Large and Small
Baby Blankets: Which is the better gift?
Not exactly the
most pressing question of our day, but it is one that I get all too
often to ignore. I would estimate that 50% of our customers are
buying our baby blankets for their own children with the other 50%
buying as gifts. We sell a specialty blanket that has animal heads
and feet attached on opposite ends. It has proven to be an
exceptional baby shower gift. But there is a dilemma. The larger
blanket (not considering the heads and feet) is 27” x 27”. The
smaller blanket is 15” x 15”. Which to choose?
Here are some
questions to take into account:
1)
Are you buying this for a baby or a toddler?
When we first started, all we carried were the larger sizes. I’ve
seen some very cute pictures from customers of their babies lying on
the larger blankets. But I’ve also sold identical (yet smaller)
“second” blankets to customers because their toddler destroyed the
larger blanket from being dragged across the floor. Those first
incidents are actually the reason I began to think about selling the
smaller ones. In addition, the smaller ones seem to agree with
travel. They are easier to hold in a car seat, a shopping buggy,
etc.
2)
Is this a show piece or is it intended as the child’s
main blanket? It’s not surprising that new parents actually
receive more than one blanket as a gift. Most parents have also
discovered that it is nearly impossible to predict which blanket a
child is actually going to claim as “the one.” The lesson here?
Don’t try. There will be a blanket to come out victorious at some
point. I’m happy to say we have a few in the win column. One of our
products is a Golden Retriever blanket. It is – far and away – the
most popular blanket that we have. In my discussions with those
wanting to give a gift, they tell me that “the family has a Golden
Retriever, so I thought this would fit them perfectly!” And they’re
right. In this instance, it really doesn’t matter what size the
blanket is. It’s the thought.
3)
What type of parent are you buying for? This
really does come into play. From the loud, fun family to the quiet
and reserved, this could affect your decision. For the loud and
boisterous family, I’d go large for the “wow” factor. No doubt about
it, the larger ones are going to stir the conversation at the baby
shower. That quiet, more reserved family just might appreciate the
smaller blanket and have the perfect place to show it off – in their
own way, of course. Regardless, you know the personalities of the
lucky new parents. Also, the new parent’s decorating style might be
a factor. A neat thing about selling these blankets (that has animal
heads and feet attached) is that they blend very well with other
stuffed animals. We often find that our blankets are often displayed
in such a manner. If their style of décor is minimalist, perhaps the
smaller blanket would be easier to fit into their existing plan. In
contrast, if the family has stockpiled stuffed animals so high on
the bed that a child could get lost in the excess, by all means, get
the larger.
Of late, the call
for the smaller blanket has emerged because of today’s mobile moms.
Our busy life styles seem to keep us on the go and the children are
along for the ride. My child (now age 6) will not go to bed without
her blanket. If we get in the car, she still likes to bring it with
her because it has this certain scent that only she can smell. The
smaller blankets have become great car companions. Of course, they
won’t actually cover the child up like the larger ones can, but they
also do not get stuck in the car door when you shut it.
Whichever size you
decide on, remember that the act of giving is far more important
than the gift itself.
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