gear – Page 11 – The Next Kid Thing

A Look Behind the Scenes at Macy’s Parade Studio

November 25, 2014November 26, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Tucked away in an industrial area of Moonachie, NJ, artists, builders and welders toil away in preparation for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. From the unsuspecting exterior, you’d never know that the office building that overlooks a distant NYC skyline houses the makings of magical displays and festooned floats. The 72,000 square foot building is home to Macy’s Parade Studio, which builds and designs many of the floats and balloons featured in the storied Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

After a 40-year stint in Hoboken, Macy’s Parade Studio has called Moonachie, NJ home for the past three years. From this studio, floats of all different shapes and sizes are designed, produced and assembled before the big day—Thanksgiving Day.

As families gather together, whether in-person along the parade route or in front of the tv to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, many hands had a part in the preparation for the festivities. Macy’s Parade Studio’s team of designers, carpenters, animators, metal fabricators and electricians are responsible for bringing creativity to life. As these creations come to fruition, the team must factor in logistics so that they’re able to make it from the Studio through the Lincoln Tunnel and safely to its Upper West Side destination by ensuring the floats can collapse to no more than 12.5 ft. tall and 8-ft. wide. And before the floats and balloons head for its grand NYC stage, we got a glimpse at the Macy’s Parade Studio for a firsthand look at some of the newest additions to this year’s parade.

This year, the parade lineup boasts the most new character balloons ever assembled, along with five new floats. Timeless classic Paddington Bear, Pikachu, Pillsbury Doughboy, the Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger, Skylanders’ Eruptor and Thomas the Tank Engine will take flight for the first time. Returning balloons include favorites Adventure Time, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Elf on the Shelf, Hello Kitty, Papa Surf, Ronald McDonald, Snoopy and Woodstock, Spiderman, SpongeBob and Toothless.

I had the chance to participate in a Q&A with Macy’s Parade Studio VP John Piper, who gave us a lot of really interesting background info on the parade, the new floats and how they get those floats from New Jersey to NYC.

Cracker Jack Popcorn, Beauty of Beijing, Dora and Friends, Goldieblox and Pirate’s Booty will debut as new floats this year. Inspired by America’s pastime, the Cracker Jack float’s modern baseball theme will be a home run with its live cameras, giving spectators a chance see themselves on LED screens aboard the float and providing a surreal take on the ever-present selfie.

Beauty of Beijing showcases ancient and contemporary elements of Chinese culture.

Nickelodeon’s Dora and Friends’ float, full of vibrant colors and bright details, showcases Dora’s new home of Play Verde.

The Girl-Powered Spinning Machine from Goldieblox brings creativity and engineering to life with a myriad of spinning gears, pinwheels, parachutes and jogging wheels.

Meghan Trainor, pop star known for belting “All About that Bass,” will be performing on the GoldieBlox Girl-Powered Spinning Machine. Ubiquitous lunchbox staple, Pirate’s Booty Treasure Hunt pirate ship will make its inaugural voyage with its detailed Treasure map sail and plundering Pirate at the helm.

New Jersey’s own B&G Foods, which is based in Parsippany, distributes Pirate’s Booty among other popular food and household brands.

The 88th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air Thursday, November 27, nationwide on NBC at 9am. The parade will step off at 77th Street and Central Park West and will travel down to Columbus Circle and continue down 6th Ave to 34th street and make its final turn at 7th Ave. in front of Herald’s Square.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade by the Numbers

16 Giant Character Balloons,

33 Novelty/Ornament Balloons, balloonicles, balloon heads and trycaloons

27 floats,

1,300 cheerleaders and dancers

1000 clowns

12 marching bands

Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower Set for November 12

November 10, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Big City Moms is set to take over the Metropolitan Pavilion on November 12th for the Biggest Baby Shower Ever. Since I’ve been covering the baby and kid realm, one of my most favorite events has always been the Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower. It’s true: the BCM Biggest Baby Shower is big.

As a blogger, the event is like a trade show where I get to chat with some of the hottest baby brands and meet some newcomers. From baby bottles to baby toys, BCM’s Biggest Baby Shower is an expansive forum where pregnant and new moms and dads can learn about the latest and greatest in baby gear up close and personal. With every shower, the Big City Moms’ events get bigger and better.

For this shower, vendors range from my favorites: Buy Buy Baby to 4Moms to Tommee Tippee to newcomers such as The Bunky Bag.

