Baby Gardner believes in the power of compassion and has adopted a new mission to donate 5% of sales at Baby Gardner to various children’s charities.

We’ll be adopting one children’s charity per year and donating funds totaling 5% of sales. A different charity recipient will be chosen each October. Information about the selected charities will be available on the Baby Gardner website. Customers can see where funds are going and find out how they can further help these worthy causes.

Baby Gardner’s first charitable recipient will be St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude is to advance cures for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. No child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.

“Children have always been our focus at Baby Gardner. Thanks in large part to the support of our customers, Baby Gardner’s focus can now reach further to those children in need. Together we’re giving back.”  — Deanna Gardner, owner of Baby Gardner

To celebrate our birthday, we’re partying with our bloggie friends! How about FREE SHIPPING on every order placed on our birthday? Pretty cool party favor, right? Just enter code BIRTHDAY4 when checking out. (Offer good today only so don’t be late to the party!) Head on over to the shop!

Let’s start with the invite. Our exclusive vintage shower invitation depicts Daddy Bird and Momma Bird sitting on a wire — making it a great choice for a couples shower (or the more traditional girls-only shower).

Our exclusive “Growing the Nest” party banner is over-the-top adorable with colors of raspberry and blueberry. A perfect choice for baby girl or baby boy. Crystal glitter letters, scalloped papers and decorative trim add to its charm.

Pair up our banner with coordinating cupcake/food toppers and favor bags. Fill bags with mints, petit fours or any other small favors. Personalize the scalloped card on each bag by writing baby’s name or the the name of each guest.

More to come! There’s so many more ways to carry out this Vintage Nest theme. We’re working on a vintage nest corsage for the Mom-to-Be to wear during the shower and save as a favorite keepsake. We’re also working on a vintage nest wreath to welcome baby — makes a unique shower gift from the hostesses to the guest(s) of honor. Hang in baby’s nursery after the shower.

Here’s a few other ideas to use in your Vintage Nest baby shower theme:

• Create a vintage focal point for your banquet table using a small bird bath, bird house or decorative birdcage.
• Hand out blank cards (index card size) to each shower attendee with these words printed on it: “A little birdie told me…” Ask each guest to write a note to baby sharing a special memory or fact about the mom- or dad-to-be. For example: A little birdie told me… when your dad met your mom it was love at first sight. A little birdie told me… your mom loves to eat peanut butter straight from the jar. Ask guests to place their cards in the couple’s “nest egg.” The nest egg could be a large twig nest placed on a guest book table. Be sure to label it so the guests recognize where to place their cards. Present the “nest egg” to the parents-to-be at the end of the shower.
• Jordan Almonds (in the appropriate pink, blue or neutral) work great as “eggs.” Place them in twig nests on the banquet table or create miniature versions for each place setting if the event is a luncheon or dinner.
• Create a baby shower game using an egg timer. Call it “Time for Baby” or “Ready to Hatch”

It’s everything you need to host a vintage first birthday party: party banner, cupcake toppers, and petite favor bags. And if you need just a little extra push, may we show you these? Our First Birthday Party Hats add an extra touch of sweetness to classic snapshots of baby eating his birthday cake.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year! Here’s to a fantastic 2011!

Congratulations to Catherine Portillo, the winner of our holiday toy bag! Catherine, please email us your mailing address asap so we can get your bag to you. Thanks to all who entered. There’s still one more chance to win in our Countdown to Christmas. Be sure to enter our elephant puzzle giveaway before December 25th.

Christmas is just around the corner! Getting all those last-minute details arranged? In all the hustle and bustle, remember to stop and smell the poinsettias. It all goes by way too fast. Wishing each of you a very Merry Christmas!

It’s time for our last Free Vintage Friday in our 25 Days of Vintage Christmas! Check out our Mommy & Baby Elephant Chunky Puzzle available at The Baby Gardner! Ready to win one?

To win, leave a comment on this post telling us another elephant-themed item at The Baby Gardner. We’ll randomly draw one name from the comments that answer correctly. Deadline for entries is December 25, 2010. Winner will be announced a few days later. Good luck and thanks for playing!