| y wants to be a drop in the ocean and just a Tom or | | | | occupies the centre stage of the pillow while the |
| Jane in the crowd. It applies to the giver and receiver | | | | edging is in delicate shades of blue or pink polka dots. |
| of the gift. The person giving the gift wants to stamp | | | | • Another way of personalizing gifts within a |
| his or her individuality on the gift for the one and only | | | | short time is to arrange a basket full of goodies. Some |
| special baby in the world. This calls for personalized | | | | online shops have ready-made baskets for all |
| baby gifts. In days gone by this was the norm when | | | | occasions but this is something that can be done |
| granny knitted and granddad did some whittling | | | | quickly individually. The first thing is picking up the |
| wonders. But today nobody has the time and yet the | | | | basket or box that can be used later. The next is to |
| urge to personalize the gift remains strong. | | | | put in articles that match. For the newcomer the |
| In the age of the Internet the impossible is possible | | | | basket may contain a jumble of clothes, diapers, |
| – one can pick up personalized baby gifts galore | | | | pacifiers, bottles, baby-book and a kit for saving the |
| just by clicking and then ordering giving some specific | | | | tiny foot prints. Another basket can be bath time |
| instructions. It will be a tailor made gift. | | | | special with washcloths, mats, towel with a duck |
| • One such customized delight is a sports table | | | | appliquéd on it, satin covered hangers and |
| that has been handcrafted. The set comes with a | | | | gentle baby soap fashioned into animal figures. A CD |
| table and tools whose tops resemble basketballs. The | | | | of personally chosen lullabies and nursery tunes will |
| table corners hold grooves for balls. Then there is | | | | give the individual stamp. Another hamper can be full |
| another set depicting bold images of pirates and ships | | | | of toys from teddy bears to pull-alongs and huggable |
| on the backs of two chairs. The tabletop is replete | | | | Raggedy Ann. |
| with maps and treasure chests. Extra chairs are | | | | • A psychologist once pointed out that in |
| optional. | | | | choosing gifts for the little one we are actually |
| • A great customized gift is a pillow | | | | projecting our own unfulfilled desires. We are satisfying |
| personalized with the name of the baby on it. The full | | | | ourselves more than the child. What does baby really |
| name can be drawn on a large pillow while the initials | | | | love to play with? It delights in fingering clay, splashing in |
| can be put on the smaller version. Even the birth dates | | | | water, running its hands through sand and chasing |
| can be written on the pillows. There is a special | | | | butterflies. The clay can be replaced with plasticine but |
| elephant pillow with which to celebrate baby’s | | | | while the latter carries the risk of being toxic |
| birthdays. It is hand painted and is made from either | | | | nature’s gifts like mud and water are free, fun |
| cotton or linen. The bulky elephant with raised trunk | | | | and safe. |