- The baby's first year brings many "firsts" to commemorate. Start with the birth and add things from the hospital, such as a silk or dried flower from a congratulatory bouquet, newborn diaper, hat or T-shirt from the hospital package. Include the hospital bracelets from baby and Mom. You can easily make a bracelet with the baby's name using letter beads. Make a miniature birth certificate with the name, date, birth weight and length on it. Choose a photo from each "first" in the baby's life. You can also place clothes, shoes or a curl from the first haircut inside the shadow box.
- Drape the baby's christening or dedication gown and lightly stitch it to the background cloth with white embroidery floss or quilting thread. Add the invitation, service program, a tiny silk or satin rose and photos from the religious ceremony and party. You can place the christening photo in a tiny, ornate gold or silver frame and set it up within the shadow box.
- Select articles that symbolize each month of the baby's first year. Start with the birth and finish with the first birthday celebration. Display a rattle, fingerprints, footprint, photo of a favorite toy or a pair of booties. Consider making a border in one section of the box using cut or hand-punched one-inch squares of gift paper from the baby shower, holiday gifts and first birthday party.
- A shadow box also makes a lovely memorial for a precious little one that has been lost. It's important to be able to acknowledge that this child was and still is part of the heart of your family. Place any of the treasured items from the baby's short life in the box to make a keepsake display. A small ceramic angel can stand as a guardian in an area of the box. Add the birth certificate, an outfit the baby wore and special photos. The display will be a soothing memorial for as long as the family needs to have it close by. You can line the box with a small quilt made from the baby's tiny garments.
