Sweet Baby Gifts

Well when my niece had her first birthday, she got her own cake. We took a picture of it before and after. You can also keep the outfit they wore when it was their birthday. If you have a girl, have her wear a really nice outfit/dress and keep it as a keepsake. Same thing goes for if you have a boy. Save the babies birthday candle that has the number 1 or save the candles you used for the cake.

For their first Christmas, take a lot of pictures, save their favorite toy, their first stocking, maybe video tape it.

i’ve got a keepsake frame that came with the clay or whatever mold inside, but it was expired, so i could not use it to take my baby’s handprint. Is there another material (plaster) i could use to do that? thanks.

Often, those "kits" for baby handprints are just a super-soft polymer clay (like original boxed Sculpey) but I’ve never heard of polymer clay "expiring."
You can of course do that yourself (wash your baby’s hand with soap afterwards before they can put in their mouths to be uber-safe) by using any kind of permanent frame that can withstand the low 250F or so temp that’s needed to harden polymer clay if you bake them together… or use a temporary frame (even of aluminum foil with "walls" scrunched up), then remove the baked clay afterward and put it in a frame (on a backing if too small, etc).

You could also use plaster, I guess, either the kind of Plaster of Paris you get from the hardware store, or the more refined kind sold at for crafts (and definitely wash afterward).
Or you could use an "air-dry" clay like Creative Paperclay or Crayola’s Air Dry Clay (don’t try to speed up the drying on that one) or you could even make your own salt dough or bread clay, but be aware that air-dry clays can shrink some so may not be the exact same size as your baby’s hand and all must be sealed after drying.

Here are some kits, info, and photos:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=how+to+make+baby+handprint+clay+plaster
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=baby+handprint+clay+plaster
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=baby+handprint+kit

HTH,

Diane B.

I bought 2, one for my daughter and one for my nephew. They were expensive! Only to find out that Grandma bought the same ones. So I decided to take mine back. However, Hallmark doesn’t do returns on Keepsake Ornaments. I have the B is for Babies (and Booties) and the Classic Pooh Baby’s First Christmas. Does anyone want them? They were $15 and $18.50. Or, does anyone know of any other place that carries Hallmark Ornaments?

No, I don’t need one. But try listing them on Craigslist!

I am 37 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. I have a two year old son who is very excited for his baby sisters arrival. Hes always rubbing my belly and asking for baby. What is an age appropriate craft my son can make for his sister? I came up with a few ideas like a keepsake box and photo frame. I am open to any other ideas or referrals to good craft idea sites. Thank you!

You could:
Make an outfit for her that has his hand prints on it with paint
Make Big Brother shirt
You could make signs by finger painting
You could make tamborines which requires two paper plates, a stapler, beans/rice, and markers. He could use this to celebrate her arrival.
You could buy those cardboard shaped boxes [they are small and can be decorated. Plus they come in many sizes] He can put glue on the box and glue tissue paper to it. Then you can put glue on top of this finished project. It makes a cute looking box for knick knacks

Some other toddle crafts are:
Making a necklace out of cereal

Good Luck!

My little brother will be welcoming his firstborn into this world in October. I want to do something really special, something that would be a keepsake. We are a religious family, so anything that could incorporate God would work really well. That being said, it doesn’t have to be spiritual. Does anyone have any ideas?

FYI: For my firstborn, he reupholstered a beautiful antique chair that went in her nursery. She now has it in her room and loves it. The chair will be with her forever, so I’m looking for something heirloom-ish like this.

I think a photo frame with each of your immediate family members in it. Maybe even as they were babies. This is something I think s/he wouldn’t be able to appreciate right off but as s/he grew older s/he would come to love. There are so many beautiful frames out there (different colors, different shapes) you could find something that would incorporate into her/his nursery quite well. Even a old antique frame with a matte to fit it plus the pictures would work.

If that doesn’t work, Try a keepsake box. This is where all members of your family put something meaningful into a box. Then you could say a prayer, close the box, and s/he will be able to open it when s/he is ready. (newspaper clippings, jewelry, a hand written note/poem, video, etc..)

Did you ask the hostess for one or did she give you one without your asking (assuming you like keepsakes)?
I guess what I should really ask is - should I ask her for one? She already sent them out.

Ahh yes. I just took one, didn’t really "get" one.

what did you put in your baby first keepsake box? i don’t really know what to put in it

Hospital band
Umbilical cord clip
Crib Card from the hospital bassinet
Lock of hair from first haircut
All of baby teeth
Pictures from every birthday
Fingerprints (not only cute but good to have in case of emergency)

I want to know what everyone is going to do. I would like to have same kind of baby arrival ornaments/gift/ keepsake for the people that came to the hospital to meet my new born (of course it would be only a few family and close friends) what are you planning to give out??? you now of any good wed site to give me ideas? to do something handmade?
well… I went to see my friend and he did… it was a little handmade doll with the birthday, and name of the new born I thought it was a nice idea!

I gave out Hershey’s kisses that were wrapped in light blue foil with "It’s a boy!" on the flag paper thing. you can go to the Hershey’s website to get them. I also ordered a round sticker to place on the bottom of each kiss that said "Kisses from Logan Tate" (my baby’s name). It was so simple and so cute! I got lots of good comments on them. I think I spent like $60 for them. got like 200 pieces of candy. Most people will only take a couple and I was also able to give them to the nurses and doctors as well. Plus you have a small sticker as a keepsake for your baby book!

My boys were easy- a noisy fire truck, or a noisy ambulance, or a noisy ANYTHING. For a girl? I don’t know. She already has so many dolls it’s scary. I want to get her something extra-special, but something she can play with- after all, keepsakes are really more for mom than baby, right?
No more dolls.
If I get her a noisy vehicle her brothers will take it from her. Unless it’s pink.
She has been walking for over four months-no help needed there. She RUNS now.

A fisher price walker/tricycle
Little tike’s slide, Playhouse, ride on toy
Look for something out side

i really want one of those first birthday keepsake books where all the guests write a special birthday message in it for the birthday boy and he can see it when he gets older bit like at a wedding, but i cant find one anywhere!! have tried Ebay but when i type in what i am looking for no searches results came up .any one have any ideas??
have tried Clinton Cards also

I got one for my daughter at www.birthdaydirect.com. It was called Pooh’s 1st Birthday Keepsake Book. It’s Winnie the Pooh so good for a girl or a boy. I have ordered alot of items from this website and the delivery time is fast and you should have it in time for his birthday. Hope this helps.