1. Encourage the parents-to-be to register, preferrably at Babies R Us which is a national chain and where non-local family members can shop online. Make sure they register for multiple things at each price point so work friends can spend only a little while grandparents can buy big-ticket items.

2. If they don’t register, or even if they do, a gift certificate (again, Babies R Us is a good bet) will be ever-so-appreciated. When they get everything on their registry except that ONE thing they can’t live without, they’ll be glad to have the gift certificate.

3. Gift certificates to online bookstores are also good. Mama’s going to need breastfeeding books or parenting books or whatever. They’ll get six copies of Good Night Moon, but they won’t get any copies of their own favorite books from childhood which they will really want to have for their baby. Or you could go out and get a couple of your favorite children’s books, especially the lesser known ones. That is really meaningful and will last longer than clothes.

4. Money! If you don’t feel akward about it, give baby a bond or a brand new ING account or a 529 account or something. (probably bond or ING is best because of 529 minimum deposits). Even $25 will be appreciated. One of my poker buddies gave my son $20 in Sacajawea dollars. I’ve got them squirreled away for him.