To kick things off I must say that from personal experience it is always a good idea to first rummage through the said friends registry! When I was a new mommy I was in need of the necessities, and that's all I wanted. Everyone is different, but it was so nice to have those things buttoned up so I could relax and move on to the fun stuff. Unless the mother to be is Bill Gates' wife or has been saving for their new baby for a very long time, the financial strain on a family from a new baby is sometimes felt by most new families. To me it seems like a far better idea to help the family out with what they need first, before what I want to give ;).....This is a super important thing that people rarely do anymore. The stuff they need is in the registry, and unless they have commissioned your craftiness or decorative eye it is so much more respectful to stick with the registry.
If your friend is a new mommy that has asked your expert earthy opinion these are some really great sites to register!!!! Another thing to mention is that buying less is way more, in the crazy swing, bouncer, exsersaucer, jumper, walker, department. Telling friends to hold back on buying these items is a great money saving suggestion.... I have a separate post all about pulling back on the new baby buying reins. My two daughters could not be anymore different, and all those things I bought were a waste of my money and the Earth's resources. It is best to wait until the baby comes for those things to see what kind of little creature you are working with..... For example one daughter loved the swing but one didn't, neither liked bouncer or exersaucer or anything else to be honest....
Green Registering!!!!
*The great thing about Amazon is that you can get pretty much everything now a days.... But there is the tricky shipping situation. All items charge shipping so if you are getting a few things it can create a problem. But for the bigger items it is still a great source
http://www.amazon.com/
The ultimate green store has everything a new mom needs and you can be sure that the items are Earth friendly, can't go wrong. And shipping is a little more bearable since you can mix match and still get one shipping fee!!!!
http://www.theultimategreenstore.com/s-214-baby-shower-gifts.aspx
For cloth diapering mommies you can't beat the price here!!!
http://www.diapersetc.com/
Now to the fun stuff a few websites for the craft gift ideas!!!!
DIY:
http://www.parenting.com/gallery/handmade-baby-shower-gifts
I have got several ideas from this site....
http://www.lilsugar.com/DIY-Baby-Shower-Gifts-20248135
Cute growth chart
http://whipperberry.com/2011/08/diy-baby-gift-portable-growth-chart-kit.html
From clothes to bedding this site it great!
http://www.make-your-own-baby-stuff.com/
Etsy!!! This is where to go for the sweet little mementos for the non crafty gals!!!!
www.etsy.com
Packaging...... Re used gift bags, stamped paper bags, thrift store scarves, see my post about earthy wrapping for more ideas!!!! Just to make sure the gift is earthy from head to toe!!! ;)
Top 20 gifts I like to give, if I am not making it of course. I usually like to make one little thing and pair it with something from the new mother's registry!!! ;)
Swaddles:
1) 
http://www.adenandanais.com/
These are great because they are huge.... My first daughter was a swaddle baby and these are amazing because the baby can be swaddled until 2 in these bad boys!!! For my first daughter I had to make XL swaddles and for my second I stumbled upon these... Can't go wrong with these amazing blankets!!!
Carriers:
Having a wrap and a sturdy carrier will have you covered.... These are my favorite brands, the companies are green and offer great customer service!
2)
The Ktan is a breeze, much easier to use then the moby in my opinion.
http://www.babyktan.com/
3)
And the Ergo offers a much more comfortable back strap.... I had 6 carriers at one point figuring out my fave and these are the most comfy by far!!!!
http://store.ergobaby.com/Content/ShopProducts
Baby toiletries:
4)
http://www.b-organic.co.uk/products/Organic-Vegan-Baby-Top-to-Toe-Wash-with-Lavender%2C-suitable-for-sensitive-skin-and-eczema.html
This is amazing stuff that has a whole line of goodies, super great stuff for making a little bath basket!!!
