Best of Etsy: Baby gifts

Whether you’re celebrating a baby’s birth, birthday or one of the many other accomplishments in a young child’s life, you want to show up with a great gift. These handmade Etsy finds make for unique offerings that are bound to impress.

Help new parents keep their baby clean and crucial accessories organized with the help of this stylish baby gift set made by Sarah at Sarita Baby. It comes complete with a matching bib, pacifier clip and toy tether so Mom and Dad can have everything their little one needs on hand at all times.

SheKnows Canada: How do you pick out a special baby gift?

Sarah: I like to find something that is very unique and not something that the mom-to-be is going to get loads of at her shower(s). I always love buying handmade or making something myself using what I know about them to base my fabric choices [on].

SK: What do you think sets your pieces apart from other, similar products available on Etsy?

S: I like to think that my quality is top notch. If it’s not perfect, I don’t send it out. I’m always inspired when fabric shopping as to new prints that I will incorporate into my line. I try to use some different fabrics that wouldn’t necessarily be thought of for baby accessories as well. I’ve also recently started an organic line, making all of my regular baby products into organic to give customers another option.

To commemorate a birth, birthday or other special occasion, check out this personalized print created by Debi at Sugar Pickle Designs. The print can be completely customized with whichever details and colours you want. It’s a wonderful, one-of-a-kind gift that both child and parents are sure to look fondly on for many years to come. And hurry over to Debi’s shop, because for the next five days, she’s offering 50 per cent off your purchase when you use the code “SHE101”!

SheKnows Canada:How do you pick out a special baby gift?

Debi: Before I had children, I would either get something on their registry, or I would buy a cute outfit. After I had my own children, I started to really think about what I was getting the new mom-to-be. When I was pregnant for the first time, there were all these wonderful gadgets on the market I put on my registry that were all supposed to be “helpful” or “assist” with raising your child. I found that 60 per cent of the stuff I asked for and received at my baby shower that I thought I needed I never used. The two best gifts I got when my first child was born were a pack of new undies in my pre-pregnancy, original size and a gift card to the mall for a new pair of jeans. At the time I received it, I was pregnant and didn’t think much of it, but once my child was born, I realized how amazing it was to be able to have new unstretched undies!

At my first-born’s baptism, my mother and father each got him a personalized gift. One was a baby keepsake box with his name engraved on it to hold all his special baby stuff, like hospital band and first haircut. The other was an engraved baptism certificate holder. Both of these items he will have to treasure forever even when he is all grown up and moves out. So now when a friend or family member has a baby, I try to remember these thoughtful gifts, and I apply that thought process to my decision as to what to give them.

SK: What do you think sets your pieces apart from other, similar products available on Etsy?

D: My wall art prints offer a simple but sophisticated fun look that can be matched to any nursery. They have a typography art look to them. The detail prints can be made in any colour; the information can be changed to suit each baby or child; and they can come with a picture of the baby or child on them or just be the details. There are many shops that offer custom birth detail prints, but not many that offer any detail prints from birth on. I make mine for any age, to celebrate any milestone each and every year, not just the details about them at the time of their birth. Something the child can have forever to remember what they were like as a child and maybe even pass on to their children or grandchildren. I even had one customer buy one of the Picture Subway Art prints for her husband for his 50th birthday, with all his lifetime milestones, that she displayed on the table as a centrepiece at his surprise party!

Showers and birthdays might technically be about the baby, but you don’t want to forget about the mom! Fortunately this lovely mama and baby care set made by Bonnie Joyce at Georgina Naturals has something for both. It comes complete with diaper cream, cheek and lip balm, a baby massage bar and nipple balm, all made with 100 per cent natural ingredients, so it’s sure to be appreciated by mom and baby alike.

SheKnows Canada: How do you pick out a special baby gift?

Bonnie Joyce: When choosing a baby gift for someone special, I look for the perfect combination of practical, insightful and fun. Having a baby is an exciting, emotional and nerve-racking event. It’s important to help prepare Mama by offering her gifts she can actually use — preferably something more interesting than a simple bib or onesie — as well as something that will brighten her day with a chuckle. My favourite gifts are the ones that she keeps close after the baby is born and uses often.

SK: What do you think sets your pieces apart from other, similar products available on Etsy?

BJ: My products are unique because they are not only natural, handcrafted and family-safe; they are beautifully designed to have character and charm. Each and every one of my products is given a name that’s fun, quirky and relatable. I know that every new mom who picks up Feeding Frenzy Nipple Balm will say to themselves, “My poor, aching boobs. Feeding frenzy is right!” When I started Georgina Naturals a few years ago, I wanted to create natural products that were accessible, effective and that would encourage people to consider switching to healthier, more earth-friendly body care. It’s tough to get people to change their way of thinking, to veer [away] from the products they grew up using and trusting. Unfortunately today there are so many hidden dangers in the products found on drugstore shelves, as big multinational brands attempt to lower their costs by using cheap chemical ingredients, preservatives and fragrances. I see mother after mother come to me with children who have developed allergies, rashes and eczema, likely caused by the chemicals in our environment and by the junk that now fills our shampoos, lotions and creams. Once parents try switching to natural products made with real ingredients, they immediately see the difference. Ditching the clinical look for something more fun and relatable is my way of connecting with my customers and showing them that I’m grateful for the opportunity to be on their bathroom shelf.

