You don't have to spend a lot of money to give baby gifts that are memorable. Try putting together your own "Nursing Survival Kit," with breast pads, Lansinoh cream, frozen peas (to ease nursing soreness), and a copy of "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding."

Create a "Sleep Like a Baby" care package with a soft baby blanket or lovey, a white noise CD (vacuum sounds are great!) and a Miracle Blanket (for easy swaddling).

Or transform a simple baby book into a "Remembering the Moment" gift basket, by adding a copy of the local newspaper from the day the baby was born, copies of Time and People magazines from the week the baby was born, a current postage stamp, and a sales flyer from the local grocery store.

Twenty years from now, the parents and grown child will have fun looking back at everything from the price of a dozen eggs to who the hot celebrities were back when junior was a baby.

Nobody likes extra work. So do whatever you can do to make it easy for the new parents to enjoy your gift.

For example, if your gift requires batteries, include a small package of batteries (the correct type, of course,) with it. You don't even need to give the whole pack -- just the right amount for the item you've given. You'd be amazed how grateful the new parents will be.

This is always a winning tip, because everyone likes to have the hard work done for them.

However, it's a strategy that's best used when you are absolutely positive the new parents want what you've gotten them. Remember, gifts that are put together aren't so easily returned. So do this when you're buying something off the registry or when the recipients have specifically asked for what you're giving them.

They may love what you've gotten, but they may have also gotten two or three baby gifts just like it. Make it easy to return yours, and they'll be grateful.

After 36 hours of labor and two weeks of sleep deprivation, a new mommy can't be counted on to remember her own last name, let alone yours. That's true even if she's your sister or best friend. So make it easy for her by writing your full name on the card. Including your address, too, makes it easy for to write the thank-you note.

Stephanie Gallagher, a.k.a., The Shopping Mom, is the author of several parenting books and Editor of The Shopping Mom's Weekly Tip (an ezine) and The Shopping Mom's Guide to Baby Gifts, http://www.gifts-babies-love.com