Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 12, 1990 TAG: 9008080145
SECTION: PARENTS' GUIDE PAGE: 10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Sara Cox
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For the gift that keeps on giving, consider starting a set of something - many start sets of crystal, china or silver, but that can be costly.
Pewter Virginia or Jefferson Cups, which can be put to good use later on in life and can also be engraved with the occasion's date and the baby's initials, offer a good and affordable alternative. Virginia Cups range in size from one to 16 ounces and are shaped like giant thimbles. Jefferson Cups are typically eight ounces and are beehive-shaped. Although both are available in sterling, the pewter prices start at $8 and go up to $27, according to Sarah Nichols of Frank L. Moose Jewelers in Roanoke.
Pearls also make a nice starter gift. While an entire string may be prohibitive in cost, periodically adding a few at the right occasion will both set a lovely tradition and create anticipation for the day the pearls can finally make their debut.
The pearl size may range from three to eight millimeters (it takes about seven pearls of 3 1/2 millimeter each to total one inch); the three-millimeter size cost about $7 each at Moose. As the pearls are added, they are knotted or strung on silk and added to the silver or gold-filled chain.
Another girly gift is a set of calling cards. Paper Alley on Market Street in Roanoke offers these in sets of 25 ($7.25), 50 ($11.50), or 100 ($20). This includes any of 22 styles and one line of type. Owner Gale Sowers suggested that calling cards are appropriate for children of all ages and can be used an an inexpensive alternative to cards when the youngsters are invited to birthday parties.
Another suggestion from Paper Alley is a twist on the traditional baby book. This one, "My New Baby and Me" for $9.95, is given to the older brother or sister to record their first year with the new sibling. From head to toe, the baby should look well turned-out.
Perhaps a pair of crocheted Italian booties from the Joy of Sox at Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke may end the quest for the perfect present. These come trimmed in yellow, blue or pink satin ribbons, and cost $7.00. Also available are Christian Dior crocheted cotton booties, with the CD logo, for $4.00.
Handcrafted wooden toys often last generations and eventually take on the worn veneer of the much-loved. The Blue Ribbon Boutique on Market Street in Roanoke offers Elwood Turner rock maple rattles for $14.50.
The Baby Store at Oak Grove Plaza has Montgomery Schoolhouse rattles for $4 to $6, as well as sets of cars and trains that vary in price from $6 to $20, and allow room to add on as the birthdays roll around.
More toys to gnaw on: a sterling teething ring, just above the price range at $23, can be found, and engraved, at Frank L. Moose, or the sterling toothbrush at $43, which has replacement bristle inserts.
And for presents that last longer than your baby's lifetime: the classic Beatrix Potter books, in their original, miniature and hardback version for $4.95 each.
The Ram's Head book store at Roanoke's Towers Shopping Mall carries a good selection of them, as well as a full variety of other children's classic books, most for under $20. For bedtime stories, try "Goodnight Moon," "Owl Moon," or "Papa Please Get the Moon for Me."
Two other notables: To avoid pea-chasing at mealtime, a silver-plated food pusher from Moose rings in at $14.50, and really does work. And a little bauble for the bouncy baby: a Waterford crystal baby bottle. It catches the light rather nicely.
by CNB