Congrats to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law for bringing a big, healthy, beautiful baby boy into the world last night! His name is Braydon Matthew. I waited 9 months to find out if I needed to buy pink or blue gifts and then another 24 hours to learn if Braydon was to be spelled with an “en” or “on”. After “Googling” in anticipation, I learn that Braydon had 6 spellings and ranked #64 on the boys 2007 list. So it got me thinking about baby names and personalized gifts…

I own a few books with titles like “100,001 Baby Names”. Totally unnecessary considering that I can look up anything online these days. But I thought I would share my favorite “Little Book of Baby Names” that entertained me in the office (b/c it was small enough to hide in my purse) thanks to an old work colleague named Jenny!

Now onto the gifts now that baby’s name has been announced! Something Personalized = Something Special. Here are a few fun, personalized ideas that will also personalize baby’s room!

1. Forget the little blue box - that was wedding. Red Envelopes‘ red box is just as nice for baby. This personalized snow globe makes an elegant, inexpensive keepsake for baby.

2. The stool is a must for the toddler years but buy one early from The Cubby Hole. Playing with a wooden puzzle while learning his or her name starts a lot sooner than later.

3. The personalized baby blanket is given but mom should also throw one over the rocking chair not only for display but to prevent the back of the chair from getting dirty. We really enjoy our wonderful initialed two tinas blanket and we think you will too!

4. The growth chart is just fun and there are so many sweet designs to choose from at Land of Nod.

5. You’ll be surprised how quickly you will carry a lunch box for your little one when eating out or at the park. These personalized Warm Biscuit boxes double as great display and storage for cards and crayons.

6. Back to the rocking chair: Mommy’s back will also enjoy a beautiful, contemporary custom pillow from Mimi and Lola.

Tags: Books, Gifts, Names, Personalized

Here’s an idea. One-of-a-kind, personalized artwork that adds a subtle touch of modern to the nursery without going overboard and costing a fortune. Sound appealing? Let us introduce you to Mod Memento, personal heirlooms on paper. These prints are a unique and modern way to incorporate new baby’s name into the nursery or home. Wall letters and monogram decals can look nice but why not use the story of falling for your mate in the artwork too? Great keepsakes are all about the details!

Mod Memento’s digital prints can be ordered in any color combination to match your little one’s nursery and are totally custom made to reflect your style. You can even send owner and designer, Brianna, a swatch of fabric to tie in specific colors. She whips up these beautifully bold and colorful creations in her home studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. Inspired by typography, digital art and photography, Brianna’s fun designs arrive ready to frame for instant gratification (love that). You can find Mod Memento’s entire collection at her Etsy Shop or become a fan on her Mod Memento Blog. One lucky Project Nursery reader will win a custom print of their choice. The winner is going to have a very tough decision on their hands.  Birth Story, Monogram, Baby Love and Family Tree are all amazing, you can’t go wrong. Good Luck!!

WIN IT NOW!

1. Comment on this post with your favorite Mod Memento Print

2. Extra entries are counted by 1) posting on our Project Nursery Forum (up to 5x) 2) subscribing or commenting that you are a subscriber and 3) blogging about our giveaway. Don’t worry, we track it all!

3. The winner will be selected at random by using random.org

4. Contest ends Friday, November 7th, 11:59pm pst

CONTEST CLOSED - Congrats to Sharon!

Tags: Gifts, Giveaways, Personalized, Wall Art

I’m embarrassed to admit that I currently have a fairly long list of overdue baby gifts I need to take care of. You would think that as a writer of a children’s blog I would have endless ideas for great baby gifts, but just like everyone else I get stumped. I’m always on the hunt for new go-to gift websites for great baby and birthday presents. Enter Lisa Callanan and Christina Tedesco. These two women met through their two little girls on the first day of preschool in the fall of 2005. As they got to know each other they shared the idea of starting a business that centered on what they cherished most in life: their kids. 2 Little Stars was launched and today their business offers a full product line of stylish and personalized blankets, burp cloths, bibs, onesies, tees, tag blankets, personalized accessories and more. Every item is made of high quality, luxurious fabric along with a unique design that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Project Nursery is a sucker for anything personalized such as the darling pony-tail holders and toddler letter tees. For that new baby, the handy burp cloths and tag blankets make wonderful newborn gifts. For a limited time, 2 Little Stars is offering a special discount to Project Nursery readers. Just enter code “PROJECTSTARS” at checkout and receive 10% off all orders. This offer is good through November 3rd.

