Unique Keepsakes For Pregnancy & Newborns

If belly casts and scrapbooking aren't your cup of tea, there are plenty of creative and unique means to commemorate your pregnancy and baby's arrival.

Shadow Boxes

Shadow boxes are a great way to not only save a handful of mementos, but to decorate your child's room with an individual touch. Use Scrabble tiles to spell out baby's name and arrange items you want to save, such as hospital bracelets and crib cards, a favorite outfit, ultrasound photo, or even a (unused!) newborn diaper so you can remember just how tiny your child once was! 

Ornaments

Plenty of stores and website make it possible to find sweet, personalized ornaments for a variety of occasions. For a DIY version, pick a clear ornament and put treasured items inside, such as the hat and bracelets from the hospital.

Stuffies Made From An Outfit or Blanket

Over the years I've seen photographs of quilts made from old t-shirts and thought they were such a neat way to save those memories. The same can be done with infant sleepers and baby blankets, or if you can narrow it down to a favorite piece, you might consider crafting a memory bear. Many families are sent home from the hospital with "the blanket" (you really aren't supposed to take them home, but plenty of folks do) and have chosen to create a special lovey once baby is done using it.

Artwork

I dear friend of mine is creative soul with artistic talent I can only wish for. The first year of life with her daughter was rocky and breastfeeding in particular did not go as she expected, leading her to pump for several months. While she was happy to eventually "hang up the horns," she felt the pull to memorialize the pump pieces she had grown to both love and loathe. Painting pump kit pieces, nipple shields, and breast shells, she created a beautiful 3-dimensional nature scene. For example, one of the breast shells was painted into a turtle shell! 

Looking for more inspiration or a tutorial? Check out our keepsake board on Pinterest!

Happy memory making!