TOP 10 GIFTS FOR BABY & EXPECTING PARENTS
I am often asked for recommendations for baby shower or expecting-parent gifts, so I have compiled my top 10 favorite gifts! These are a combination of gifts I have received, gifted, or given to myself. They have brought significant meaning, purpose & joy to life as a new parent. Without a doubt any one of these gifts would be a perfect gift for a new or expecting parent. The best part is, they are not only unique but also lovingly made by small businesses.
ARTIFACT UPRISING BABY BOOK: THE STORY OF YOU- This baby book takes the cake of all baby books. Not only is it the most beautiful baby book I have ever seen but the pages are the perfect way to capture the monthly milestones of the first year. The book also comes with a purchase code for the parent to order photo prints to use in the book!
BLABLA KIDS KNIT DOLLS- These are our favorite dolls, we can’t get enough of them. The designs are spunky, sweet & quirky & jazz up any nursery space. Blabla is an amazing company too, their goods are handmaid, fair-trade, natural, safe, non-toxic- basically, they are perfect.
SOLLY BABY WRAP- Baby wearing is proven to be an essential part of the emotional development of a baby & new parent. Keeping baby close & secure is also a key way for new parents to have their hands available to prepare a meal, sort mail, make the bed, chase a toddler, etc. Solly Baby wraps handle the job of keeping baby snug & close, are very durable (& I have tried others) & come in a swoon-worthy selection of prints & styles!
YARNINGMADE HAND KNIT BABY BLANKET- There is nothing like a handmade blanket for a new baby & this shop makes the best & most beautiful of them all. Yarning Made has a wonderful collection that surely will look good draped on a crib or snuggled around a new baby.
VIKLUND MADE CUSTOM ILLUSTRATION- The second custom illustration I ever made was for a baby shower gift, & when the parents-to-be opened it the guests at the party actually clapped. It brought me to tears. This makes a unique & sentimental gift that parents can cherish forever & many have used them to create their thank you cards for baby gifts too!
PROMPTLY CHILDHOOD HISTORY JOURNAL OR ADOPTION JOURNAL- This may be the item on this list that I recommend the most. The Promptly Journals provide a space for parents to capture every part of their child’s life, from the first trimester until they are 18. The pages are perfectly thought out with prompts to help capture the special feelings of each stage. I keep a stash of these on hand anytime I find out a friend is expecting.
PARACHUTE BABY BEDDING- When we set out to create Buddy’s nursery I began to learn just how hard it is to find simple, timeless & sophisticated baby bedding. Recently I found the Parachute baby collection which turned baby bedding up on it's head. They are 100% linen & bring a delicate touch to a baby space while also being irresistibly soft.
FAWN DESIGN ORIGINAL BAG- Similar to the baby bedding, I was finding it challenging to find a diaper bag that was functional and fashionable. Enter the Fawn Design bag- simple in design, vegan leather, & it can be worn over the shoulder or as a backpack. They have classic colors & even mini versions for siblings who want to match mama.
KELSEY DAVIS DESIGN FAUX STUFFED ANIMAL TAXIDERMY- Customizing the nursery space is something many parents spend hours dreaming up. I loved the sweet and sentimental items we curated for Buddy’s nursery & when we got our hands on one of Kelsey’s designs it was the perfect addition to his room. Her faux stuffed taxidermy animals are the perfect touch to customize any space, even Elsie Larson of A Beautiful Mess agrees.
PRENATAL MASSAGE- This one is just for the mamas and oh do they deserve it. There is nothing like the gift of relaxation & restoration. Mamas' bodies work hard during pregnancy/motherhood & they are generally going non-stop as they gear up for baby. A gift card to a spa that offers a prenatal massage will ensure that the mom-to-be is pampered, as she should be. If you are in Oklahoma City I HIGHLY recommend Udander spa!
BOOKS: It has become common practice to ask for books in lieu of cards for baby showers. If you are in need of a great baby book check out my post on favorite baby books birth to 6 months & my post on children's books for a better world.
A note about baby registries: The list I have compiled is not intended to replace a baby registry but rather share some unique & cherished options for someone who wants to gift something outside of the registry. That being said, I am a HUGE fan of the baby registry!! I personally spent two full days constructing our registry- everything from nursing supplies, to baby gear, to the stroller & our rocking chair. I did this to keep a running list for us as to what we needed to have in place before baby arrived. But I also can’t express how helpful it was to receive some of the small items like the breast milk storage supplies or the big items from our parents, like the rocking chair (that we still use multiple times a day in the nursery). I say, with confidence, that there is everything right about gifting items from the baby registry, so don’t hold back if that’s the route you want to take!
I hope this was helpful & gives you some fun, meaningful & useful items to gift those adored parents-to-be as they prepare for their new baby. Let me know if there are other favorites you have given or recieved.