If you’re expecting or just had a baby, I absolutely recommend attending Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower. It truly doesn’t disappoint. From the informational sessions to meeting with the hottest baby brands to taking strollers for a spin yourself, BCM’s Biggest Baby Shower is an excellent primer on all things baby. As for the swag bag for attendees? It’s really as awesome as they say—overflowing is an understatement! (If you don’t already have yours, tickets that include the swag bag are sold out)

To attend the Biggest Baby Shower Ever, be sure to head to Big City Moms’ site to grab your tickets. Tickets are still available for standard tickets.

Review: French Toast Uniforms are Durable and Accessible

November 10, 2014November 10, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The kids have been in school for a few months now, and I wanted to circle back on some gear that has been sustaining us thus far. My older son, like many kids, wears a uniform to school. I tell you, the uniform, in many aspects, is our saving grace. As much as I love fashion and kid style, the daily routine of a school uniform streamlines our day.

Prior to the beginning of the school year, I had the chance to get to know French Toast, a well known school uniform brand. I’ve bought French Toast branded uniform pieces in the past, so it was a thrill to get a closer look at other items that this company offers.

French Toast sent us some uniform pants, an oxford shirt and vest, a look that my son wears day-to-day at school. A few items were bigger than I anticipated, but the pieces that he fits have worked so well thus far. I appreciate that French Toast has such an expansive selection of school uniforms on their site.

Here in New Jersey, I’ve found French Toast to be quite accessible at several discount retailers. French Toast also features personalization with select schools, and you’re able to shop the site by entering your school code if it’s available.

We weren’t able to try the personalized feature, but did notice our school was listed in French Toast’s database. At my son’s school, they wear custom sweaters and a certain type of plaid to denote their school. It certainly helps when there’s a more affordable option when choosing school uniforms.

We found French Toast not only to be accessible and affordable, but also durable. Like many little boys, my guy always comes home with holes in his pant’s knees. I can’t even count how many pants he’s destroyed from just being a rough and tumble little boy. It’s great to know French Toast offers pants that are durable, especially with their reinforced knees! As for shirts, I appreciate the quality and how the shirts tend to grow with the kids.

There are several features that help with the never ending growth spurts, but I especially love the expandable neckline. It’s like this shirt has growing buttonholes. My older son has always been off the charts, in terms of size and growth, so a feature like the expandable neckline is helpful when it comes to extending the wear of clothes. Just like the adjustable waistline found in most boys’ pants, this expandable waistline is a definitely a great reason to opt for French Toast uniforms.

All in all, French Toast uniforms continue to serve their purpose for our daily routine. Affordability, accessibility and sustainability are great selling points for these uniform pieces. Two months into the school year, I’m proud to report that our uniform pieces have been holding up well, and I have no holey pants in sight.

To check out French Toast’s line of uniforms for kids, make sure to head to their site.

Full disclosure: samples were provided to facilitate this review. As always, opinions on NKT are my own.

Fall Footwear: Baby Bogs Classic Waterproof Boots Review

November 3, 2014November 3, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

With this past weekend’s brisk weather, it was a vivid reminder that it is, indeed, fall. While I typically prepare the boys’ wardrobe by switching out the summer for winter clothes, unfortunately, their shoe and boot selection is often an oversight until we actually need them.

Fortunately, Bogs came to the rescue with impeccable timing this year. Selecting from a vibrant spectrum of cozy boots for the toddling set, I chose one of the new patterns to review, a black pair of Baby Bogs in Classic Trucks, speckled with blue, yellow and gray vehicles.

NKTBabyBogsReview

Baby Bogs feature a plush, furry-like interior lining. The exterior is constructed with a Neo-Tech insulation, which feels similar to wetsuit material, but much more durable.

The soles are lighter than typical boots, but still have a great tread for toddlers who like to run. And like many other styles of Bogs, Baby Bogs have handles along the opening, which makes for easy access for toddlers (or parents) to pull on.

At just 6 inches tall, these waterproof boots are light and unobtrusive enough for every day wear. Combined with the cozy lining and Neo-Tech exterior, Baby Bogs are suitable for cold conditions, up to 14 degrees. Just throw some thick socks or tights on, these boots are perfect even for those early winter days.

