Gifted Presence

“First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage”. It’s a pretty standard progression—the tough part is knowing what to give that baby in the carriage. So to help we’ve got our annual Baby Shower Gift Guide, whether you’re attending the party as a discerning gift-giver or stocking up the nursery as a mom-to-be.

Those first baths can be stressful, but with a cozy, personalized, 100% cotton Hooded Gingham Towel from You Name It Baby, everyone will be comforted. ($29.99)

And speaking of comfortable, some tees, sleepers or onesies from Babibu make a perfect layette. The super-soft, baby basics (mom entrepreneur and Canadian-made) are made from bamboo fabric which naturally blocks the growth of bacteria and repels odors so baby stays comfy and fresh-smelling. And since bamboo is a sustainable and renewable resource, everyone can be comforted by the tiny eco-footprint, too. (From $14, available in 8 colours)

Baby will definitely win the Best Dressed Award with a Reversible Hoodie Set from Binksy & Bobo. Also mom entrepreneur and Canadian-made, this gorgeous set comes with a skirt or pants and reversible hoodies that allows for the growth of a child, simply by rolling down the sleeve with its contrasting print. A bit higher in price, they might not be something mom would buy herself, but she’ll definitely remember who did if she is lucky enough to open this gift. ($125)

Mom will look stylish, too with a Nursing Necklace from Lennah Designs (another mom entrepreneur we love). These nursing necklaces are durable and made from high-quality, non-toxic acrylic beads, but what we love the most is how great they look (we’re still wearing ours, even though weaning’s long over). OK, we love the over a dozen colour combinations, countless lengths, free shipping, and prices, too. (Starting at $20)

Baby needs a rattle, and the Organic Tree Ring Rabbit Rattle from Dress Me Up is sure to be a fave with its simple look and pleasing sound (there’s a wooden bead inside). And who doesn’t want to be friends with a rabbit? ($32.95)

When it comes to playtime, baby will love to kick back on the eco-chic and functional Go-La Rolla Portable Play Mat. With its waffle-weave, play-ruffle texture and three stylish colour combinations, mom doesn’t need to sacrifice style when pulling out this new accessory. And we love that the mom entrepreneurs behind Go-La Rolla donate a percentage of all sales to SickKids Foundation, too. ($99)

There’s nothing worse than losing a favourite toy when it gets tossed out of the stroller unnoticed, so set mom up with some Toy Straps from Simply On Board. The brainchild of mom entrepreneur Victoria Turner, the straps attach to the car seat, stroller or shopping cart on one end and to the stuffie, sippy cup or toy on the other end. (Available at Mastermind, $8.95)

There’s no point in ignoring diaper-changing because it’s a fact of life when baby comes, but with the Eco-Mat Diaper Changing Set from Thula, the job just got easier. Made from biodegradable and non-toxic Cellomer TPE foam and covered with Sherpa organic cotton or colourful microfibre, the larger pad can be used in the stroller or at the park as well, while the smaller Puddle Pad (to place under baby’s bottom) helps localize messes. ($39.99)

And if things come out wet after all that, mom will love to have a few Wet Bags from Maxwell Designs on hand to store the wet and dirty items until she gets home (great for bathing suits when baby is older). The beautiful and eco-friendly bags are mom-made in Canada. ($15.95–18.50)

With this guide, we’re sure you’ll win the unofficial Most-Popular-Gift-at-the-Shower Award.

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