Why the First Things We Give a Baby Say More Than We Realise

There's a particular kind of shopping that happens in the weeks before a baby arrives. Some of it is entirely practical — nappies, a pram, somewhere for them to sleep. But tucked in among all of that is something else: the things we choose not because they're necessary, but because we want to celebrate the occasion. To acknowledge that this particular person is arriving in the world and that their arrival matters.

A baby name cushion is a good example of this. It's not a practical gift, and nobody is pretending otherwise. But practical gifts get used up, outgrown, washed to oblivion, and passed along to the next baby. A well-made personalised cushion tends to stay. It starts in the nursery, moves to the bedroom, and somehow never quite gets thrown out. Parents hold onto these things for years, sometimes long after the child themselves has lost interest.

There's also something in the making of it. A cushion that's been thoughtfully made with a name feels considered in a way that next-day delivery gifts rarely do. That's actually quite a nice thing to give someone. If you're stuck on what to get for a new arrival and want something a bit more memorable than another set of muslins, mats, or hampers, it's worth a look.

Browse personalised baby name cushions at cushions.org.uk