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Tags: Baby Showers, Gifts, Personalized

LOVE your child’s room walls with a little Poster candy from Made By Girl. Jennifer Ramos‘ LOVE Candy collection of posters in tangerine, grapefruit, mint, lemon, watermelon, and cotton candy couldn’t be any sweeter.

Learn your ABC’s and your name. No wonder why Jen’s ABC KIDS is her most popular poster. One can personalize it with their child’s name, “Love” or “Amor” and even customize color. A wonderful addition to any nursery!

And just a bonus if you are from, like or named Brooklyn. All hip posters and fabulous card collection are made by one cool girl!

Tags: Personalized, Wall Art

We are always on the hunt for unique, one-of-a kind baby gifts. Sure, giving layettes and booties are sweet (and necessary) but there’s some pressure on us now since running a baby blog! PN subscriber Carla tipped us off to a terrific gift for a friend’s or family’s next arrival worth giving: Personalized baby blocks from Memories & Milestones. 

Each personalized block is hand sanded and hand polished in solid maple. One block can include a Preferred Initial, Full Name, Date, Time, Weight, Length, Parents Names, Day, City, State of Birth, and Special Gift Message. Blocks are $18 and include free shipping.

Like many of us, Mom and owner Erika, thought to herself “What would be a feasible career/business with three, (now four) small children in the house?” She quickly realized “that preserving memories became a priority and necessity”.

Erica’s blocks are also ideal for preserving other milestones such as graduation, baptism and wedding to name a few. We appreciate these blocks as they will not only remain a cherished keepsake but look great on display in your child’s room!

Tags: Gifts, Holidays, Personalized

Look what the Stork brought me! Clever birth announcements to cherish…

Meet the magnet announcement people, StorkMagnets. I guarantee grandparents all over the world will never take down their grandchild’s birth announcement from the fridge. So functional of course but what amazes me is the quality. It’s a creative, professional picture announcement with a solid magnetic backing. With StorkMagnets, you can create custom photo birth announcements instantly online in just a few easy steps: Choose your design, customize your print, load your best pic, select an image and order your quantity. Announcements will be shipped for free within five business days! Who needs to pre-order birth announcements anymore?

And while Project Nursery is purely a kid design blog, I have to take a moment and to pay tribute to my first children: my Yorkie babies. I can’t help but let out a big “Awe, how cute!” when viewing their canine and feline options! Enter StorkMagnets monthly drawing here for a chance to win a free set.

Tags: Announcements, Magnets, Personalized

Just last year I sent a customized storybook to a friend’s child and thought “How cool! It includes her name and birthday.” Little did I know that this was just the tip of the iceberg and I was missing out on a way better product. Meet that product: The First Adventures of Incredible You by the award-winning personalized storybook company, “Custom Made For Kids“.

Custom Made For Kids offers over 20 places in The First Adventures of Incredible You where details about a child, his/her family, friends, favorite places and family traditions can be seamlessly incorporated into the rhyming verse in the book. There is also a dedication page so they will always remember that this special gift came from you! Appropriate for boys, girls (up to 8yrs), all ethnicities and family structures, the Custom Made For Kids book comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Relish in your child’s cherished memories during story time. It will warm your heart. Take the virtual book tour to see for yourself. If you love it or know of someone special who will, write us a comment and one could be yours in our featured weekly giveaway. You know the rules…

Tags: Books, Discounts, Giveaways, Personalized