Baby Clothesline Gift Idea
I love this idea. You will need a wicker laundry basket, stuffed animal, onesies or lap shirts, rope, tissue paper, and clothespins. Of course you are not limited to onesies or lap shirts. You can add socks, hats, outfits, etc. If clothing is packaged together you will have to open the package and separate items. Attach clothing to the rope with clothespins as if hanging out laundry to dry. Take one end of the rope and lay it in the wicker laundry basket. Tie the end of the rope that is at the top of the pile to the leg of the stuffed animal. Sit the stuffed animal at the top. Surround the stuffed animal with lightly crumpled tissue paper. You want the tissue paper to hide what is under the stuffed animal. Wrap the gift basket in either cellophane or tulle. Tie basket with a pretty bow and you have a unique surprise waiting for mommy to be. Make sure mommy to be opens the basket so she sees that the gift is more than a wicker laundry basket and stuffed animal. This gift idea is great for a baby clothesline baby shower theme.
Create an Early Love of Reading Books
Just because babies can’t read doesn’t mean they can’t love books. Books serve a number of purposes:
- increase development & early reading skills
- provide more bonding time with parent/grandparent/siblings/etc & baby
- create a love of reading
There are books which contain classic collections, such as Winnie the Pooh or a Nursery Rhymes book, which are beautiful but very large and heavy. Board books or soft books are easier for baby to handle themselves. Some even come with rattles attached. You want books that have bright pictures, rhyming schemes or easy words so baby can follow along.
If you are planning a shower you may want to have a baby book wishing well. On the invitation write “Bring a baby book to build baby’s library.” At the shower have a special container, a basket or canvas tote, for the books. This container can also double as book storage.
If you are attending a shower or welcoming baby home from the hospital, create a baby book gift basket. Fill a basket with an assortment of baby books and a small plush toy.
Developmental Toys
You know what they say - simpler is often better. This can be said with developmental toys. With competition rising to create toys that make your child smarter the best ones are tried and true. Forget flashing lights and lots of noise. Try stacking rings or chunky blocks. These toys are great to sharpen grabbing and hand-eye coordination by stacking the rings or blocks. Most children will be able to play with blocks or stacking rings between the ages of 8 months and 12 months. Be sure to purchase blocks or stacking rings with large pieces to avoid choking if baby puts the item in her mouth. Many companies make plush blocks or rings in beautiful colors or with stimulating mirrors, textures and designs.
Security Blanket
When my niece was a baby she loved the satin tags on blankets. She would rub this tag to soothe herself. Security blankets or stuffed animals become a coping method for everyday stresses. What could babies be stressed about? Being hungry or tired are the biggest worries for baby. There are so many soft plush and satin blankets small enough to be carried around by your little one. If you choose a plush be sure the features are sewn in so they won’t fall into baby’s mouth if she chews on the plush. You also want to make sure the plush or blanket is machine washable. This security blanket will go everywhere so it’s bound to get dirty.
March of Dimes Sweetness Bears
baby Gund has partnered with the March of Dimes to create the “Sweetness Bears” collection. The March of Dimes is an non profit organization dedicated to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. They carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.
BabyShowerDepot.com carries the Sweetness Bear Rattle and Sweetness Bear Pacifier Clip. A portion of the proceeds will support the March of Dimes “Pink and Blue for Babies” initiative to ensure all babies are born healthy.
Christina
Baby Thermometers
Many new moms create a baby gift registry. A baby thermometer is one of the items that is usually on the registry. According to the February issue of Parenting magazine ear devices are not as accurate as oral or rectal thermometers. They suggest that a rectal thermometer be used for babies up to 3 months; a rectal or oral thermometer for ages 3 months to 4 years; and an oral thermometer for ages 4 and up. Although many thermometers can be used orally or rectally - experts suggest purchasing a thermometer for each use - don’t use the same thermometer for both purposes. We hope this information is helpful when selecting a baby thermometer. Read the Februrary issue of Parenting magazine for more information.
Christina
Baby Bath Gift Idea
A great way to create a unique baby gift is to group like items together in a fun and creative container. My favorite gift to create is a Baby Bath “Basket”. Purchase a baby bath tub. Fill the tub with bath accessories: washcloths
Christina