As you well know, we are pregnant with baby #5 and kind, generous people do still ask if we need anything. And it occurred to me that a beautiful way to welcome a new baby into our family with multiple other children is to encourage, inspire, and add beauty to our family as a whole and to our home.
So I began looking for items that bring Christ into our midst as a family unit or as individuals within the family. Plus I like to support small businesses especially Catholic ones and (well-made) handmade items are some of my favorite because they are so beautiful and unique.
So I began looking for items that bring Christ into our midst as a family unit or as individuals within the family. Plus I like to support small businesses especially Catholic ones and (well-made) handmade items are some of my favorite because they are so beautiful and unique.
Obviously, things like diapers, wipes, and meals brought to the home will always be welcomed with open arms and glad hearts, but just for fun, here are a few other creative ideas for welcoming baby and congratulating and supporting the family of that new little one. You'll notice these aren't necessarily specific to "new baby", but are more of a way to bless the entire family and add beauty and grace to their lives for years to come.
1. Inspirational Prints and Pictures
There is nothing like a beautiful print or picture to lift your spirits (if even for a moment when you are in the thick of the craziness that is parenthood, especially newborn parenthood, and especially newborn parenthood with tons of other little monkeys running around.
There is nothing like a beautiful print or picture to lift your spirits (if even for a moment when you are in the thick of the craziness that is parenthood, especially newborn parenthood, and especially newborn parenthood with tons of other little monkeys running around.
I love everything from Katrina of Hatchprints! If the child is named for a Saint, a fitting quote could be a sweet gift, but any uplifting quote could be a wonderful addition to a home and bring the family members peace and joy. My current favorite is her Totus Tuus print (my love for that phrase dates back to Chris and my time in Rome when we first saw a picture of Our Lady with the words Totus Tuus underneath-courtesy of JPII who wanted a picture of Mary in the Vatican plaza). Several weeks ago she had a giveaway (make sure you follow her on IG) and asked her followers to share their favorite of her prints. That was mine, though they are all so lovely, you can't help but love them all. Over the past year or so, I've picked up a few of her prints (such as the ones below) for our home and as gifts.
(this was a gift for Chris for Christmas)
(my little sister received this one for her wedding)
I recently discovered Jessica from Sweet Little Ones and love her work as well, most especially her "Be Still & Know" print and her "Choose Joy" print. Aren't they just lovely?
My friend Kristin at Inspired Life Co. makes (among other things) the most gorgeous floral monograms. I know I'd love to have letters for each of the kid's names to use to (finally) decorate their rooms a bit and add some beauty and personality to their space.
Another beautiful, meaningful gift would be a lovely Saint portrait of the patron Saint of the new child, other children, and/or other favorite Saints of the family. Tracy from Portrait of Saints does amazing work, and I've been drooling over her lovely work for awhile now. She has an amazing selection of Saints. I love them all.
2. House decor
A new baby generally brings a bit of chaos and mess to a house during that transition phase as everyone adjusts to life as a family of (insert family size #). Some fun new decor can add some excitement, order and a touch of loveliness to that messy chaos.
My friend Sheena at BeaninLoveStudio makes the cutest pillow covers, and sometimes a simple spruce up or a fun new look in a room can make the house feel more like home. My personal favorite is the Kravet Ishana cover in the picture, but I love the Citron Leaf a lot too. Sheena is about to go on "maternity leave" from her shop for a bit since she has a little baby girl coming soon, but she has a SALE going on now that you don't want to miss. Use coupon code 'ohbaby' to get 20% off any order of $25 or more--good until Wednesday!
A new baby generally brings a bit of chaos and mess to a house during that transition phase as everyone adjusts to life as a family of (insert family size #). Some fun new decor can add some excitement, order and a touch of loveliness to that messy chaos.
My friend Sheena at BeaninLoveStudio makes the cutest pillow covers, and sometimes a simple spruce up or a fun new look in a room can make the house feel more like home. My personal favorite is the Kravet Ishana cover in the picture, but I love the Citron Leaf a lot too. Sheena is about to go on "maternity leave" from her shop for a bit since she has a little baby girl coming soon, but she has a SALE going on now that you don't want to miss. Use coupon code 'ohbaby' to get 20% off any order of $25 or more--good until Wednesday!
