New baby gift ideas
11 November 2026
The best new baby gifts are the ones that won't be outgrown by spring: something with the baby's name on it that can be kept for when they are older. On this page: a real star named after the baby, with a certificate for the nursery wall.
What is a good personal gift for a new baby?
New parents are given a great many lovely things that last a few months: babygros, soft toys, bouncers. The other kind of present carries the baby's name and the date they arrived, and goes in a memory box or on the wall rather than in the wash. Remember the rest of the family too: an older brother or sister often feels a little left out when the visitors and parcels arrive.
Why name a star for a new baby?
A real, catalogued star is recorded under the baby's name, and the documents can be kept in a memory box, framed for the nursery or brought out again at eighteen.
- It marks the moment. Name it the week they are born and the date becomes part of the story.
- It grows with them. A certificate on the wall becomes a bedtime story, and later a night out looking for it.
- Nobody else will give the same thing. Each star in a register can only be named once.
We run two star naming brands, each with its own register, documents and website.
The Star Naming Co.
The Star Naming Co. has a page on naming a star for a new baby. Its Physical Gift Pack is five A4 documents on fine cream stock, posted free in the UK within 24 hours, and the certificate carries the registration date. You can pick a constellation that means something, such as the one overhead in the baby's birth month, or leave the choice to The Star Naming Co. For twins, or for a new baby and an older brother or sister, the Twin Star Gift Pack names two neighbouring stars together on one landscape certificate, with seven documents posted free in one pack. The Digital Gift Pack arrives within minutes with an e-gift reveal to send to the parents, and if the baby's name changes, a Digital Gift Pack can be renamed at no charge.
Intergalactic Star Database
Intergalactic Star Database registers a star from the Hipparcos catalogue under the baby's name, and its guide to a star to welcome a newborn has good advice on getting the name right. The posted gift pack, with a Certificate of Registry, a Star Area Co-ordinates Sheet, a welcome letter and a fold-out star chart, can go straight to the new parents' home in a full-colour gift envelope. A print-at-home star is ready the moment you've paid, and its name can be corrected free of charge. Twins and triplets can have their stars registered together in one order.
How do I get the baby's name right?
- Wait until it is settled. Parents do sometimes change their minds in the first few days, so ask what is going on the birth certificate.
- Copy the spelling. Find it in a text or a card rather than relying on memory; Isla and Ayla, or Aiden and Aidan, are easy to mix up.
- Check middle names and surname. If you are not sure of the surname, use first names only.
- Add a message or date. A date of birth, or a line such as "Welcome to the world", makes the certificate theirs.
Keep the documents together and note the registration or Database Number in the baby book. Both brands let you print fresh copies from the star's own page, so a crayoned certificate is no disaster.
Who gives a new baby gift?
- New grandparents. A first grandchild is worth a little ceremony, and a framed certificate can sit in their house as well as the nursery. See our gifts for grandparents for the other way round.
- Godparents. A christening or naming-day present that will still be around at the eighteenth birthday.
- Aunts, uncles and friends. Easy to send from a distance and it won't add to the pile of clothes.
- The parents themselves. A star for a first Mother's Day or Father's Day, named from the baby. In 2027 those are Sunday 7 March and Sunday 20 June; see our Mother's Day gift ideas.
How quickly does a new baby gift arrive?
| Gift | How it arrives |
|---|---|
| The Star Naming Co. Physical Gift Pack or Twin Star Gift Pack | Printed and posted free in the UK within 24 hours |
| Intergalactic Star Database gift pack | Usually sent by Royal Mail within 24 hours, UK delivery included |
| The Star Naming Co. Digital Gift Pack | By email within minutes, any hour of any day |
| Intergalactic Star Database print-at-home star | Ready as soon as you have paid |
A first Christmas is another good time for a personal gift; see our Christmas gift ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good new baby gift that won't be outgrown?
Something with the baby's name and date of birth that can be kept rather than worn: a framed certificate for the nursery, a keepsake for the memory box, or a star named after them. Clothes are outgrown in weeks; a name on paper lasts.
Should I bring something for the older sibling?
It is a kind thought. A small present helps them feel included.
What if the baby's name isn't decided yet?
Wait until it is settled if you can. If it changes after you order, The Star Naming Co. will rename a Digital Gift Pack at no charge, and an Intergalactic Star Database print-at-home star can have its name corrected free. A posted pack is printed as typed, so check it first.
Will the child be able to see their star?
Not with the naked eye. Most Intergalactic Star Database stars need binoculars and most Star Naming Co. stars need a telescope, which makes finding it a good project for when they are older.
Is it an official star name?
No. Star naming is a symbolic gift. The star is real and catalogued, and the baby's name is recorded in the company's own register, but only the International Astronomical Union gives official star names, and it does not recognise commercial ones.