Buying Baby Bedding for Your Grandbaby... Niece/Nephew... Best Friend's Bundle of Joy
If someone special in your life is about to have a baby, you've probably been in a shopping frenzy. There are so many adorable outfits, new-fangled gizmos and interesting toys on the market and you really feel compelled to spoil the baby... even before she arrives. Well, the truth is, a lot of other people - from the next-door neighbor, to co-workers, to life-long friends - are all shopping, too. They're buying the same cute little overalls, the same fuzzy bunny, the same educational rattle you are. So, rather than showering your daughter, sister-in-law or college roommate with a bunch of duplicates, consider buying her something she only needs one of -
baby crib bedding set. We recommend two online stores:
Baby nursery bedding is a really special gift, because it will be a daily presence in baby's (and Mom's and Dad's) life. The mother-/father-to-be will think of you every time s/he sees it - and think of how often that will be!
Did you see a baby bedding set you absolutely love? The proper etiquette here is that the choice of pattern should be reserved for the parents who will be living with the comforter, sheets, etc. on a daily basis. Unless you're prepared to react gracefully when your choice is returned, you must put the new parent's taste (or lack thereof) ahead of your own - no matter how exquisite your taste is.
Registry anyone? If the parents-to-be registered when they married, chances are they'll register for this blessed event, too. If they didn't register that celebration, there's still hope. Talk to them about how helpful it is to others when a couple registers their choices for baby. It's not selfish to register, though some couples feel uncomfortable about it. If that's an issue, remind them that people are going to buy gifts no matter what; they might as well get what they like. They should register for gifts in a variety of price ranges. That way, every well-wisher has a chance to purchase something for baby.
So, before purchasing the
baby bedding for the anticipated bundle, ask Mom where she's registered. Then, purchase the baby bedding pieces you wish to give from the registry list. If the chosen pattern is pricey, but is available in pieces, you need not buy every piece of bedding if your budget doesn't allow it. Want to buy the comforter Mom and Dad selected? That's a wonderful gift. Want to buy the sheets and bumper, since they are so cute? That's great, too. (Consider buying extra sheets, if you can. The crib will look its prettiest all the time if wet sheets are replaced with matching ones; and let's be real - they will be changed frequently.)
Usually, parents only receive one sheet that matches the bedding and they must supplement with solid colors or sheets that don't coordinate with the crib set. An extra matching sheet is a thoughtful addition to your gift.
If there is no registry, then you have to be more obvious about your plans. You'll need to come right out and ask what pattern has been chosen. Then, you can purchase it at Mom's favorite baby store, or comparison price shop to see if it's on sale anywhere. You may even choose to give the couple a gift certificate, stating that it's for the purchase of their favorite bedding. Most of us like to give our gifts wrapped and pretty, but it's quite easy to slip a gift card or check into a card along with a picture of the baby bedding clipped out of a catalog.
When shopping for those who love to shop/decorate, you may need to be proactive. Announce your plan to purchase the baby bedding (or key pieces of the bedding) early on, so the happy couple doesn't purchase it themselves.
Crib bedding makes a great group gift. Do your officemates want to chip in to buy a special baby gift for your lunch pal in the next cubicle? Baby's bedding is a perfect choice, especially for a mom who's registered. You and your officemates can look on line before you leave work and choose an unique infant crib set.
You know it will be used and appreciated. Plus, because it's a big ticket item, sharing the cost enables you to give a very special gift at an affordable price. Talk to your girlfriends in the neighborhood, your sisters-in-law, your sorority pals. Any group of well-wishers can chip in to swaddle baby in comfort and make Mom and Dad feel how loved they are.
Heirloom bedding is a priceless gift.
In some families, baby bedding is passed down as a gift of love. There's something very special about the idea of baby sleeping in Dad's Crib, cuddling Mom's blankets. Heirloom quilts, blankets and bumpers are beautiful, and add a sense of style and history to a nursery. But, before giving any family heirloom set (or an antique set you purchased specifically for this baby), a major safety inspection must be performed. Older fabrics or embellishments may not be safe for baby. There may be choking hazards or strangulation risks with older pieces. In order to ensure that the baby bedding is safe, find a reputable seamstress who sells handmade bedding and ask if they do restoration work.
Have any loose seams pulled out and re-sewn. Have any decorative cording removed completely. Consider having the original pieces framed and a replica made; it may not be as expensive as you think.
Carefully consider whether the heirloom bedding will be appreciated by the baby's parents. Just because your child slept under a particular quilt, doesn't mean that the parents will want it in their own child's room. If your child and his/her spouse tend toward modern house wares, the log cabin quilt which you planned to pass down to center baby's nursery design may not be the best gift. Be realistic. Most couples would love to receive a restored heirloom bedding set, but if that's not your children, all is not lost. If you have room in your home, you can set up a crib and use the beloved set at your house. Think of the joy it will bring you watching the baby sleep in the set in your home.
Animals nest, birds nest, expectant parents nest, and so do we - the many "expectant others" who eagerly anticipate the birth of a very special little person. In a way, we're all expecting when someone we love is about to have a child. It's our way of expressing the love we feel for the new little person with whom we've already bonded, but have yet to meet. You may not be choosing names or wallpaper, but you want to help prepare for baby's arrival, too.
What better way to do so, then by providing all the comfy trimmings for the infant's own little nest?
