Themed Gifts and More

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of requests for gift suggestions. 

I’ve been working on the ”Gift Ideas” section of the website for that very purpose. 

 

Here, I’ll share some ideas for gift giving with ease and style. Enjoy! (I apologize for the formatting - I just can’t figure it out today).

 

Tips for Great Gift Giving :

 

Gather as much info as you can before you start out

 

1. Narrow down your price range first - there is no point in shopping outside of your budget

2. Think about who you’re shopping for - are they close by or are you going to have to ship (weight and size considerations); girl or boy; age; interests (of parents if a baby); other family members that might also enjoy the gift

 

 

Give yourself a timeframe

 

We’re all busy, but if we know when and where the gift has to be well in advance, and we plan for it, gift giving can be so much less stressful and ultimately more fun.

 

 

Pick a theme for your gift

 

This is something I’ve started doing in the last few years and I find it not only helpful but much more fun.    You can start out with a broad theme and narrow it as you shop.  It’s easy once you get the hang of it - it’s something like painting a picture or writing a story (though artists and writers might argue that their task takes a little more skill). 

 

A theme can be related to a period of time (baby’s first year), a place (in my crib), a time of day (bathtime or naptime), something kids like (animals, a colour,  a toy), or a season/holiday.   This can also apply to any occasion - an active couple might enjoy a workout-themed wedding shower gift (His and her Sigg sport bottles and some fluffy white towels would be perfect).

 

You now have some great parameters to work within:  size of gift, budget, gift-recipient, theme.  Now your shopping will be targeted and organized. There’s just one more thing to think about… 

 

Packaging

 

If your gift has a specific theme, try to carry that through in the packaging.  Elaborate boxes and gift wrapping will just become recycling or trash.  I have picked up dollar store sand toys, colanders, bath caddies, food containers, and flower pots to use as baskets.  Then I simply arrange the gifts inside (use tissue to stuff the bottom to make the gifts stand out if the container is deep) and wrap with a cellophane bag (3 for $1 at the dollar store and can be reused as a trash bag later).

 

If all else fails

 

Some of the fabulous Stork suppliers have created their own gift sets which will be appreciated by everyone.  Simply attach a little ribbon and a card with a heartfelt message and you’re off to drop off your gift.

 

Here are a couple of examples of themed-gift sets that we’ve created at Stork (and one ready-made option from Westcoast Baby).

 

Giraffe Gift Set

This gift set includes:

Sophie the Giraffe: Made in the French Alps with natural rubber and non-toxic paint,

Sophie has been safely cuddled and chewed for over 40 years!

Giraffe Wall Graphics: Made by Wee Gallery, you can quickly and easily create

custom wallscapes with these oversized self-adhesive and removable wall graphics

- just peel and stick!

Great value at $55

Bath Time Luxury Gift Set

Draw a warm bath, add some luxurious very lightly scented bubbles,

gently lather baby in tangerine baby wash on an adorable washcloth (or 3),

and when every one is clean and shiny, wrap baby up in the luxurious cotton

of a fluffy Kangaroo Towel. Ah... bath time. This gift basket includes:  

-Soft and cozy (and practical) kangaroo towel in your choice of pink, blue or white

-Little Twig Baby Wash - Tangerine 8.5 oz

-Little Twig Bubble Bath - Tangerine 17 oz

-Little Twig Body Milk - Lavender 8.5 oz

-Little Twig Washcloth

-Duck Bath Scrub 

Great value at $99.99

Includes gift wrap & shipping

 
 
Westcoast Baby

This Nesting Kit is packaged in a custom made keepsake tin and makes the perfect gift
for an expecting mom or baby just born. It includes an Infant Kimono, Beanie Hat,
and Cocoon blanket all coordinating in Signature super soft jersey.
Fits babies 8-12 lbs
Available in the 4 colours shown as well as vanilla with baby blue trim or baby pink trim.
Our price $53.99

 

Filed under Gift Ideas | Comment (0)

Online and Sale and Local Ottawa Event - Get Geared Up for Cooler Weather

 

 

 

 

While you’re there, why not stop by Hush and pick something up for yourself too!

      10% off ALL Knuckleheads and Hula Mula

      50% off end of line items from www.StorkBabyBoutique.Com

      Enter our draw to win a hip baby lap tee (your choice of girl or boy design)

      FREE coffee while you shop

      FREE gift with purchase

 So, bundle up and bring the kids (or enjoy some kid-free time) and join us for a great morning of fall shopping (or a whole weekend online!).     

Filed under Sale, Stork News | Comment (0)

We Have a Winner! Mashala Baby Organics Giveaway

Congratulations to Stephanie MacIsaac who has won the Mashala Baby Organics Giveaway! 

We hope you (and your children) enjoy the Newborn, Daily, Calm and Comfort, and Gentle vapor organic massage oils and the little door sign, and that you let us at Stork know how baby enjoy’s his/her massages.

Filed under Contests and Giveaways, Stork News | Comments (2)

First peer-reviewed study links BPA to adult diseases

Globe and Mail article describes study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). 