Parents are bound to be overloaded with generic, store-bought baby clothing. So instead of adding to the pile, offer them something that can’t be found just anywhere. This lovely floral baby dress created by the talented team of Jenna, Phyllis and Pat at Zoe alittlebit is sure to stand out from the pack and become a cherished piece of baby attire.

SheKnows Canada: How do you pick out a special baby gift?

Jenna: We pick out a special baby gift with the personality of the mom and dad in mind, and often if there is something unique about the family, we will try to match a gift to that. For example, a co-worker of ours is from the Maritimes and grew up with the ocean as her backyard, so her baby quilt was made with different ocean print fabrics and put with a book about a day at the ocean. Pat will often make themed hats for gifts — an owl for a nature lover, [for example]. For us, it is never about the cost but about what suits the person you are giving the gift to.

SK: What do you think sets your pieces apart from other, similar products available on Etsy?

J: We hope that our pieces are made with the greatest of detail, and we endeavour to give the same quality to our customers that we would expect if we were to purchase a homemade gift. We try to ensure that all our products are of top quality, unique and the fairest price that we can give. We buy the bulk of our raw material here in Regina and often use patterns we find on Etsy. We try to support other Etsy sellers as well as our local merchants. Often we will buy a piece of material and wait for the right pattern to come along that will fit that material. All of our dresses are made to fit our main model and muse, Phyllis’ granddaughter, Zoe, and this ensures that the size corresponds to “store bought” as closely as possible.

New parents are bound to receive plenty of baby blankets, but that doesn’t mean you have to rule them out as a gift option. These swaddling blankets from Jenn Ois at Sweet Memories Quilts are a fresh and unique way to offer this traditional gift. They’re made from 100 per cent organic cotton and viscose from bamboo, and they’re completely free of toxins and synthetic fibres.

SheKnows Canada: How do you pick out a special baby gift?

Jenn Ois: Baby gifts are as individual as Mom and baby. Always consider the following:

1. Is there a specific colour scheme for the nursery or otherwise? Moms often like to colour-coordinate accessories and/or have a general preference or dislike for specific shades.

2. Is this Mom’s first baby? If so, she will have more need for basics, like baby wipes, receiving blankets, onesies, burp cloths and crib sheets, etc. If it is the second or third, you may want to check in to see what she has already. Also, good-quality items that can be used for second and third babies if this is the first will be especially practical.

3. Does Mom want to keep baby in organics and eco-friendly textiles? If so, she will not be thrilled with the three-pack of blankets from Walmart.

4. Consider handmade. These will be beautifully crafted items that you can trust and feel good about gifting.

SK: What do you think sets your pieces apart from other, similar products available on Etsy?

JO: Our shop is unique in that we offer exclusively organic and eco-friendly items, so you can trust that everything is safe for baby. We are always on the lookout for new textiles. In addition to organic cotton and bamboo, we also offer soy and Tencel blends. Visit us often to find out what’s new. Our receiving blankets and crib sheets are almost exclusively made with stretchy fabrics. They are the softest option for babies and are excellent for a good, tight swaddle. In addition to neutrals, we also offer a wide range of unconventional colours, including black, red, purple and lime green, just to name a few.

Having a little touch of light in a baby’s room is important both for child and parents alike. And you certainly don’t want a special friend or family member having to rely on the light from a dim or generic store-bought night light. Instead, turn to the adorable creations made by Karine Foisy at Veille Sur Toi, such as this cuddly bear or this cute fox.

SheKnows Canada: How do you pick out a special baby gift?

Karine Foisy: When I look for the perfect baby gift, I try to think of something unique and original. I love finding a decorative accessory or a handmade piece. I try to avoid the usual gifts we see in most baby showers, one the mother will hardly remember who it came from. I try to find a gift that will not only last but will create a fond memory — the gift that will make people talk!

SK: What do you think sets your pieces apart from other, similar products available on Etsy?

KF: My pieces are handmade one by one with great care. Each piece of glass is first cut, then assembled to form a character, then baked and decorated. My night lights are colourful, fun and endearing. I try to give personality to all my characters. They are companions who will watch over little ones, and I want them to be important in the lives of these children. My customers can also send me a picture of the room so I can customize the night light. I can create a piece that would be perfect in the child’s room. A unique gift!

Whether they’re newborns or have already celebrated their first birthday, babies require a whole lot of clothing. You can help moms and dads hang their baby’s attire in style with the help of the personalized baby hangers made by Melanie Thebeau at Hangers By Melanie.

SheKnows Canada:How do you pick out a special baby gift?

Melanie Thebeau: While picking out a baby gift, I look for something unique. I like to pick out a gift that lets me personalize it to fit the baby I’m buying it for. That’s why I started making baby hangers as gifts to friends and family, which over time became a business of mine. There are so many different ways to personalize a baby hanger, which keeps it fun and exciting.

SK: What do you think sets your pieces apart from other, similar products available on Etsy?

MT: What sets my pieces apart are the many different ways you can personalize them. For example, the hanger colour, spelling the baby’s name, writing something special (birth date, baptism date, quote). You can also add bows, flowers, animal pictures, sport logos, etc. They make a great newborn, baptism or birthday gift.

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