On our daily adventures, we found ourselves testing the waters at our lake—quite literally. My little guy walked up to the water and was so tempted to walk in the water, shoes and all. Because he’s 2, my fearless guy did exactly what I knew he would: he walked into the water. But because he had his Baby Bogs on, after I whisked him out, his toes and boots were totally dry and warm!

A few days later, we found ourselves wandering around the Bronx Zoo for a pre-planned press junket—in the rain. Thankfully, I had the foresight to bring along Littles’ Baby Bogs. He splashed puddles and ran through the rain, without so much of a slip, slide or wet sock.

I’m that mom that’s all like, “hold still while I take your picture. HOLD STILL.” In the rain!

While I love almost everything about these boots, I’d love them even MORE if these classic Baby Bogs were offered in a taller option as well. Overall, these are well made, versatile boots, perfect for these brisk fall days.

Ideal for the unpredictable weather patterns of fall, Baby Bogs are suitable for active tots who are exposed in all weather conditions and need coverage and definitive classic style. What sets these boots apart is that they’re durable, yet lightweight, which is important for often off-balance toddlers like mine. Best of all, should you find your kid ankle-deep in a mud puddle, Baby Bogs are machine washable. Puddle splashing FTW!

Baby Bogs are available in a variety of classic colors and designs and can be found at retailers like LL Bean, Amazon and BogsFootwear.com and retail for around $50.

Full disclosure: I received a pair of Baby Bogs to facilitate this review. As always, opinions on NKT are my own.

Fun and Easy Halloween Lunchbox Ideas

October 31, 2014October 31, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Happy Halloween! We get all into this spooky day by tricking out almost anything and everything…and, not surprisingly, that includes school lunch!

If you follow me on Instagram, you might already know that I’ve been a longtime lunchbox fan. I play with my kid’s food, all in the name of smiles. For Halloween, I thought of spooky characters and incorporated them into lunch.

An easy go-to for Halloween-themed lunches include pumpkin-shaped sandwiches. I usually make a turkey or ham sandwich, but something not too thick. I then cut the sandwich with my pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter which has the lines in the formation. For the fruit and dessert, I cut 2 slices and pop some mini-marshmallows in for the teeth. For some containers you can just place the slices and marshmallows without any help. Since my apple wasn’t that big, I had to use tooth picks to secure the apple-lip formation, but then the marshmallows stayed in place. I just put mixed berries on the side, or rather, Boo-berries. And finally, to give the lunch a super fun look, I threw in one of our Halloween rings I saved from our local ice cream shop. Spiders or other tiny trinkets work well for decor. Easy peasy.

For this lunch, instead of bread, I used a pita and cut it into fourths. I stuffed the pita with ham and mustard for an easy sandwich. For the veggie, I roasted sweet potatoes the night before, like you would sweet potato fries. But before roasting cut out a jack o’lantern face to give it a fun effect. For the fruit, I threw in more berries!

And today’s Halloween lunch includes an easy, kid friendly salad. Salad? Why salad? Because my kid will be consume candy by the fistful later, I thought I’d throw in some nutrition for lunch. In a Konserve stainless steel container, I mixed some greens, goat cheese, tiny apple chunks and cranberries. I included some honey balsamic on the side and will cross fingers at least some of it gets eaten! For extra measure, I made a quick pumpkin-shaped sandwich and berries. The candy eyeballs were totally for effect. I wonder if those will get eaten first?!

For me, making lunch isn’t supposed to cumbersome, but rather, fun and delicious. If it takes more than 10 minutes to make, that’s just not fun for me. If my 7 year old can’t do it himself, again, that’s not fun. So, rule of thumb, make lunch fun and keep it simple. So, with that said, here are just a few Halloween-inspired lunches.

So, if you’re not into bento boxes or fun lunches for kids, before you say “somebody’s got too much time on their hands,” consider this: bento boxes have been around for centuries in Japan, and they incorporate healthier eating by limiting portion size and encouraging more wholesome foods.

Happy Halloween!

Best Halloween Costumes for Boys 2014

October 29, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

We’re just few days away from Halloween, and more than likely, you’ve got your costumes all picked and ready to go. But for those of you who don’t, I put together a round up of some of the most popular boys’ costumes for the 4-8 year old range. Four is a bit beyond the cutesy animals and eight isn’t quite into all the gory monsters quite yet. There’s quite a few boy costumes that touch graze the gore factor but focus on that super hero/machismo theme.

