ship to Latin America and offer engraving?
Yes. We ship worldwide, and engraving is done in our workshop in Valencia before shipping. If you have a specific celebration date, write to us and we will arrange the timing.
A gift that lasts longer than the party
The beauty of birth gifts is that they outlast the occasion. The cake is gone that afternoon; the engraved name on a crib medal remains hanging twenty years later on the wall of a room that is no longer a baby’s, and eventually returns to a new crib.
That is what we have been doing at Sanchis Salcedo since 1944: creating pieces for the days a family wants to remember. If you are unsure what to choose, write to us or stop by 22 Paz Street in Valencia. We like helping you make the right choice.
Sanchis Salcedo
