Blankets for babies can serve other purposes as well. They can be used during nursing, burping or swaddling, there are special delivery blankets, blankets for strollers, crib use, or floor use, and some are intended to be more ornamental. These ornamental blankets are also keepsakes, intended to commemorate the new arrival into the family, and often used as decorative elements in the nursery or sleep areas.

Because of the wide variety and multiple uses for baby blankets, a family can never have too many of them, and therefore, a baby blanket gift is always a safe and useful idea for baby showers and other events. Considerations to keep in mind when searching for the right baby blanket include the following: Its intended purpose, its style and practicality, the fabric from which it is made, and its color and the dyes used in the dying process, to name just a few.

Some personalized baby blankets.

The purpose of a baby blanket is an important consideration for a variety of reasons. If the blanket is to be functional, and be with the baby most of the time, it should be made of a cozy, soft material that can stand up to wear and tear, as well as multiple washings. If it is going frequently be in contact with the floor, it should be durable, and made of a material that will not fray or shed. This consideration will limit the need to clean up stray blanket strings or fluff after every use, and it will protect your baby from being tangled in, or tripping on trailing pieces of blanket. Functional blankets that will frequently be close to the baby should also be made a material that will be gentle on its skin, and that does not contain potentially irritating dyes or additives. For the healthiest choice, consider an organic baby blanket.

Organics are becoming more and more popular, in food, but in fabrics. Essentially the label of organic provides an assurance that no chemicals were used in the production of the item. In the production of textiles such as clothes or, in this case, baby blankets, it implies that the material from which they have been constructed was not chemically treated, and has been dyed and processed using natural dying and processing agents. An organic baby blanket ensures that your baby, or the baby to whom you are presenting a gift, can keep it close to their skin, and even use it to teethe, without being exposed to harmful chemical or dye residues.

An embroidered baby blanket.

Another popular type of baby blanket that is frequently used in sleep situations is a crochet or knit baby blanket. These are popular constructions because they can be homemade especially for the individual. A crochet baby blanket is relatively simple to make (easier than sweaters or socks) and are always appreciated as heartfelt and sincere tokens of love. Again, ensure that the materials that you use in the construction of this type of blanket are safe, chemical free, and hypoallergenic.

Knit or crochet baby blankets are one form of personalizing a gift. Other personalized baby blankets could contain the baby’s name or initials, have special pattern or graphic panels, or even have their details embroidered directly onto the blanket. Details to include on a personalized or embroidered baby blanket could include their full name, date, and place of birth, and family members present. This type of blanket could also be turned into a decorative heirloom, and have new family members’ names added to the embroidery as they arrive into the world. To preserve this type of blanket, they are best used as decoration, such as wall hangings, or draped on furniture, as opposed to practical applications, which would involve regular cleaning, and the wear and tear of regular use.

Some teddy bear baby security blankets.

With the many baby stores that specialize in designer and personal items, there is no limit to the style, design, and materials that can be used for baby blankets, and the ways of creating a personalized baby blanket are virtually limitless. Give your child the gift of a blanket that tells a story about their childhood, by displaying graphics of their favorite activities and depicting special moments, in colors that reflect their personalities, while matching their nursery or bedroom.