Saban’s Power Rangers have some of the fiercest costumes at reasonable price points. My guys had the chance to check out the toddler ranger and the Red Ranger, both of which were bold and appear powerful with the muscle detailing. What we liked most about these costumes is that they featured a lot of details and were true to the characters from the show.

Spider-Man must have some kind of record for being one of the most popular Halloween costumes. This Marvel costume that can be found at Party City boasts lots of muscles and webbing details the only thing missing are the instant webs!

Batman is another favorite boys’ costume, particularly with the younger and much older boys. This toddler Batman costume mirrors the old school dark knight costume, and one that’s likely to be a hit with the littlest fans.

Ninjas seem to be a longtime favorite for boys, presumably for its mysterious, yet powerful stature. As opposed to the common black ninja costumes, this ninja costume from Halloween Spirit has green details that set it apart. Double swords and a draped mask complete this mysterious get-up.

Ninja Turtles are, perhaps, one of the biggest comebacks in terms of revived characters and surrounding frenzy. TMNT is expected to be one of the most popular costumes for boys this Halloween, so be on the lookout for all types of turtles, specifically in the likeness of Leo, Donnie, Mikey and Raphael.

Expect to see a lot of video game-inspired costumes this weekend, including Minecraft, Mario and lots of Skylanders. Activision’s über popular video game franchise recently released a new installment, Trap Team, so be on the lookout for Skylanders of any kind. My older guy will be donning a Chop Chop costume, which is essentially a ferocious skeleton warrior.

In case you’re on the lookout for a last minute costume, all of the above can be found at Walmart, Target, Halloween Spirit or Party City. Happy Trick or Treating!

School Days with Paul Frank

October 23, 2014October 23, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

For September, Saban sent us some awesome school supplies and essentials, all of which we’ve been enjoying. Paul Frank has a myriad of school supplies for kids of all ages, including notebooks, pencils, pouches and more. But, it’s the backpacks that we’re definitely digging the most.

These sleek backpacks keep it fun but stay stylish. I love the modern aesthetic of Paul Frank products. My older son loves the faux leather feel to this back pack. It’s easy to clean and carries everything he needs.

Be sure to check out Amazon for more Paul Frank backpacks and school supplies.

Full disclosure: As a Saban-Brandbassador, I received product samples to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions on NKT are mown

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Sneak Peek

October 20, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

And because Christmas is just two months away, I’m reluctantly, but excitedly looking ahead to the holidays. Actually, I’ve been thinking about the holidays since the summer because of all of the holiday press previews. I’m finally organizing my thoughts and ideas for this year’s holiday guide. As in years past, I will be categorizing my guide, starting age and possibly by theme. So, as a fun preview, here’s a sneak peek of The Next Kid Thing Holiday Gift Guide, babies and toddler edition.

NKTBabygiftguide14 The items feature above have been included in NKT at one point or another. Here’s a round up of just a few of the items I’ll be featuring in our gift guide:

Starting with the Stokke Steps, babies and tots can grow with this sleek seating system.
The Jack Spade/Kate Spade for Gap collaboration has my heart all aflutter, so I couldn’t help but include the fun blue oxford and striking red ballet flats with a gift bow detail at the bottom right.
Feeding gear and other practical baby items are among some of my personal favorite stocking stuffers and add-on gifts. As always, Tommee Tippee keeps it cool with these sweet section plates and Truly Spill Proof Straw Cups.
Stride Rite’s Isaiah Motion will keep the kids on their toes for the holidays.
Aden + Anais will forever be one of my go-to baby gifts because of its versatility and sustainability. liam the brave sweet dream gift set would double as a gift for mama and babe.
When it comes to classic kid powered toys, Melissa and Doug can do no wrong. Throw some pancakes into the mix, Melissa and Doug’s delicious playset is certain to be a toddler must-have.
Kitchen sets are a favorite when it comes to toddler big ticket gifts. Plan Toys’ newly redesigned kitchen set keeps its same small footprint and sustainable design, while showcasing its modern aesthetics.
And, perhaps some of my favorite baby board books to date, Baby Lit turns classic literature into baby board books. With fantastic imagery and graphics, simple one-word story lines, these line of books are perfect baby (or rather, parent) gifts for classic lit aficionados or English Majors like yours truly.

Stay tuned for more holiday gift ideas to come!

