When it comes to gifts for expectant mothers or newborns, practical gifts such as diapers and newborn baby clothes are always popular, but keepsake gifts are extra-special items that will always be a reminder of early life. Baby blankets are beautiful gifts that will keep the baby warm and cozy but can also be kept and passed down from one generation to the next.
You Can Make Your Own Baby Blanket
A very nice personal touch for a baby gift is to present a new mother or mother-to-be with a homemade baby blanket. These blankets often become a child’s favorite “blanky” or an heirloom. Baby blanket patterns can be found on the Internet and are usually quite simple to follow. Baby blankets can be knitted, crocheted, or sewn from soft fleece. However, these projects will take a bit of time, so if you’re not feeling industrious, you may be happier to purchase a blanket. Of course, personalized baby blankets for boys and personalized baby blankets for girls require that there are both color and pattern differences to identify the genders.
Choose From a Variety of Baby Blankets
There are many types of baby blankets to choose from, so it’s important to know what’s available before you buy. Swaddling blankets for babies are blankets that restrict the movements of newborns. While this may sound like an odd concept, a snug fit recreates the soothing feeling of the womb and can improve colicky symptoms. Receiving blankets for babies can really refer to all types of baby blankets. Security blankets for babies are any blankets that are favored by tykes and toddlers and carried around for comfort. While some parents discourage their child’s attachment to a particular item, studies show that a baby security blanket does indeed help a child with separation anxiety. Wearable blankets for babies are sometimes similar to swaddling blankets. Wearable baby blankets are sometimes called sleep sacks; they are bags made out of blanket materials that zip up around the baby. This is a safety feature that prevents the child from becoming suffocated by a blanket. Loose blankets that interfere with breathing are one of the causes of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Tag blankets for babies were invented by a mother who noticed that babies were particularly interested in the tags on commercial products, even more than the products themselves. These blankets feature securely sewn tags around the perimeter.
Add an Extra Special Touch with Personalized Blankets for Babies
While personalized baby blankets are super as they are, you can go a step further with personalized blankets for babies. For just a little extra money, you can add a name or monogram to a baby blanket, which will make it an heirloom. Most sites that sell baby blankets will offer personalization for an additional fee, typically about $5 to $15. Some companies will preselect the color of the embroidery thread for you in a shade that matches the blanket’s pattern; others will allow you to choose your own color. In the latter case, you can pick a shade that will almost blend in with the background of the blanket for a subtle effect, or a contrasting color that will stand out and make a statement. Adding personalization to a baby blanket also has a practical application: the blanket will always be identifiable and cannot easily be mixed up or mistaken for another.
Personalized baby blankets need not just have a name or initials. Many people include the baby’s birth information, such as birth date, height, and weight; names of family members or gift givers; poems or songs; or wise quotes about life and love, such as this one by writer Frank A. Clark, “A baby is born with a need to be loved—and never outgrows it.” You can search the Internet for other great wise quotes about life and love. A great site to help you choose what to say is fillintheblankie.com.