Often when kids have initials as their name, we think it’s a combination of their first and middle names, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes it’s because they are a “junior” or a “little,” or it’s actually their first and last initial – think JT for Justin Timberlake. Though they are most commonly childhood nicknames or an easy way to shorten hyphenated names – like JP for John-Paul or MK for Mary-Kate, some kids will be called by their initials their whole lives, and we think that’s A-OK.
Like many of our designs for big brother shirts and big sister shirts, initials work equally well for both boys and girls. (Shown: Patterned Delight Big Brother T shirtand Big Sister Tshirt; Playful Doodles Big Brother T shirt and Big Sister Tshirt)
Some initials sound like actual names, i.e. KC sounding like Casey or KT sounding like Katie, which is really cute. (Shown: Blooms and Stamped Style big sister shirts)
A few other initial names we like are DJ, JD, TJ, MJ, JC, CJ – pretty much anything with a “J” seems to work, right? (Shown: Happy To Be, Play Party Hat, Fun To Be One, and Happy Birthday 1st birthday shirts)
Does your wee one have an initial name? Which of these big brother shirts or big sister shirts would fit their personality best?
Color Trend: Sunset colors
No matter where you live, there’s something incredibly peaceful about a gorgeous sunset. The fluffy clouds in the blue sky reflecting various hues of orange, gold, red, and pink are stunning and instill a sense of quiet happiness, which is a lovely feeling to bring to a nursery as well. Beautiful, yet calming, these sunset colors make a great choice when decorating.
We’ve found some sunset-colored décor items, including personalized growth charts, bedding, lighting, and décor accents to help you pull together your idyllic nursery design.
A personalized growth chart is always an ideal way to infuse a nursery’s color scheme into functional décor. (shown: Color Me and Growing Giraffes personalized growth charts)
All the beautiful colors of a setting sun are brought to life in this handmade baby quilt by Southern Charm Quilts.
On a nursery wall, hanging from the ceiling or draped on a crib, this colorful paper garland from Fabulously Homemade is an easy, versatile way to incorporate color and style.
In LOVE with this unique Cabana Painted Canopy crib from ducduc with customizable panels and canopy we chose in orange and yellow.
Create a whimsical glow with these doggone cute Dachshund lamps from MyPetLamps in six different colors.
You really can’t go wrong with any of these sunset-colored picks, whether for decorating or as unique baby gifts.
Personalized Baby Gifts Theme: Purple
Passionate about purple? You are not alone! From dark to light and every shade in between, the majestic hue is a popular one with parents and kids alike. So if you are buying for wee ones birthdays, baby showers, or baptism gifts, there are some fab purple options for personalized baby gifts, like 1st birthday shirts, onesies, bibs, burp cloths, etc.
Here are some super ideas for purple personalized baby gifts:
1st Birthday shirts and personalized onesies in pretty purple are a great way to celebrate the little one’s big day. (shown: Fun to Be One and Happy Confetti 1st Birthday shirts; Colorful Number and Jungle Giraffe personalized onesies)
Personalized embroidered burp cloths are almost too cute for the job. (Ryan Bird)
Not just functional, this purple personalized bib in a chic chevron pattern is just darling. (Luna and Bean)
The Quilted Delight Alphabet Poster is great way to decorate the nursery while inspiring a future love of learning.
Hope these unique baby gifts in pretty purples inspire some great gift giving!
Naming Trend of the Week: Last Name as First Name
Whether it’s based on a family name or because it just sounds solid, using last names as first names is a very popular choice when picking a moniker. It’s so popular in fact that many names in the top 100 boys – and even girls – names in the US are also common last names.
If you have a kiddo (or two or three) with a last name as first name, we’ve chosen some cool tees, like big brother shirts, onesies, and a few big sister shirts, that would make great gifts.
Presidential names, like Jackson, Carter, Reagan, Kennedy, or Madison, deserve globally conscious tees, for a potential future leader of the free world. (shown: Around the World Big Brother T shirt & Big Sister Tshirt; Future President personalized onesies)
Love the old Hollywood hunks like Rock Hudson, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, and Errol Flynn, but not crazy about their first names? Pay homage to their suave, slightly roguish style by choosing their last names for your little man. (shown: Retro Style Big Brother T shirt, Double Trouble Big Brother T shirt, and Stamped Style Big Brother T shirt)
Did you choose a last name as a first name? What was your inspiration and which of these big sister and big brother shirts, and onesies best fits your choice?
Boys and girls with hip last names as first names deserve big sister and big brother shirts that are equally hip and stylish. (shown: Chic Style Big Brother T shirt; Modern Fun and Rock On big brother shirts; Colorful Big Sister Tshirt)
Baby Shower Theme: Foxes
Whether your last night is Fox, you love woodland creatures in general, or just adore little red foxes; there are many reasons to choose a fox themed baby shower. These creatures are as cute as they are smart and clever.
To inspire you, we found some fantastic fox baby shower décor and unique baby gifts, like personalized onesies, hats, rattles, and loveys.
Shower Décor Ideas:
Food station Kara’s Party Ideas
Cakes by Celebrations Cakes & Catering and Cake Central
Carry the theme through with simple (Shiny Happy Sprinkles)
Fox diaper cake (Disney Baby)
DIY fox cake pops – the tutorial from Katie Buss Bakes.
