Posts Tagged ‘115’

Most modern baby gear is cute and practical, but hardly worth holding on to.

For something more meaningful and lasting, check out the baby collection from Beekman 1802, a 200-year-old upstate New York farm turning out artisanal soaps and linens. Handmade 100-percent pure cotton swaddling cloths and bath blankets are woven by an award-winning master weaver and available in four colors inspired by historical dying techniques. An 8×8 inch washcloth is also hand-loomed and features a waffle weave for absorbency and softness. Pair it with the farm’s baby soap (a six-pack of chemical-free goat’s milk bars laced with soothing calendula to calm delicate skin) for a unique shower gift.

Heirloom-quality construction makes these linens keepers that can be passed down from generation to generation — and offers a far better legacy for your wee one than a onesie.

Available at beekman1802.com.

You kindly volunteered to throw a baby shower for your best friend/college roommate/sister-in-law. Now what?

The best keepsake of her special day is the sentiment. Baby Bliss in a Box is filled with cards for guests to write down their fondest wishes and homespun parenting advice (36 cards for a day-of shower activity plus 12 fold-and-mail cards for friends and family who cannot attend). The mom-to-be keeps the box as a memory and re-read the words of wisdom again and again after the baby is born.

Now that’s bliss.

Available at randomhouse.com.

Instead of handing over your hard-earned cash to a big corporate giant, you’re looking for ways to give back — even if it’s in small doses.

Online shop Namely Newborns (founded by two grandmothers, an interior designer and the co-founder of the Miami Children’s Museum) offers personalized gifts from artisans near and far. Colorful ABC quilts are handcrafted by women in rural Vietnam as part of Vietname Quilts, a community development non-profit organization. The cotton baby blankets are washable, and may be customized with baby’s name and birthdate.

You can feel a little less guilty splurging on your BFF’s baby shower gift knowing that it goes toward a good cause.

Available at namelynewborns.com.

Another friend had another baby, and while you’re happy for her new addition, it also means another gift. But she already has all the onesies in the world, her children’s library rivals Dr. Seuss and she’s got enough baby gear for Outward Bound.

Send a simple sweet treat: Simply Put Gourmet’s chocolate-covered pretzel get premium treatment for special occasions. The celebratory It’s a Boy or It’s a Girl varieties are drizzled with white chocolate and topped with pink or blue sprinkles. And at $10 for a box of six, you’ll get away with a thoughtful gift on the cheap.

Available at simplyputgourmet.com.

You’re planning a baby shower for your BFF, and you have no idea where to begin. How is a mere mortal supposed to entertain co-workers, in-laws and college friends all in one afternoon?

Get the guests chatting with The Box Girls’ Baby Shower Box of Questions. More than 60 cards with mini-quizzes like ‘Who among the parents’ friends will be the baby’s worst influence?” or “If you can have one song playing while the baby is entering the world, what song would you choose?” will get the buzz going. Add a few mocktails and onesie gift sets and presto: It’s an afternoon your fave mom-to-be will remember.

And it sure beats playing Pin the Tail on the Baby.

Available at theboxgirls.com.