Traditional Irish Baby Gifts
The arrival of a new baby is always a joyous event. If one of your favorite couples is having a baby, and one or both of them are of Irish descent, you may want to honor that heritage. There are several traditional Celtic-themed gifts you can present to the expectant parents.
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Help Choose the Name
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If the new parents are having trouble agreeing on a name, there are baby books that are filled entirely with Celtic names. Make sure to give them a book that features a pronunciation guide. Some of the more traditional names can be a little tricky to translate if the couple doesn't speak fluent Gaelic.
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Claddagh Ring
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One of the most well known symbols in Irish culture is the Claddagh ring. The concepts of friendship, loyalty and love are represented by two hands holding a heart that is adorned with a crown. These rings come in children's sizes and can be kept as a treasured keepsake for several years to come.
Baby's First Toy
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You can choose to have a child's stuffed toy embroidered with any Irish symbol, such as a four-leaf clover and the baby's name. Purchase a teddy bear and take it to a local fabric or craft store that offers embroidery services. Make sure to double-check the spelling.
Christening Gown
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A christening gown is a wonderful gift for the parents if they are followers of the Irish Catholic faith. For a more traditional Celtic appearance, purchase a gown or robe that features the Claddagh symbol, cluney lace (which has an almost crochet-like appearance), a Celtic knot or a shamrock.
Traditional Baby Bottle
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Purchase a clear baby bottle, a small container of green paint and a small paintbrush. Very carefully paint small shamrocks and the baby's name scattered across the entire bottle. It is a good idea to practice on a piece of paper before you attempt to produce the final product.
References
- Photo Credit "Shamrocks" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: jmcarthy99 (Joe McCarthy) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.