Rethinking Baby Gifts

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about what we buy for our children.  Loads of cheap plastic toys line the shelves of Target and other discount stores calling out to our kids with their bright colors and low prices.  I recently bought a set of doll toys for $20 which included a bed, bouncy seat, car seat, carrier, changing pad and high chair.  Ruby has barely played with it and all the pieces are taking up space in her room.  Over the last few years we have accumulated a lot of toys that she barely plays with and have no aesthetic appeal.  I am starting to think about what I buy for other people when they are expecting or have young children. On Saturday, I went to a baby shower for a friend and I had been saving this vintage set of wooden stacking blocks for her baby since I found out she was pregnant.  I love how well it is made and how timeless it is.  I can't imagine Ruby's doll toys will be as good in 50 years. 

 

 

Homemade Journal and Jewelry Gift

I have been a part of a local Moms group since I had Ruby and it has been a huge blessing in my life. There is so much comfort in knowing I'm not alone in the daily joys and struggles of motherhood.  This year I decided to take on the role of a table leader, who basically is the contact person a small group of Moms and makes sure they feel welcome.  Part of that role involves providing a small gift for the first day. I wanted to share the sweet little gifts I put together for my Moms, I hope they like them.  

Not buying anything new, continues to have it's challenges.  We were given a little budget for this, so I was able to buy the journals, but everything else I put together from things I already had.  I started with the vintage clothespins, which I though would be fun to personalize with stamps.  Then I found the recycled paper journals with natural prints and colors at Target.  Next, I had a long necklace from a few years back with lots of dangling gold discs which I made into 4 pairs of earrings and 3 necklaces.  I cut out some cream colored card stock I had on hand with scalloped edged craft scissors and poked holes for the jewelry.  I clipped everything together with the clothespin and they are ready to go.

Custom Anniversary Necklace

My husband and I will be celebrating our 7th anniversary in a few weeks and it feels like the years have just flown by.  I was excited recently when I got an email from a friend of a friend whose wife is a Salvage Life customer.  He said their 4th Anniversary was coming up and he was interested in ordering a custom necklace.  We worked together on the design and then I made a custom gift box and bag, I also included a little note I typed on my vintage typewriter. 

Otete & Anyo

I fell in love with these keepsake stamps from Kawamura Hideo the moment I saw them over at Notcot. You can choose between a custom, lifesized stamp of your baby's hand (Otete) or foot (Anyo). The stamps can be used for paper crafts or they can be kept as a keepsake. Each stamp is mounted on a black grip engraved with your child's name and birthdate, and stored in a paulownia box with a print of the little hand or foot. The stamps are priced at 8,800 Japanese Yen (or about $95).

All tied up.

My brother had a birthday this past month and I was scratching my head, trying to think of what to get him. I've never really done much vintage men's shopping and I wasn't sure what would fit him. Since I am limited to used items, I had to think very creatively and I wanted the gift to have a theme. So, after keeping an eye on what he wears and listening attentively to what he says, I noticed a skinny tie trend and a mention of tie clips. A thrift store trip and a couple estate sales later I had a nice little gift box going. Unfortunately, I misplaced the tie clips for a few days, so the gift was a little late, but that goes right along with everything in my life and if there is anyone in this world who gets me, it's my bro. Happy Birthday brother! I love you!

I started with this vintage box.



Wool ties from the 40's and 50's.



An assortment of tie clips.



All put together!

New to You...

So it's halfway through March and we've been able to stick to our not buying anything new commitment. There have definitely been some challenges so far. One being gifts. I am not a re-gifter. Sometimes I save things people give me that don't quite suit me thinking that I will give them to someone else, but I can never bear to do it. I like choosing a gift for someone that is special and I think they will love. This year, the gift theme has of course been VINTAGE!

My dear friend and Salvage Life model, Katie, is getting married...YEAH! She had a couples shower and I gave her a 1960's wedding album that had never been used. I forgot to take pictures of it, but she loved it. Then for the ladies shower, I gave her two beautiful vintage slips which I am not showing you here because those are for her husband's eyes only. :) I wrapped them in these pretty boxes I had been saving with some vintage ribbon and a sparkly brooch on top. It was a lovely tea party and I think she liked the gift!


















me and Katie

Christmas Gift Idea

I'm not one of those parents who refuses to let their kids play with brightly colored plastic toys that make noise. I could live without the noise, but I know that the world isn't going to end if a toy isn't wooden and educational. But I still don't understand why Hasbro's Transformer's Revenge of the Fallen Construction Devastator is so popular. Sure it's a huge Transformer made up of six smaller Transformers, but those Transformers don't have individual robot modes. And you know that it's going to be hard for the average kid to put together.It also costs like $100.

But did my kid ask for it? Yes. And did I buy it? Yes. And it wasn't easy to find. But I found it at the second Target I went to, it was sold out online. And it only was $80. Do I feel like I paid too much? Of course. I think that Hasbro should have marketed this thing more toward fanboy collectors and not to children, who are usually broke due to the fact that they are just children after all.

I will write a review after the wee tyrant plays with on Christmas morning.

Christmas Gift Idea

If you haven't been completely turned off of Louboutins by Jennifer Lopez, you may find the Barbie by Christian Louboutin to be the perfect collectible gift. Christian dressed Barbie up as a cat burglar in a black catsuit. I'm so so about the Barbie, but am gaga over the accessories. Barbie comes with four pairs of red soled Christian Louboutins complete with tiny shoe boxes and storage bags. $150

Holiday Gift Ideas

I think these fabric calendars are wonderful. And I really like the idea that you can embroider around special days. And a cute calendar is the perfect gift, everybody needs a new calendar. It's not like you can use a 2009 calendar again.

Ige Design's Get Framed Calendar, $24. It is available in black or gold.

 

September House's DIY Calendar, $11.50.

Christmas Gift Ideas

German toy manufacturer, Haba designs some of the cutest play food available. Don't waste your money on plastic play food that will do nothing to inspire your wee one's imagination. The food is available at Amazon, Petit Baby, and Padilly.

The Ultimate New Baby Gift

Hermes sterling and leather baby brush and comb, $670.

Beatrix Potter Emporium

I received the following request:

Hello,

I would like to buy a gift from the work of Beatrix Potter for my little niece.

I live in Paris and I'm looking for a shop which sells these items (object, not books).

Could you please give me some adresses?

Best regards

Jérôme

The best place to start is probably the Beatrix Potter Emporium. They have a ton of gift ideas and they ship worldwide. I suggest the Miniature Coffee Set.

Extragagent Father's Day Gifts

Hermes Quicker Sneaker, $830.

Extravagant Father's Day Gifts

This isn't the recliner that our dads had in the sixties and seventies. Restoration Hardware's Buster Recliner is made of soft Italian leather. And it isn't something that needs to be hidden down in the basement. $2625