Lately, it seems I am getting lots of invitations to baby showers. I love being part of the welcome party for a new baby’s arrival. It reminds me of when I was the mother-to-be and all the excitement and joy that comes with it. New babies are a reminder of all that is right in the world.
Baby shower invitations bring with them not only an invitation for a fun party but an invitation for a baby gift as well. Oh– what to give the baby to be? If I am in a rush, I will make a contribution to the group gift option. Not very creative but I know I am helping with a gift that the new parents probably wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.
Another not very creative but useful choice is going on the baby registry. This takes a little more time than just writing a check for the group gift because you need to wade through all of the requests in order to find the right gift that expresses your desires for the new baby.
I used to ignore the registry and give my “standard” baby gift: toys and books. Especially if it is for a first baby. I enjoyed helping the family get their toy and book collection started. I usually choose an infant toy/book and then one for toddlers so that the baby would have something to grow in to.
But what I really like to give, when I have the time, is a personalized, handmade gift. There is nothing more that shows true love and support than giving something made by hand. I asked my daughter (who is the first time mom of my 20-month old grandson), what were some gifts she received that she really appreciated. From her ideas, I created two gifts to give. The first was a binky clip.
Binky Clip
The all important and mother’s sanity-saver, a pacifier (aka binky), requires not only a way to keep track of it, but also a way to assist in keeping unwanted germies away. Thus, the wonderful invention of a binky clip. Basically, a binky clip is a piece of ribbon. On one end is a Velcro loop to attach the binky and on the other end, is a mini suspender clip that can be attached to the baby’s clothing. When a baby stops sucking on the binky and it falls out of his/her mouth, the binky clip saves said binky from falling to the ground and getting misplaced, allowing for a quick return back in the baby’s mouth.
I went to Joanne’s and purchased one inch wide ribbon that had a design that was baby friendly. I cut a 26 inch long piece of the ribbon and slipped one end of the ribbon through the suspender clip. I matched the ends together, forming a 13 inch loop with the clip at the bottom of the loop. At the loose ends, I folded them in 1/4 of an inch and sewed them together. I then sewed down each 13″ side, stopping just before I got to the clip and where the machine couldn’t go any farther. Next, I sewed a piece of Velcro 1 inch in width, to the top edge of the ribbon. I then folded the top down about 2-1/2″ where I sewed the companion piece of Velcro.
Lastly, I attached the Velcro pieces together, forming a loop. That is where the new mother can open up the loop and slip the ribbon through her baby’s favorite pacifier.
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