Alaska Made Gifts for Baby and Mama

With the metastasizing corporate marketplace taking shape at the north end of the Johanson highway, the retail face of Fairbanks is changing. It doesn’t mean you have to swing into Wal-Mart and buy more plastic crap every time you get a baby shower invitation. Instead, support our local economy and choose any one of these great gifts.

1. Lovey! Lovey! Lovey! Both my girls got these loveys as gifts. Cedar would sit and talk to hers as she was going to sleep. “Lovey, here are your eyes. Lovey, you look like a cat.” The cat head is a little pillow and the attached flannel blanket is the perfect size for covering a little one. They’re made by Jane Magelky (sbds@alaska.net) and are available at the Farmer’s Market and Bellies and Babies.

2. Far Above Rubies Goat Milk Skin Cream.This is the present to get for the new mom. She’s going to be changing diapers and washing hands again and again. In our dry town she’s going to need a good lotion. They also sell sets of soap and lotion. You can find it at the Farmer’s Market, at various gift shops, and at shows throughout the winter.

3. Mukluks. Ours were made in Togiak, the village where we used to live, and were a gift just after Cedar was born. They’re great. Loose, warm, and long-lasting. Coral wore them last winter and will probably wear them this winter as well. Sometimes you can find handmade baby mukluks for sale at the Festival of Native Arts.

4. A sling or nursing top by Breast Dressed. These are made by Susi Doyle Larson of Ester, Alaska. Her slings and clothing are available at Blueberry Baby. The bright colors she uses for slings are sure to get a smile out of folks passing by as you wear your baby. Coral loved the sling and I loved having two hands free.

5. Knit hats. They’re available all over town in the baby shops and are made by various local knitters. Plenty of vegetable varieties are available. We have pumpkin, strawberry, and blueberry hats. These examples were made by friends of ours. Thank you to Patricia for the pumpkin and blueberry and to Kate for the strawberry.

6. Apocalypse Design baby gear. Spendy? Yes. Super cool? Definitely. If you can go for the big ticket item, the child’s snowsuit would be great for any parent you know who like likes to get outside in the winter. A baby bag or bunting is less of a budget buster and would be equally appreciated. If you’re on a budget, they sell cutie booties.

7. Alaska’s ABC Bears by Shannon Cartwright. OK, so it was printed in China and shipped here, but it’s an Alaskan author and it’s paper, so it won’t be on the planet forever. You can swing by Gulliver’s Books to pick up a copy. It’s a nice take on the ABC’s and the new baby will learn the difference between brown, black, and polar bears at an early age.

8. A homemade meal. This is an especially nice baby gift for folks expecting a second baby. Consider cooking and freezing a casserole or soup to drop off for the new baby’s family. Life with a newborn is busy enough without dinner. It’s really nice to enter parenthood with a stocked freezer.

9. A polarfleece car seat cover. Several local folks make these little necessities. If you live somewhere warm, you might never have seen one. I recommend the ones with zippers over the velcro closures. They’re faster and every second counts when the little one is unhappy in the car seat. They’re available in local baby stores, in booths at the state fair, and at craft shows.

10. Alaska Grown logo baby gear. Oh so cute. All Alaskan babies should have one. Actually, they should have one in every size from newborn to high school. Cedar loves hers and asks to sleep in her “Alaska Growns.” They’re also a big hit with family when you’re visiting Outside. Everyone likes to take a picture of the Alaska Grown baby. Pick them up at the Farmer’s Market in the summer.

I’ve tried to provide contact information. If you have specifics to add, please let me know. Please comment with other suggestions for locally made baby gifts. Share your favorites and let us know where you got it.