5)
http://veganbaby.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=110&category_id=8&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
These are cutie wash cloths for the bath basket
6)
http://www.amazon.com/BabyKicks-Natural-Organic-Wipes-Assortment/dp/B0032AMM9M/ref=sr_1_5?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1344373960&sr=1-5&keywords=organic+baby+wash+clothes
Nursing needs:
I actually make these for everyone, but these are the cuties I found
that are organic and reasonably priced... What is also special about
these is that they cover everything, and that is magical!!!
7)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/105462604/organic-cotton-stash-go-full-coverage?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_query=organic+nursing+covers&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all
Nursing pads, to keep buying the disposable ones is a pricey ordeal and for mommies that are going to be nursing these are a great gift!
8)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71187767/all-natural-reusable-nursing-pad-gift?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=nursing+pads&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_spelling_corrected=nusring+pads&ga_search_type=all
Cloth Diapering:
Wet bags: A must and mothers often forget to register for it...
These are great for non cloth diapering mothers as well. They can be used
for soiled clothing, swimsuits and anything wet and sticky!!! ;)
9)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62315449/wet-bag-with-waterproof-lining-and?ref=sr_gallery_38&ga_search_query=wet+bags&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all
For washing the stinky nappies, here is some great stuff to put in a cloth diapering basket
10)
http://www.amazon.com/Bac-Out-Stain-Odor-Eliminator-Ounces/dp/B000IAEVXE/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1344374969&sr=8-9&keywords=cloth+diapering
I have been cloth diapering for 4 years and have to say that this by far is my favorite diaper cover!!!
11)
http://www.amazon.com/Bummis-Super-Diaper-Yellow-Pounds/dp/B001CAQYTI/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1344375092&sr=8-19&keywords= cloth+diapering
High chairs:
Now these are personal I do understand, but most the time families forget to register for these and they are an amazing thing to have for camping and traveling families... Your friends will really appreciate these!!!
12) Camping & Hiking families!
http://www.amazon.com/Ciao-Portable-Travel-Chair-Black/dp/B0072IINY8/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344377370&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=camping+high+chais
For the travelers, or not... I used this for my daughter Daphne from 4 months until now and she is almost 2!! We have it hooked on the table and she is in business... We can take it everywhere as well!!!!!
13)
http://www.amazon.com/Inglesina-2012-Table-Chair-Ibisco/dp/B006JV4HFS/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1344377394&sr=1-2&keywords=hook+on+high+chairs
Books and Music:
14)http://www.amazon.com/Click-Clack-Moo-Cows-That/dp/0689832133/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344377543&sr=1-1&keywords=clicl+clack+moo
15)
I love to be the one that gives children their first copy of this amazing book!
http://www.amazon.com/Special-Edition-Grow-A-Tree-Gift-Basket/dp/B001P8TMN2/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1344377430&sr=1-1&keywords=giving+tree
16)
My daughters both love napping and going ni- ni to this!!! Truly sweet lullabies!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000J6Z1/ref=s9_simh_bw_p15_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=16NS88STC21566K7RPV5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1365298642&pf_rd_i=5174
This is a great book for first time moms
17)
http://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Baby-Block-Harvey-Karp/dp/0553381466/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345005986&sr=8-1&keywords=happiest+baby+on+the+block
For homemade baby food ideas for first time moms this is an amazing book as well.
18)
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Baby-Toddler-Cookbook-Lizzie/dp/0789471906/ref=sr_1_26?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345006092&sr=1-26&keywords=homemade+baby+food
Toys:
These are super sweet little plushies that babies love to slobber on!
19)
http://www.amazon.com/Under-The-Nile-Green-Bean/dp/B000G1BUE8/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1345006212&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=eco+baby+toys
20)
http://www.hazelnutkids.com/cgi-bin/item/HA3769/newborn_toys/Haba-Pixie%27s-World-Pram-Decoration
If it is a basket, clothing, whatever the case mothers are just happy to be opening something that is for their new bundles.... The one way to know you are getting the right gift is by sticking to registries, and finding an earthy option for what they want.... This will be an updated post, please comment and if you have any questions message me at earthyconsumer@yahoo.com... Have fun spoiling the sweet peas, I know I will ;) Tread Lightly!!!
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