Cristina at HandmaidEmbroidery makes the most darling hoops that would add a fun and rather whimsical element to a room's decor. She used one of Kristin's designs (see her floral monograms above) to create this particular hoop that is pictured. Isn't it exquisite? I also love and I mean LOVE her Lady of Guadalupe hoop. I'm sort of pining for it.
3. Gifts with Mommy in mind
Mom has just endured 9 months of a crazy, beautiful, uncomfortable, painful, yet wonderful journey to meet her newest little one. And the sleepless nights are barely beginning, so something to encourage mom, make her smile or feel pretty is always a nice idea.
OrganicMamasShop has a wide assortment of items, some of which fit into this Mommy category. My favorites are this teething necklace shown and the novena bracelets (see one version pictured below) which have movable crucifix charms so you can keep track of what day of a novena you are on. Additionally they carry rosary bracelets, nursing bracelets (like the novena bracelet except to keep track of when you last fed baby), earrings, and a subscription to a Mama's Box with fun items shipped to the mommy each month for a special treat. Another fun item for baby would be the teething rosaries they sell-SO cute!!! And I have a fun discount code for all of you to use for 20% off your order until May 31!! Coupon code is 'LAURAROSE'
I found this cute shop Pink Salt Riot with a fun assortment of creative jewelry items. My favorite are the Rosary bracelets pictured (one for Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, and Glorious). You can purchase them individually too if you just want to snag one. What a nice little item to have so you can easily say your Rosary while you nurse baby.
Jenna of CallHerHappy has the sweetest hand embroidered necklaces and there are SO many neat, creative designs. Someday I'd like to personalize one of her rosette necklaces with a rosette for every kid. My other favorites include anything with flowers and that adorable flamingo necklace. Seriously, go take a look. Everything is awesome.
Becky of BCInspirations makes the cutest things. She has an assortment of rosaries including some really sweet kid-friendly rosaries. Additionally she makes personalized bassinet pins (which would be fun to add to baby's room decor), car rosaries, bookmarks, and keychains. I have always been drawn to Our Lady of Guadalupe as one of my favorite depictions of Mary and her Lady of Guadalupe keychain is gorgeous!
KeoglerStudios is a shop owned by some fellow Franciscan grads, so I love their 'shout-out' to FUS households (Catholic brother and sisterhoods that people liken to fraternities/sororities in some ways). They have rosary bracelets (like the one for my household, Theotokos, pictured below) plus an assortment of lovely rosaries, music, and lovely art. They have offered a special discount for my readers of 10% off your order using the coupon code 'MAMALAURAROSE' plus they offer FREE shipping. The coupon code will be good for a week starting now, so go get ahead on some Christmas shopping or buy a new mama something lovely.
(this print comes as a boxed set of cards. totally want some!)
4. Something for Dad
Dad is the rock of the family. He's the protector, he's the provider. Having babies is a big financial, spiritual responsibility and a little 'shout-out' to all his hard work and love is never a bad idea.
I noted that Hatchprints (above) has a neat print for the beer-loving guy.
Additionally, Kendra (from CatholicAllYear) and her shop PrintablePrayers has some neat prints that the men especially might appreciate. There is a blessing for beer (see link), as well as a cool quote about St. Joseph and a St. Michael prayer print...plus more.
This is a fun beer mug with Benjamin Franklin's "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" quote etched on it.
Megan from BohoHandmaids has a really cool shop with a variety of men's, women's, and children's jewelry. Coming soon to her shop there will also be additional bridesmaid and wedding jewelry available. My favorite is the men's carved wooden bead St. Augustine bracelet. Rustic, earthy, and very masculine AND you can choose to switch out the medal for a different Saint of your choosing on both this and the Pope Francis men's bracelets in her shop if that's your preference or even add a monogrammed tag.
5. Fun for the Kids
The kids at home love having a new baby at home, but that transitioning time can be tough for them too, because Mom's attention is frequently on baby whose diaper needs another change or who is hungry again! :) Something new and fun for the other kiddos is a great way to help everyone in the house with the transition.
Over at HandmadebyMegK, you will find some really sweet felt Saint dolls. Each of our girls has a Saint doll currently, but they love adding to their collection. Most recently, Elise requested Bl. Chiara for her birthday. With the move, we've only just ordered it, and she is THRILLED! Meg also makes Mass kits and lovely stoles so that your little boys can play the priest at their own play Mass at home.
TheLittleRoseShop also makes cute dolls and has a beautiful sign that would be perfect for the kids' bedroom. Additionally they have sweet hair bows that I adore. In this house, hair bows and headbands are always welcome!!
