I love giving and receiving personalized baby gifts. They feel like a compliment, as if the giver is saying, “Good job choosing such a cute name. Let’s celebrate!” Items bearing baby’s name are fun to incorporate in photographs, too. I especially like personalized gifts for second and third babies. Those kids will mostly be wearing hand-me-downs, so it’s nice to receive something new and fresh (that’s never been spit up on), just for them.
Although my babies will inevitably outgrow their need for bibs and burp cloths, I will never be able to throw away the personalized items that we received when they were born. They’ll go into the keepsake boxes alongside their coming home from the hospital outfits and first pairs of shoes. Here are some of my favorite sources for personalized baby gifts.
BFF Just Had a Baby? 8 Personalized Baby Gifts She'll Love
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Lovie
These security blanket-style lovies are made of soft, breathable cotton and silk and designed to hold mom's scent, reassuring baby when she's alone in her crib. (And if your little gets very attached to it, having it personalized will help keep it from getting lost.) Made by Comfort Silkie, the lovies can be personalized with script or block text, up to two words.
Price: $18.95
Photo: Comfort Silkie
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Mini Armchair
My daughter started sitting in this plush, toddler-sized chair from Pottery Barn when she was just 8-months-old, and she still loves it four years later. The slipcover is machine washable, which has saved us from many a minor spilling disaster. The company's customer service has been great too; even though the chair arrived already personalized -- a gift from friends -- they allowed me to exchange it for a color that better matched my nursery, no charge.
Price: from $79
Photo: Pottery Barn
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Bib & Burp Cloth Set
These adorable matching bibs and burp cloths are highly customizable, with many patterns, colors, and fonts to choose from. Use baby's whole name, or monogram with his initials. From Moonbeam Baby, they are 100 percent cotton and names are embroidered.
Price: $20.95
Photo: Moonbeam Baby
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Cozy Baby Blanket
Everybody loves a baby blanket -- for the car seat, stroller, or just cuddling on mom's lap. These clever designs from The Blanket Lady use baby's name to create the overall pattern. More than 25 colors are available.
Price: $65
Photo: The Blanket Lady
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Building Blocks
Etsy is an amazing resource for personalized baby items, like these baby name building blocks from the BitsyBlocks shop. They start out as nursery decor and soon become a teaching toy once baby is sitting up. Blocks are solid wood and come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Price: $7
Photo: Etsy
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Nursery Artwork
A custom animal painting featuring baby's name makes a charming gift. These handmade art pieces from TheBabyBlockShop on Etsy are painted on 16" x 16" canvas, and you can choose the animal, color, and text.
Price: $74.80
Photo: Etsy
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Hooded Towel
What's cuter than a baby all wrapped up after bath time? A baby wrapped up in a towel with his name on it! I love these plush cotton hooded towels from The Land of Nod. For toddlers, they also make a cozy personalized bathrobe.
Price: $29
Photo: The Land of Nod
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Puzzle Step Stool
My older daughter learned how to spell her name from hours spent doing the puzzle within this cheery step stool. Later, she used it to reach the sink when she brushed her teeth for the first time. From One Step Ahead, the puzzle stool can fit up to 12 characters, and letters are available in primary or pastel colors.
Price: $49.95
Photo: One Step Ahead
