Baby Gifts |
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| The History of Baby Gifts dates back to the Egyptians and Romans who bestowed small gifts upon newborn children and presented parents with a hand made gift after the child was born. Modern baby gift giving came into its own after World War II with the advent of the modern baby shower; a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate the gift of a new life; we did not always bring baby bottles and diapers to the parents-to-be. (continue reading) | |
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| Baby Gift Clouds in Easton, Pennsylvania | |
| Years ago it was popular to give the parents gifts that they would need to help care for the new baby. Typically family and friends waited until the baby was born, sometimes quite a while after the baby was born before sending over gifts and other items to help out, because infant mortality rates was very high and family and friends just did not give gifts to expectant parents. Modern baby gift giving came into its own after World War II with the advent of the modern baby shower; a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate the gift of a new life. Grandparents have always had a unique place in the practice of giving gifts at the baby shower. In some places it was and still is traditional for the grandmother to make a blanket or small quilt for the baby. It was also the practice for the grandmother to give a gift of silver to the baby and thereby provide a small amount of inheritance for the child. The tradition has grown and today grandparents and family members often establish savings accounts or provide funds for future college expenses. With the dramatic improvement in pre-natal care since World War II, the baby shower is traditionally held several weeks before the baby's due date. Today the old tradition of a baby shower for "women only" has given way to inviting "couples" and men are now invited to the shower. Many expectant mothers now receive multiple showers with celebrations in the workplace quite common. It is no longer necessary to wait until the baby is born, unless the mother-to-be prefers to wait until after she has given birth before receiving baby gifts. |  Hooded Towel & Duck Set Baby Shower Gifts  Bearing-A-Baby Baby Shower Gifts |
| The History of Baptism Gifts began as small items of monetary or material value that could be kept as an initial investment for the child's future. The silver sixpence or the lucky sovereign could be the start of a nest-egg to help the child gain independence in later life. The Victorian's influence changed the emphasis of the baptism gift from one of a purely financial nature to objects of intrinsic value, which originally were made of sterling silver. Today's baptism gift varies across a wide range from the traditional to the non-traditional, yet still symbolizes the meaning of the baptism ceremony. |  Mother & Child Baptism Gifts |
| Christening Gowns and Their Fashion Background Until the 17th century young babies were wrapped in tight swaddling clothes and carried in a large square of lavishly trimmed silk, known as a bearing cloth to the font for the ceremony. By the mid 18th century the garment evolved to a front opening robe, fastened with ribbon ties, and showing a petticoat beneath. These robes were worn by both boys and girls and featured a slip dress, with a long flowing skirt, which fell gently from a short tucked bodice, and included a low neck and short sleeves. This christening fashion remains popular today. By the mid 19th century baptism gowns were decorated with fine white embroidery known as Ayrshire, which consists of embroidery worked with extra needlework fillings and cutwork. Originating in the Scottish lowlands this white on white embroidery is often so minute one can hardly see some of the stitches. The point on the bodice has a hole behind it, so if a baby boy wears the gown, the point is left out and if a baby girl wears the gown the point is tucked in. Large families were popular in the Victorian era and a mother, while waiting for the arrival of her first born, often made a beautiful gown for the baptism. Although the sewing machine was available in mid Victorian England, the gowns were often handmade, because they were small, compact and could be easily moved from room to room in the young mother's needlework bag. After the gown was worn it was easily packed away to await the arrival of the next child, thus began the christening gown heirloom tradition. By the end of the Victorian era the gown skirts were lavishly ornamented with pin tucking, embroidered bodices and lace insertions, and the baby always wore a bonnet. The advent of beautiful ceremonial attire ensured the baby looked "picture perfect"; bringing about the family photograph to record the event. We are particularly proud of our collection of silk and European ceremonial gowns and outfits, gifts and accessories, which is one of the largest on the internet and is the largest in the Lehigh Valley, PA which includes Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and parts of Western NJ Enjoy your visit! Jeanette Jean |  30" Cotton Batiste Christening Gowns  Embroidered Cotton Tucked Christening Gowns |
 Traditional Silk Dupioni Christening Gowns |
 Organza Over Taffeta Christening Gowns |
 Embroidered Floral Shamrock Christening Gowns |
