I come across a lot of different birth announcements while writing for the blog. I have to admit that after a while, they all start to look the same, so much so that I dread looking at them at times. So, when I see something that looks fresh and fun, I am always quite pleased. Such is the case with these sweet announcements from Kite Notes. There are many to choose from, and they have a unique aesthetic. You provide the photos and birth information, pick the style, and Kite Notes does the rest. This Star Tree design retails for $2.85 each and can be ordered in increments of 25, with a minimum order of 50. While I’ve never needed quite so many announcements, many people do. You can shop the entire collection at kitenotes.com.

As the mother of three children, I’m no stranger to hand and footprint kits, but until now I had never encountered anything like this product from Little Reminders. While most kits come with a big bag of powdered plaster which you must mix and shape, Little Reminders modeling compound arrives ready for use. All you have to do is roll it out a tiny bit. My oldest daughter, who just turned 10, enjoyed taking responsibility for this aspect of the project, while my three year old continues to enjoy playing with the little wooden rolling pin that came with the kit. All I had to do was press our little one’s foot into the compound.  Since it isn’t wet, there is no mess to clean up afterwards.

After making a print, you simply package the print according to directions, select frame and matting colors, provide your child’s name and age or other personalization, and ship everything back to the company.  They create a 3-D ceramic keepsake that is beautifully-framed. We chose a dark wood frame and pink matting, and the finished product looks stunning in our daughter’s nursery.

This product may cost more than others on the market, but the end result is a world apart. I would highly recommend it based both on its ease of use and its high-quality look. You can purchase a single print kit for $59, or add additional hand or footprints for a slightly higher price. You can see all of the options and purchase a kit at baby-handprints.com. This would also make a wonderful gift for grandparents.

I always take a lot of photos at Christmas time, but I never seem to do anything creative (or even sensible) with them.  This Once Upon a Family Christmas Day Book Photo Album offers an attractive way to keep your family photos organized from year to year.  This silk album features an ornate cover and 25 fold out pages.  You can either fill it with a year’s photos, or gradually add to your collection over time.  Either way, you will be preserving your family memories in an easy to share format.

You can purchase one of these books for $32 at OnceUponaFamily.com.  A Hanukkah version is also available.

I think this would be a perfect baby shower gift because of its pure soft look. Take along a Polaroid Instant Camera (they’re still around) and add photos from the baby shower to include in this Nature’s Purest Hug Me My First Book. Another idea would be to include a gift certificate for developing digital photos at the Mother-to-be’s local photo store or for ordering online. With its soft, natural cotton cover, this photo book holds twenty-four 4″ x 6″ photos on 12 PVC-free pages.

You can view this product at ToysRUs.com where it has a listed price of $19.99.

Little Experience offers this Baby’s First Canvas Set to help you capture lasting memories of your new baby.  Whether you capture handprints or footprints, you will be creating a great keepsake that you will treasure forever.  The set includes 2 brushes, 2 canvases, a flat paint palette, blue and pink organic paint tablets, and a plastic sheet.  These canvases make great grandparent gifts, too, so you may want to order an extra set.  The set would also make a great shower gift for expectant parents.

You can purchase the set for $39 at The Land of Nod.  While you could possibly save money by buying these pieces yourself, what I love about this kit is that everything is in one place, so you will actually follow through.  As much as I love the idea, I know myself well enough to know that I will not be running to the art supply store to pick up paints and canvases with a newborn in tow.

This Baby’s First Year Deluxe Scrapbooking Kit would make a great baby shower gift.  Everyone wishes that they had started scrapbooking earlier than they did, and now you can give the new mom a head start.

Offer to take pictures of the baby shower to include in her scrapbooking project. There are many scrapbooking how-to’s and suggestions on the Internet to help the new mom if she’s never done scrapbooking before. This could be a gift that keeps giving because you can include seasonal and special occasion scrapbooking accessories with gifts throughout the year: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, Baby’s First Birthday. It’s a fun way to keep in touch and up-to-date with baby’s first year.

The scrapbook comes in Pink, Baby Blue, Ecru, and Kiwi for $120 at  UltimateBabyBoutique.com.

I wish I could say that I have meticulously documented all of the big moments in my children’s lives.  Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.  I always have the best intentions, but it is just so hard to find the time to write about your kids when you are so wrapped up in caring for them.

Clearly, the people at Tiny Tales know this feeling.  They have put together sets that any busy mom can appreciate.  This great Infant Memory Kit includes two 4×6 notepads that help you quickly document all the important firsts in your baby’s life, a cute little storage box, and four themed dividers to keep it all organized.

The set retails for $30, and you can purchase extra cards at any time.  This is something that even I could keep up with, and it looks a lot better than my usual chicken scratch on the calendar method.  You can pick one up at TinyTales.com.  Sets for toddlers and expectant moms are also available.

Although I’m not too excited that my baby will be born in the year of the rat, I am pretty excited about these great little keepsakes boxes based on the Chinese zodiac.  The Birth Year Box by Tree by Kerri Lee certainly beats the Kiehl’s box in which I’ve been storing all of my two year old’s baby mementos.

The lid of the box features a colorful illustration, along with the year, the words “Year of the Rat (or Rabbit, etc),” and the words “Welcome Baby.”  Each side of the lid is imprinted with the personality traits associated with the animal.

These fun little boxes are available in pink, turquoise, or mint and for the years 2004-2008.  You can purchase one for $38 at Tree By Kerri Lee.  This would also make a unique baby shower gift.

Here’s a unique way to celebrate the special child in your life. Laser engrave your baby’s name, birthdate, intial, and even photo on a maple block to create your own treasured heirloom. Order a Baby Block by Star Laser Custom Engraving for each of your children and display them in a glass showcase or put together a special shadowbox for each child that includes other treasured items.

Of course, this would make a special gift for a new baby and could be presented in an acrylic display box for safe keeping. You might also want to include the engraved block with a set of play blocks for baby to use when she is older.

The blocks measure: 2″ ($16); 3″ ($26); 4″ ($34). If you add a photo to the third block side, add $10. Order this special keepsake at StarLaserEngraving.com.