The kids at home love having a new baby at home, but that transitioning time can be tough for them too, because Mom's attention is frequently on baby whose diaper needs another change or who is hungry again! :) Something new and fun for the other kiddos is a great way to help everyone in the house with the transition.
Over at HandmadebyMegK, you will find some really sweet felt Saint dolls. Each of our girls has a Saint doll currently, but they love adding to their collection. Most recently, Elise requested Bl. Chiara for her birthday. With the move, we've only just ordered it, and she is THRILLED! Meg also makes Mass kits and lovely stoles so that your little boys can play the priest at their own play Mass at home.
TheLittleRoseShop also makes cute dolls and has a beautiful sign that would be perfect for the kids' bedroom. Additionally they have sweet hair bows that I adore. In this house, hair bows and headbands are always welcome!!
PunchandJudyPegs has some sweet peg dolls. We took part in a Saint peg doll exchange, so we currently have many, but what caught my eye were the sets she makes. I have to admit that her Nativity peg set got me thinking about Christmas and just how much the girls would love a peg doll Nativity for our home. She also has a Little House on the Prairie peg set (Squeeeee!) that is darling. *Note* She's taking a little vacay from the shop for a couple weeks starting Wednesday, so if you see something you like, snag it up quick or wait for a few weeks to let her have a rest from all the First Communion peg dolls she's been creating in April/May.
MyLittleFeltFriends makes some really sweet items for kid play as well. From felt Saint dolls to finger puppets to bookmarks, she's got a variety of fun items. My favorite might be the St. Apollonia 'tooth fairy' pillow doll. We've just started losing teeth around here, and that pillow would definitely see a lot of use in our house.
5. Sweet Baby Items
And some baby stuff that adds a little fun and flare in case you just have a hankering to buy that new little one something special
I love everything from the TheKeenBean, but my favorites have to be the 'mushie' baby shoes. I don't do baby shoes until at least 1 year old except this type. The Denim Flower print for girls and the Mustache print for boys are my top picks, but they are ALL totally adorable.
Mima's Nursery Shoppe has some really sweet baby items such as blankets, burp cloths, drool bibs, and more! I personally want to try out some swaddle blankets (which also double as great nursing covers on the go) with this baby and my favs from her shop are the Star Swaddle and the Circle Swaddle blankets. The Dot and Butterfly prints are top picks as well.
What are some ideas you might add to my list?
Care to share any of your favorite little shops?
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Other fun links to shops/items
Blessed Is She has a lovely shop with ALL KINDS of neat stuff: shirts, prints, devotionals. They have been my go-to shop for Advent and Lent devotionals and I own their "I Found Him Whom My Soul Loves" shirt as well.
I love the headbands and bows from ThinkPinkBows.
I love the headbands and bows from ThinkPinkBows.
Under Angel Wings has really sweet, childlike paintings of Saints (and other sweet characters) that I adore. They would be a lovely addition to decorate the kids' rooms.
BrickHouseintheCity has a large assortment of lovely digital prints, quotes, decor (including a cool G.K. Chesterton quote that dad might really appreciate).
WhollyHoldford has quotes and beautiful paintings of Saints. My favorites are the Holy Family and her St. Faustina.
LittleThingsWorkshop has a bunch of cute cards (I love the Father's Day and Mother's Day card especially) and she has some lovely prints as well. Now that' we've moved to Colorado, I need someone to request a custom Colorado card set (if only I'd discovered her cute CA ones before we moved!!!)
I love the clothes, swaddle blankets, headbands, hats, and shoes (BOYS and GIRLS) from TesaBabe. You must check them out--I seriously want it all.
Over at HoneychildForest, Heather has whimsical decorative items and prints plus some car decals.
Another shop that has the cutest little felt Saint dolls is OurHeavenlyFriends. Their happy little smiles make me grin too.
I also love Rakstar Designs. She makes some lovely stuff. Her shop is currently low on stock because she's on maternity leave for a couple months, but my favorite items from her shop are her necklaces. They are beautiful, unique, and often incorporate Saint medals (totally want to customize some of those for our girls--maybe for First Communion or something...?)
All photos used with permission.
All opinions are my own. I did not receive product to promote these businesses. I simply love all these little shops and wish them every success. God bless!
All photos used with permission.
All opinions are my own. I did not receive product to promote these businesses. I simply love all these little shops and wish them every success. God bless!
