Things we love: second-born baby gifts

The first-born child gets all the glory. A big pre-arrival bash, lavish gifts, and meticulously-labeled photo albums. If he’s lucky, the second-born child might get a picture or two in the digital camera (which hopefully will be downloaded by his first birthday).

Tradition long ago put the kibosh on consecutive sibling baby showers and gifts. This is one rule I love to break.

Give a gift unique to the parents, but also one that the baby can enjoy. Not bottles, burp cloths, or bathtubs. Think concert tickets, classic books, or dinner for two at the hip new place in town.

For the Music Lovers

• Grab tickets to a coveted show for a last hurrah before the baby is born. Wrap the tickets in a onesie adorned with their favorite band’s logo. www.band-tees.com
• Make a copy of your favorite Coldplay, Bob Marley, or Beatles tunes and pair it with a lullaby version of the album to help them really rock the cradle. www.rockabyebabymusic.com

For the Bookworms

• Contribute to the family library with your top-rated adult book of the year (non-parenting subject matter, please) and a classic tale that was meaningful to your own childhood. www.amazon.com


• Sign them up for a subscription to Newsweek and throw in a Baby Einstein toy to occupy baby with brain-building fun while Mom and Dad catch up with the rest the world, one week at a time. www.babyeinstein.com

For the Foodies

• Reserve a table for two at a trendy restaurant and offer your babysitting services for the night. Treat the sprout to a gourmet feast of handmade pretend food. www.twobluepeas.com


• Stock the freezer with individual servings of your prized recipes. Inspire the same homemade goodness for their little one with a baby food processor. www.babyage.com

For the World Travelers

• A well-traveled family must be a well-organized family. Arm the globetrotters with monogrammed his, hers, and baby’s toiletry bags. www.llbean.com


• Ease the sting of airfare expenses with vouchers from their most-traveled airline. Ease Mama’s back pain and baby’s airport anxiety with a stylish hands-free carrier. www.metromama.com

For the Art Buffs

• Give them passes and an excuse to get out and converse with other adults at a local museum or art exhibit. Inspire their little artiste with hip wall graphics for the nursery. www.weegallery.com


• Grace the coffee table with a gorgeous compilation book of their favorite artist’s work. Encourage creative documentation of milestones with a custom baby memory book. www.aimeej.com