Personalized Baby Gifts:
Organic cotton knot personalized baby hat (Cotton Cupcake Shoppe)
Personalized handcrafted wooden fox rattle (Manzanita Kids)
Personalized onesies from Petite Lemon
Fox in a Box stuffed lovey with personalized blankey (Rattlecake)
Color Trend: Mint
Right now, we’re really into mint green, which is a calming color that works wonderfully for a gender neutral design, as well as for a girl or a boy. It also looks great when paired with either other pastel colors or with brights, making it a perfect choice for a nursery. We say you pretty much can’t go wrong with this cool color!
We found some absolutely adorable mint colored nursery designs and chose some of our personalized growth charts that we think would nicely complement each.
There’s no real theme, but its simplicity and sweetness is what makes this nursery with lovely mint walls so special, and the equally adorable Animal Crackers personalized growth chart in Soft Blue & Mint would make a nice addition to it. (Image courtesy of Austin City Little)
Mint and pink combine to make a super pretty nursery for a baby girl. We can’t decide between the Picture Me and Butterfly Kisses personalized growth charts, both would look perfect in this space, don’t you think? (Image courtesy of Centsational Girl)
Modern, yet whimsical, this nursery with soothing mint walls and colorful accents would look even sweeter with the We All Scream personalized growth chart in Soft Pink. (Image courtesy of Design Lines)
Which room and personalized growth chart combo do you think shows off mint’s beauty best?
Décor Trend: Duckies
Baby animals are always an ideal choice when choosing a theme for a nursery, and right now we especially love little duckies. They’re downright delightful with their soft fuzzy feathers and uplifting yellow hue that brings a smile to our face. We just know they’ll add a cheery feel to any nursery.
Here’s a round-up of personalized growth charts, bedding, lighting, and décor that feature the most darling ducks.
We’re quacking up over this oversized organic cotton floor pillow from Amenity Home.
A personalized growth chart with cute ducks and other animals works well with if you love ducks but don’t want a yellow rubber ducky theme. (shown: Zoo Friends and Animal Crackers personalized growth charts)
Outfit the crib with this cute Quack Quack Duck Baby Crib Set from Wayfair.
This duck LED night light from Baby Night Lights is crazy cute!
This Lucky Duck Bath Rug from Kohl’s instantly brightens our day.
Do you have a duck themed nursery? How did you incorporate the theme, with a personalized growth chart, bedding, lighting, etc?
Cool Name of the Week: Lily
Though it didn’t break into the top 100 girl names until 2002, Lily has been in the top 20 names for the last four years. Of Greek origin, it’s derived from the delicate, beautiful flower and is our Cool Name of the Week!
Here are some big sister tees any Lily would love.
For your little Lily flower, some perfect big sister shirts are Sunny Flower Big Sister Tshirt, Flower Power Big Sister Tshirt, and Blooms Big Sister Tshirt designs.
The Looks Like Me Princess and Rock On! big bister shirts bring to mind actress Lily Collins (lovely as Snow White) and singer Lily Allen, two of our favorite entertainers with this cool name that have beautiful lily-white skin and dark hair.
If the funny and lovable Lily from Modern Family becomes a big sister this season, the Modern Fun Big Sister Tshirt would be a perfect way to announce it.
If you have a Lily, which of these big sister shirts would you choose for her?
Baby Shower theme: Elephants
Not only are elephants a majestic animal, they also symbolize good luck and wisdom. And baby elephants are just the cutest ever, right?! So with all of that positive energy and meaning, we think elephants make a really wonderful theme for a shower to welcome baby into the world.
If you’re considering elephants as a theme, here is some inspiration for décor, favors, and personalized baby gifts that feature these super cute pachyderms.
Party Décor & Elements
Invitations featuring elephants, like these Elefun baby shower invitations from Shutterfly for boys or girls, start the shower theme off right.
We love this canopied dessert bar incorporating elephants into a pink Under the Big Top theme. (Image courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess)
Little details in teal, white, and gray pull this elephant themed shower together sweetly. (Image courtesy of The Cake Blog)
Plantable favors aren’t just eco-friendly, they’re unbelievably adorable too. (Image courtesy of Recycled Ideas)
Personalized Baby Gifts
A set of personalized onesies make special and unique baby gifts. (Shown: Animal Pile, and a sneak peek of elephant themed personalized onesies that arrive next week!)
A sweet, customized lovey like this one from World Class Embroidery is perfect to cuddle with for years.
Babies will sleep soundly snuggled up with a soft blankie like these personalized elephant ones from BabyBlankets.com.
What do you think of an elephant themed shower?
Personalized Baby Gifts Theme: Photo Gifts
For baby shower, birthday, and baptism gifts, we’re big fans of choosing really unique baby gifts that incorporate photos. They’re so personal and thoughtful, which are the kinds of presents that will be cherished for years and years. And when you’re spending time and money on a present, you really want it to have that kind of impact, right?
We love all of these personalized baby gifts that put baby’s beautiful face in the spotlight.
A photo poster, like the Dotted Delight Photo Poster in blue or pink, turns baby’s picture into personal art.
Little ones will definitely feel like the center of attention on their big day when they wear photo tees like the Playful Party Hats 1st birthday shirts for boys and girls.
These plates from Shutterfly that feaure baby’s face alongside their favorite character will inspire lots of happy meals.
We’d take this rustic looking photo quilt from Blackberry Thyme on ArtFire and use photos of baby, as well as photos from different generations of their family, to make a true heirloom.
What is your favorite way to incorporate photos into gifts?