Highlights of the 2015 Toyota Camry

October 15, 2014October 16, 2014 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Because cars and technology are paramount purchases in most of our homes, many car companies have been reaching out to parent bloggers and including us in their media outreach. As such, I’m currently in Ponte Vedra for Toyota’s press preview for the 2015 Camry, Sienna and Yaris. Dubbed the Toyota Family Reunion, this press preview has involved a lot of test driving and presentations with company executives, including the marketing team, engineering team and the other brains behind the evolution of some these vehicles.

I will have much more information to share, but I wanted to unveil this quick Q & A I did with Camry’s Chief Engineer, Monte Kaehr. So, if there’s anything you need to know about the Camry, Toyota’s top-selling vehicle, Kaehr is your guy. Lucky me, I had the chance to shoot a candid, off the cuff video, where I asked Mr. Kaehr to highlight just some of Camry’s latest developments. And since many of you are like me, tech-minded, yet cautious consumers, I asked Mr. Kaehr to cover some of the latest security developments.

As mentioned, I’ll have more to share soon, but for now, check out what Monte Kaehr has to say about the 2015 Toyota Camry:

16 Practical Baby Arrival Gifts

September 23, 2014February 8, 2016 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s been the year of the baby for my circle of friends and family. Between a few neighbors to close friends to one of my cousins, we’re welcoming quite a few new babies these days. In fact, I was in the midst of stalking my good friend’s Facebook page the other morning, just waiting for a baby update, knowing that she went in for a C-section. So, I decided to write this post instead.

Between baby showers and registries, everything is preplanned and dictated, there’s not much spontaneous gift-giving going when it comes to baby, or is there? For close friends and family, baby arrival gifts are a small token to welcome and congratulate families. When gifting for baby’s arrivals, think beyond the tchotchkes and excess and head straight to the practical gifts. New parents don’t necessarily need more stuffed animals or ceramic sleeping babies, so when in doubt, give them something they will use.

After checking out remaining items on their registries, I love bringing my closest friends and relatives gifts that I’ve tried and loved. In other words: I love gifting baby products that my friends didn’t know they would need. On that end, here are just a few of my favorite practical baby arrival gifts.

NKTBabyarrivalGiftscollage

aden + anais swaddles
1. My absolute favorite gift to give friends are aden+anais swaddles. Over the past few years, this line of super soft and versatile muslin blankets has grown. They have exclusive prints for various retail partners and carry an assortment of other products such as bibs, sleeping bags and full size blankets. But for me, the aden+anais blankets are possibly one of the most versatile baby products. I loved using these swaddles as a sunshade (sorry, not a fan of those special blankets made for carriers), as a burp cloth, nursing cover, and of course, as a swaddle blanket. Because I used these blankets so much, I made sure to have several onhand at all time. I’ve even seen babies adopt the swaddles as their lovies; that’s a true testament to how much use these blankets truly get.

Honest New Baby Arrival Kit

2. Diapers, hands down, are one of the most practical baby gifts for new parents. On average, newborns go through 12-15 diapers a day, making them a huge commodity for new parents. If the new parents didn’t already stock up on their diapers, consider getting them a new baby kit, like the one from Honest. This kit is a sampler pack, and comes with 7 diapers, 2 small packs of wipes, hand sanitizer spray, shampoo and body wash, face and body lotion, healing balm and baby teether. Looking to splurge or chip in for a group gift for new baby? What about a diaper and wipes bundle, which starts at $79 a month.

Food

3. A home-cooked meal is always a generous gesture for new parents adjusting to their new normal. For out of town friends or family, I usually send pre-made meals or delicious frozen meals. The less effort involved, the better. One of my favorite resources pre-made meals is Fresh Direct since they deliver to my area now. Don’t have Fresh Direct near you or the new parents? Try ordering delivery from one of their favorite restaurants. Omaha Steaks and Schwann’s are both well known delivery serves that ship to many areas.

Earth Mama Angel Baby C-Mama Healing Salve

4. For many new moms, c-sections are unplanned and usually a medical necessity. In my case, my older guy was stuck and was in fetal distress. As someone who had a difficult recovery and didn’t get much advice, I appreciated when an acquaintance told me about getting some balms and other stuff for my recovery and soothing the incision. So, for close friends who had c-sections, I like giving them healing gifts. Earth Mama Angel Baby C-Mama Healing Salve is a favorite, and one that boasts natural ingredients like calendula, st. john’s wort, olive oil and a lot of other goodness.