We’ve been talking a lot about BPA (bisphenol-A) this year and its hazards to babies and children; Health Canada banned its sale in baby bottles and at Stork, we sell all kinds of alternatives, from BPA-free baby bottles to stainless steel sippy cups. 

Due to the immense pressure from the corporate lobby in the US, the FDA has not categorized this as a harmful substance, nor has this chemical garnered nearly as much media attention in the US as it has in Canada.  It’s hard to believe, but friends of mine who are very health-conscious and very physically-active who live in the US, were still walking around with Nalgene bottles until I brought them SIGG bottles about 6 weeks ago.

Today, we read about the first study to show an association between BPA consumption and adult-onset diseases (cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes).    This study is published in a well-respected peer-reviewed journal.  While, I know that an association does not mean a cause (in my other life I work in medical research so I would be in big trouble with my boss if I even ventured to suggest this…),  it is still an association… SO, until we know more, why chance it?  

We’re BPA-free in terms of plastic in our house but I guess now it’s time to look at cans more closely… 

It’s sure hard work being an educated consumer!

Filed under Stork News | Comment (0)

New Product - Mashala Baby Organics - Tried, Tested and True

Massage is an ancient form of baby relaxation and parent-baby bonding that mothers all over the world have been relying on for as long as they’ve had babies! Baby massage is used to soothe the newborn, relieve colic, heal dry skin on babies and kids of any age, help babies sleep, or clear a stuffy nose or chest. The benefits are endless, but the biggest benefit is the bond that is built between parent and child as they spend time together, emotionally and physically connecting.

Whether you are expecting a baby, already have one (or more), or know someone who is, Mashala Baby Organics has the perfect products for you.  I received a sample of each of their massage oils, Newborn, Calm & Comfort, Gentle Vapor and Daily Use plus an adorable little pillow to hang on the doorknob that says “SHhhhh… Infant Massage in Progress”.  After testing each one, I’m sold. This would make a great gift for a first-time parent… and now, we have it for you at StorkBabyBoutique.Com.

Mashala Baby Organics is a Canadian mom-founded company that has a nice story behind it. It’s the merging of two ethnicities from two sides of a family, both putting an importance on infant massage for many generations. The recipes, passed down from great grandmother to grandmother to mother to daughter, are the backbone of Mashala Baby Organics. The oils are all-natural and organic, and feature ingredients such as olive oil, holy basil and chamomile.

The oils can be purchased individually, or as part of one of 3 gift sets - we at Stork love the Organic Blessings  set.  It includes a beautiful wooden barrel filled with each of the four different massage oils, and a special sign for baby’s bedroom door to let people know “Shhh! Baby Massage in Progress.

The oils are all lovely - they’re not strongly scented, which is very important for a small baby (and for sensitive parents). Even the Gentle Vapor oil is mildly scented; just enough vapor for a baby to feel its gentle effects. The cost of the set is $32.99 and  any mom will love it.   The best part, it comes with easy to follow instructions on how to do infant massage - nothing too complex (the simpler the better for new parents, right?)

Stork is going to give away a set of each of the 4 massage oils and a “Sshh massage in progress” door sign/pillow to one lucky Stork Stuff reader.

Enter 3 ways:

1)  Subscribe to the Stork Stuff Newsletter (right column of this page)

2)  Make a purchase on Storkbabyboutique.Com and let us know that you would like to be entered in the draw.

3)  Leave a comment about this blog post telling us why you might like to have these products.

You can do all of the above and get up to 3 entries in the draw.  Contest closes at midnight EST on Friday, September 19, 2008.  Winner will be announced here on Monday September 22nd and the winner will be contacted via personal email.

Filed under Contests and Giveaways, Product Reviews | Comments (3)

Knuckleheads and Hula Mula - better than ever!

In a market that is notoriously limited for boys clothing, Knuckleheads Clothing has created a line that moms and kids will love, and dads will envy too.  This season boys can score kid-durable, super soft extra washed long-sleeve tees; vintage inspired striped polos that no kid from the 60’s would have been without; and some new twists. The line also features some of their tried and true classics like their adorable pub hats and skate caps, and the bestselling Knuckleheads Hoodie.

 

Moms with fashionable girls can feast their eyes on Knuckleheads’ sister line Hula Mula.  This season’s dresses are the thing in a strong palette of black and white houndstooth accented with fuschia.  Hula Mula is also a 2008 Earnie nominee for best new brand, in overall design.

 

And for moms whose boys and girls are not yet tots the season includes their popular infant line of soft comfy one-pieces, rompers, and onesies.

For celeb watchers out there, here is Caden Costner in the classic Knucklehead “Face Tee”.

The Stork families personal favorites are the Rugrat Shirt and Escondido Ski Hat from Knuckleheads and the Rude Girl Dress from Hula Mula (gotta love the design names!).

This is the line that inspired the creation of Stork (the online store) and Stork Stuff (the blog).  I first came across the Knuckleheads brand in 2005 when I was searching for hip clothes for my son Dexter. 

So, feel free to shop now for Fall ‘08 items, which we’ll continue to receive over the next month or so, and shop again in late Oct/early Nov for the holiday lines (lots of bold stripes and strong reds and blacks). 

Filed under Gift Ideas, Product Reviews, Stork News | Comment (0)