The arrival of a new baby into the family evokes a strong desire to express your most loving welcome. It has long been the norm, and not just in Western Societies, to give something special for the baby, and sometimes also, a gift for the mother.
Babies are often given an inordinate amount of goods for various reasons: to pamper the newborn, to help her mother care for her, to amuse and entertain her and to pretty her up. Oftentimes, when the gender of the baby is known before the birth, the baby is given gender specific gifts at a Baby Shower. But emotions run over when the baby actually arrives. We want to hand-make or buy the newborn something really special. How nice it would be if we could give an item that will be kept by the little recipient her whole life, something that will still be in perfect working order when she grows up and has her own family.
Baby jewelry has become a popular gift for both girls and boys. The most popular baby jewelry gifts are, and have always been, baby bracelets.
Why? Because baby bracelets can often be worn for a much longer time than a clothing item. Often a baby bracelet will have an extension for growth, enabling the lucky recipient to wear her bracelet for up to 18 months, perhaps longer. Most items of baby clothing are outgrown within 3-6 months. By that time, are not usually in a fit state to be kept, or given to the next generation. But after Baby grows out of her bracelet, it's still in excellent condition, as pretty as the day it was received, and is the perfect item to become the family keepsake. Her photos and baby portraits will record her wearing your gift and when she grows up, she will still have your precious gift and can give it to her own baby.
If you are buying for a newborn, you can choose a baby bangle or bracelet as tiny as 12cm long. If it has an extension for growth, this often allows for another 2cm. For a baby, this can mean another 6 months or more, even during this period of rapid growth.
If you're buying your gift as a Christening gift, she might be 6 months old or more. 13cm would be a minimum size, with an extension to 15cm. This should keep her wearing your gift until well after her 2nd birthday. If you want to give her a bracelet for her first birthday, length of 14cm, with an extension to 16cm is ideal. This will serve her right up until school age.
One important tip: Babies should not be put down to sleep wearing a bracelet. If the bracelet fits properly, it's less likely to catch on something and break. A baby can be surprisingly strong. A broken bracelet can mean small pieces can be put in her mouth and become a choking hazard. These gifts are for when she's awake and supervised.