Q. My soon-to-be sister-in-law is 6 months pregnant with her first child. My fiance and I are going to give her a prenatal massage as a Christmas gift…but I also want to get her and her husband something for the baby. I still treasure things that my aunts gave me as a baby, from stuffed animals to cute prints spelling out my name that hung in my bedroom for years. But my sister-in-law has very specific tastes and I’m sure she has a plan for exactly how she wants the nursery to look.
So…any ideas for great “auntie” gifts for a soon-to-be-born baby boy?
A. I love the idea of getting something for the nursery, but I agree: you should avoid getting anything that makes too strong of a style statement (a print, for example, might not be welcome). But there are options that will go with almost any style: for example, Anthropologie makes zinc letters ($18 for small; $98 for oversized) that are extremely cool-looking, and would work with anything from a whimsical nursery to a modern one – we have a small one in our nursery, and I love it. Another idea: buy a pretty picture frame in a neutral color (like the Epicene Frame, $24, pictured above) , and wrap it up with a picture of your sister as a baby (or you and your sister as babies).
Some more ideas:
– Build A Bear: We went last week, and it really is so cute. You get a birth certificate for the bear, name it, and include a heart that you’ve kissed and wished upon in the stuffing.
– Jonathan Adler Zodiac Pillow: At $98, it’s expensive (as with all Jonathan Adler stuff)…but I just love it as a newborn gift.
– aden + anais blankets are gorgeous, and something that she’ll use everyday (so: pretty and practical). I particularly love the Mela set (pictured above, $40).
– Speaking of blankets, Layla Grace has a great selection – I’m a particularly big fan of Little Giraffe and Kashwere (the duck blanket pictured above).
– If you move quickly, you can still get a personalized Fair Isle stocking from Pottery Barn. Order by today at 5PM, and delivery for Christmas is guaranteed (plus stockings are 20% off, with free shipping).
Click here for baptism gift ideas, and here for baby shower gift ideas.
Click here for my Holiday Gift Guide for Kids.
