Think Green. Come see what I mean!
How many of us have been to weddings and baby showers or even birthdays and gone out to buy a card to go with our gifts?
Um, I would say I think everyone has at some point or another.
My sister in law (my brothers wife) is pregnant with her second child (my first niece, YAY)
I recently received an invitation in the mail to attend the baby shower. Included was a poem. I want to share it with you,
Although cards are nice with their sentiment and prayer,
They’re read once or twice then tucked away with care.
A book is a treasure words and pictures unite,
Read over and over to teach and delight.
So instead of a card for Babies and Mother,
Please give a child’s book with your thoughts in the cover
Your book will be cherished; God will watch from above,
When it’s read they will remember your kindness and love.
I don’t know whom the author is it didn’t say!
What a nice sentiment.
While I have dedicated many a book (written in the front cover my thoughts and messages) to my children and others this is the first time I have received it in an invitation. This is such a fantastic idea.
Some of the favorites from our household Collage props: Meg Fish
My other sister in law (husbands sister) gave my son Noah a book, that contained a few stories, and she included a recording of her reading each of the books on a CD.
How thoughtful is that!?
Cheers to my awesome sisters in law!
Another great idea is to print a photograph with warm wishes written on the back in place of a card.
My favorite idea of all, last year for our anniversary Alex created a book on the story of how we met. It’s filled with photos and art along with the story. It’s fantastic. I may share it with you one day.
So next time you are preparing a gift, or planning a shower or a party take a moment to think about how you can make it special, unique and green. Now you know what I mean.
For more great tips check out my new Mommy blog Writings of a Mrs Mommy
Writings of a Mrs 
Are You My Mother…classic. This is a good idea. It even trumps my usual distaste for people telling me what to do! Lol.
Thank ya! 😉
That is so weird – i was just invited to a baby shower the other day and received the same poem… it was such a beautiful idea!!!
Do you know my sister in law? 😉
I love “Are You My Mother!” As a gag gift, my mom gave me a copy of it on my 21st birthday… I kept it and read it to my 2 children. They in turn read it to me, just like I read it to my Mother so many many years ago. A classic.
Yes I love making the funny voice of the baby bird!
I love Goodnight Moon too.
My copy has baby bite marks on it from the kids when they were little. I love it!
Oh! And “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?” I used to do a different voice for all the different animals. I miss having BABIES… mine are 13 and 11 now. All good ages, but when they were little, it was so precious.
Me too *sniff*
We kept alot of the “1st” books like that… I will read them to my grand-kids one day.
Wow. Great idea. Thank you for such a timely post. I do wonder what to give to my niece on her tomorrow’s birthday. Now, I know. A book is a great idea 🙂
Happy to be of service! Have fun at the birthday party.
Thank you, Jennifer 😀
Excellent! I have a wedding shower and a baby shower coming up! Thanks for the great idea! I love books and I tend to think that everyone else should too. What a great way to encourage others to enjoy them as much as I do. I’ve always thought cards were a waste and I often tear the backs off and reuse the front by writing a little note on the back of it or using it as a gift tag.
Yes I do that too! Another great tip. Thank you for bringing it up!
Have a wonderful time at the parties this weekend.
I love this! These are fantastic ideas 🙂 As a child, my favorite gifts were always books, and I’ve always tried to encourage reading with my own children. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post!
Thank you for reading it!
Reading is so important. I have friends that used to get frustrated that I let me toddlers ‘have at it’ with books from a young age. But they are meant to be enjoyed, even if they get ripped up a bit and chewed on! 😀
I agree completely! A lifelong love of books and reading begins at an early age 😉
That is a wonderful idea! I already have a habit of buy books for my friends’ baby showers, but next time I will forgo the card and just write on the inside of the book! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure. Thank you for reading.
Jennifer
wonderful idea! I love it. I hate cards AND flowers for just this reason, seems such a waste of money and natural resources. 😉
Indeed Carrie. I completely agree. ( but I do enjoying clipping some flowers from my garden on occasion )
Hi Jennifer,
I Think Green as well, less (salt)is better when it comes to protecting our environment.
Marc
Low Salt Diet for the Environment
Excellent idea. I always re-use last year’s Christmas cards as tags for presents the following year. I’ve even made my own birthday cards at times too, but I must admit to buying them now and I always think what a waste it is when they just get recycled. Will bear yours and your sister’s in law’s ideas in mind. (Not sure if that sentence was grammatically correct! Lol)
It was to me!
Cheers.
I love this idea! This should be part of any gift-giving celebration.
actually, I hosted a baby shower for my sister-in-law a year ago now… and I did a fairy tale baby shower and while I modified the poem (see rewrote it to fit better) I had that as part of it.
Yes it’s a lovely idea. I didn’t think it was unique just the first time I’ve received one in an invitation and I thought I should share it!
Good on your to think to include it in the party you planned.
Cheers,
Jennifer
This is a really cool idea! I am going to pass this idea along to future mama’s! I especially love the idea of making a story of how you met, SO COOL. What a great piece of family history!
I’m glad you like it. I really thought it was great too. And the story of us is such a great idea for any meaningful relationship.
Thanks for commenting,
Jennifer
As a librarian and writer, love this idea!!
Thank you Chrityna!
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Jennifer
Great ideas! I especially love the photograph and writing a heartfelt message on the back. I am throwing my sisters bridal shower soon and I may request this to the guests! Thanks so much!
Glad to help you out and thank you for taking the time to comment.
It’s so fun to throw parties, good luck with it.
Jennifer
The book idea is one to appreciate. The cute clothes get the oohs and aahs but when the book gets gets pulled out it’s, “What a good idea!” I try to keep books on hand for such occasions. Books are great gifts for anytime
Great ideas…especially with Mother’s Day coming up 🙂
I recently attended a baby shower where the mom-to-be had asked that books be given instead of cards. I thought it was a great idea, not just because it’s fun to give books, but also to know that the parents were planning to start reading to the baby right away 🙂
This brings back so many memories! Children’s books are some of the greatest works of literature anyone can be given. “Blueberries for Sal” was always a favorite, as were basically all the others here displayed.
Glad to remind you of those days! Nostalgia is a beautiful thing.
Jennifer
Awesome idea! As a preschool teacher, I am quite familiar with the ones you have highlighted. 🙂
Another great one….”Love You Forever”, by Robert Munsch
Preschool teacher! That must require a lot of patience but must be oh so rewarding!
Yes that one is my favorite! It chokes me up every time I read it!
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Jennifer
Clifford! I used to love Clifford! This is a really great idea 🙂
Hi Jennifer! I have been following your blog for a while and wanted to nominate you for the Liebster Award. Please accept this award for knowing people like myself enjoy the topics you blog about! =)
If you don’t accept it, that’s okay because I’ll still be reading your work!
Thanks!!
Please check out the following link when you get a chance for information on this award:
http://jramirezauthor.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/awards/
I cannot wait to use these brilliant ideas! Always give books to my pregnant friends and family members but never thought to record myself reading them. Thank you for the like.
your collage brought tears to my eyes…:( I have read all those books…. and loved them thank you for this post. 🙂
Reblogged this on Writings of a Mrs Mommy and commented:
More types of posts that I will posting here vs. my previous blog that will be aimed more at poetry and writing etc.