A new baby is on the way, it’s a birth, a baptism or the baby’s first birthday. Now you have to find the perfect gift. You want to discover something that will be a unique baby gift, something to be cherished and remembered, maybe even saved for that baby’s baby, something to look at later and remember it came from you. Your search is often limited to the usual silver piggy bank or the renowned silver spoon. Is there something new under the sun? what should you be looking for? Here are five ideas to get you started:
1) Consider the options.
There are a variety of great ideas to think about when it comes to selecting baby gifts and it’s your choice whether or not to opt for family gifts, personalized items or something baby can snuggle up to like a soft stuffed rabbit, a box of music, or a rotating mobile. But if you’re looking for something really special and durable, there are better options.
2) Purchase for parents.
It sounds strange to have parents in mind when shopping for a baby, but the baby gift you select now (aimed at pleasing the new mom and dad too), is guaranteed to please baby when she grows up. Everyone will absolutely love their selection of an engraved pewter rattle and will want to put it on display. Not only will it look good on the dresser, but the baby will love it too. Then, when the baby matures, the rattle will be carefully put away to pass on to the next baby. This is what they call a “family heirloom” gift. Imagine the child 20 years from now, perhaps rummaging through an old trunk and discovering a gift that he has kept since he was born because that gift was too precious to throw away. How wonderful is that?
3) The collections are “in fashion”.
Have you ever thought about buying the baby’s first Christmas ornament? Every year thereafter, you can add to the collection. Choose a theme like angel or puppy ornaments and follow that theme through all the growing years. Engraved silver baby ornaments can become highly prized possessions, and the collection of ornaments will always remind the child/teenager/adult how much you cared for them all along. Sterling silver charms are also always a big hit, and think of a picture of a baby in a locket to make it even more precious.
4) Try a DIY project.
Whether you’re one of today’s scrapbookers or even a beginner, you can create beautiful collections of baby’s birth year photos, notes, and news articles. What a wonderful baby heirloom gift that would be. Include food receipts, gas receipts, and magazine photos of fancy clothes. Cut out samples of fashion decorations, hairstyles, hems, cars and news of the day. Include horoscopes, scientific breakthroughs, predictions for the future, and famous people. This personalized “yearbook” baby gift is only limited by your imagination and can be made as simple or as ornate as you like. What you think is boring now will be exciting for the child to see and share 20 or 30 years from now and will become one of the most treasured gift items they have ever received.
5) Personalize it. Personalize it. Personalize it.
If you can engrave or personalize your gift with special information (“Made for Joey from Aunt Sally”), it is guaranteed to be exceptionally special and will be displayed proudly in the baby’s nursery until the baby is no longer a baby, but a little boy. Engraved pewter baby mugs, or any other engraved christening gift, birthday gift, or welcome gift for a new baby will not only stand out from the crowd, but will be treasured for years to come. Consider giving a birth plate to a baby. Made in Holland, Williamsburg Delft birth plates were inspired by a centuries-old tradition of giving gifts of lasting memories. The baby’s name, date of birth, length, weight, city and state are hand painted and then baked on a Delft plate. The plaque often features a small clock and can be displayed on the nursery wall and set the time of birth. Many other items can be personalized, including embroidery, quilts and sterling silver baby jewelry.
Finding the perfect baby gift for a child’s early years doesn’t have to end up being an exhausting search in jewelry stores and department stores. It also doesn’t have to be an item that breaks the bank. “Specially made for Grandma” can make the gift so meaningful that it will be passed down from generation to generation. Is there something new under the sun? Yes, the baby, of course, and her wonderful gift carefully chosen to celebrate life.
