Traditional Gifts To Welcome a Newborn Baby

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Welcoming a new baby into the world is a happy and joyous occasion, and one that is to be celebrated by the new parents’ friends and family. Globally there are some very interesting gifting traditions when it comes to newborns, but today we will be focusing on the traditions which are present in the UK - many of which are also very popular traditions in the USA too.

Traditionally speaking, baby gifts for UK babies tend to be highly sentimental and are often something that the baby can treasure throughout their whole life as they grow into adulthood. It is not uncommon for certain gifts to be so special and sentimental that they are passed down from parent to child across the generations. If you are planning a special gift to help welcome a friend or family member’s new baby to the world but are not sure where to start when it comes to traditional and personal gifts, then this guide is for you.

Silver

Silver is one of the most loved traditional baby gifts for UK families, and it takes many different forms. For example, silver jewellery such as baby bangles and necklaces are popular gifts for newborns, though they must always be worn under supervision and are great for things like photoshoots and special occasions such as baptisms.

Silver feeding sets are one of the oldest traditional silver gifts, with roots dating back to the 16th Century when silver was seen as a status symbol and a good luck charm for the baby. A traditional silver feeding set will include a small cup, a spoon and a fork in fine silver. While they are not exactly practical for feeding time, they make lovely keepsakes and often become treasured family heirlooms. For an extra special touch, have your silver gift engraved with the baby’s name and date of birth, or add a sweet message.

Keepsakes

One of the most popular types of gifts for babies are keepsakes. A keepsake is a small, sentimental memento which celebrates an occasion such as the arrival of a new baby. Keepsake boxes are a traditional baby gift in the UK, and there are many different kinds to choose from.

A personalised baby money box makes a lovely keepsake and is something they can enjoy as they grow up, but you can also choose things like handmade rings and bracelets that can go into jewellery boxes, or keepsake boxes which can be displayed in the nursery. Keepsake boxes are also often themed, such as baby’s first tooth or baby’s first lock of hair.

Framed baby photo

A framed baby photo makes a lovely gift for a newborn baby, and is something that will look charming when placed in the nursery or on the mantelpiece. You can either choose a photo yourself to put in the frame, or give the frame blank so the parents can choose their favourite photo of their new baby. Silver is a traditional colour for photo frames for babies, but you can also look at options in wood, glass, or other metals depending on what works with the decor.

Rattles

Rattles have long been a traditional gift to welcome new babies in the UK. They are an almost universal symbol of babyhood, and are used by many cultures across the world. If you would like to choose a rattle as a gift then you will need to decide on whether you want to choose one which is decorative and sentimental, or one that is safe for the baby to play with.

Symbolic rattles in silver can be engraved with a message or the baby’s name and date of birth, though rattles which are designed to be used by newborns are usually made of much softer materials in order to make them safe for small babies.

Choosing the perfect gift for a baby

While you may love the idea of giving traditional gifts, there are plenty of other options you can consider. For example, a modern gift for babies of close family and friends could be to open a savings account for the child that they can enjoy when they are older. It is usually made accessible to the child once they hit a certain age such as 16 or 18.