5. NüRoo Pocket
The NüRoo Pocket is a baby wearing shirt that promotes skin to skin contact in the newborn phase. The shirt features a cross and hug closure that provides a custom fit as your body changes and baby grows. I met the creators of this amazing product a few years back and have been smitten ever since. This pocket is much different than carriers or slings, it gives more accessibility for skin contact while giving mama some mobility.

6. Custom ArtCustom artwork is a rare find these days. I love personalized art as baby gifts because it’s a chance to celebrate the new babe with a unique gift. To be safe, consider getting a modest size piece that would complement nursery decor. Paper Cut ABCs custom art from Minted is a fun framed piece that would dress up a nursery or playroom. Baby’s name personalized at the bottom makes this gift that much more special.

7. Photo Gift Card
With the prevalence of social media, the news of baby’s arrival is practically instant these days, complete with a photo slideshow! Call me old fashioned, but there’s nothing better than a classic paper baby announcement. While gifting a baby announcement itself wouldn’t be ideal, perhaps gifting a gift card to a photo site like Minted would be helpful for new parents. If announcements aren’t in the new parents’ realm, other stationary or printed photos of baby’s first few days would be a gift they’ll always remember. I can’t tell you the last time I had photos printed of my second son, but if I had a gift card, then my walls my be more even with both kids’ photos.

8. Baby hat
Babies have to wear hats to keep them warm, especially fall and winter babes. Most layette outfits come with those knit hats, but a truly warm, well-made but stylish baby hats are hard to find. I particularly love the look of this sweater bear hat from Baby Gap. The gray makes is modern but neutral, and a nice change from the pinks and blues.

9. Personalized baby robe
Bathtime is quality time for many families. For new parents, bath time takes on a whole new meaning. A fun personalized baby bath robe is a luxury, but also one that comes in handy when trying to wrangle a wet baby. The personalization on these plush robes from Red Envelope set them apart.

10. Unicorn
Pottery Barn has almost everything a baby and kid could ever need, including unicorns! While a unicorn isn’t a necessity, a fun playmat that isn’t a blanket always comes in handy. The unicorn is just something different and cool!

11. California Baby gift set
Chances are, the new mom received a lifetime supply of soaps and lotions at their shower—or did they? Every shower is different and every new parent is different. I had 3 baby showers, yet I didn’t receive any lotions or soaps until my friend sent me this exact California Baby gift set. I fell in love with all the different scents and I’ve been a loyal fan ever since. The thing about baby soap and shampoos, they last for awhile and smell so good!

12. Patemm
We change a lot of diapers during the baby days. It helps when we have stylish, but durable changing pads to help us out! Patemm is another one of my favorite gifts. They’re a luxury, but truly different. I appreciate the round shape and ability to store items in the pockets. Since we cloth diapered, Patemm pads were always our savior.

13. Baby medicine kit
One of the many things new parents often overlook is a medicine kit for baby. Sure, they’ve stocked up on thermometers and lotion, but what about medicine cabinet essentials for the first few months? Gripe Water was one of the must-haves for my first baby, yet I had no idea where to get it. Now, it’s practically everywhere, but as a new mom i had no idea where/how to get this necessity to calm my baby. Think of other baby essentials that might come in handy and send them some tips while you’re at it!

14. Sweet onesies
Selfies anyone? Baby may not necessarily need another onesie, but who can resist fun catchphrases or silly slogans on baby clothing? And Instagram Star? Genius. The babies practically own Instagram on my feed!

15. Pampering for mom
Whether it’s a beautiful nightgown with nursing accessibility or a generous spa card, mama needs a lot of loving too. If you’re family, ask to watch baby while mom naps. Make her go out for an hour to roam Target for an hour…anything, really, to feel a little “normal” helps. I personally loved getting a mani/pedi gift card, as well as comfy pjs that were incision-friendly AND nursing friendly. Belabumbum is a wonderful brand that has a beautiful range of loungewear for maternity and new mamas.

16. Baby socks
Not just any socks, but fun socks! Trumpette is best known as the novelty sock gifts for babes. I love the cute shoe designs, especially these argyle socks and loafers! Since babies don’t need to wear socks and baby socks always seem to disappear in the wash, you really can’t have enough cute little socks! One of the best things about these socks, other than being super cute, they actually stay on those baby feet!

But, as I always say to my friends, what works for me might not work for you. (In essence, gift thoughtfully and save those receipts!) Happy baby shopping!