Traditions are an integral part of weaving a beautiful family tapestry, yet I realized that I have not included any for welcoming a new blessing into the world. After five of my own, I have many tradition ideas for new babies. Here are just a few to get us started.
In Honor of Baby – A timeless and touching tradition you can start with your family is to plant a small tree for the birth of each child that will forever represent that glorious day. Pick a hearty tree that is easy to grow and not too large so you can transport it should you move to a new home. Take a photograph every year of the child standing next to, hugging or watering his/her birth tree and place those photos in chronological order in a birthday book or album.
Blessing for the New Baby – When hosting a baby shower, send out small note cards with your invitations, asking each guest to write a blessing, prayer or some words of wisdom for the new baby. When the guests arrive, put the cards in a pretty box and tie it with ribbon for the mother-to-be. She can open it there or wait to read them after the birth of her baby and then save them to pass onto the child for a special occasion (such as the birth of his/her own first child). I have done this where I didn’t include the cards in the invitation. It can also work wonderfully to have guests write out their special blessing as they arrive.)
This is a great post! Some friends and I do something for expecting parents I wanted to share. We have the expectant couple over for brunch on a Sunday afternoon after church (with our husbands and children) and eat together, then have a Mother’s Blessing-time of praying for the new family to be. It’s seems meaningful to the couple but it’s a huge blessings for our group of friends who get to honor the new family!
These are wonderful ideas. Real keepsakes that both the child and parents will cherish. Thanks for sharing!
My parents planted a small tree for me… It got backed over with a bulldozer while the pool was being installed. THEN they planted a small plum tree for me… which was too hard to take care of and died. Definitely appreciate your suggestion that it be easy to grow! Hahaha, I don’t take it personally anymore but I sure did when my BROTHER’S tree didn’t get destroyed. I love the idea and will definitely do it when I have kids of my own.
Love the idea of the blessing (non denominational of course) what a beautiful message to mom and baby.
I especially love the prayers and words of wisdom ideas. And the praying over the expectant mother and her baby. I’ve had three kids and four baby showers and would not need or want more “stuff” if I ever had another baby, but prayers and wisdom are ALWAYS welcome!