25 darling vintage items for babies and young children (plus, I became an aunt for the first time!)

Earlier this month our family experienced a beautiful and blessed event of the best kind, when Tony's sister (his only sibling), Maria, gave birth to her first child: a strapping nine pound baby boy that the elated new parents named Jarno.

As neither of my own siblings have kids of their own yet, this wee lad (pictured below) instantly turned Tony into and Uncle and myself in an aunt for the first time. Needless to say, we're both elated to have these important roles bestowed upon us!

Though our nephew and his parents live in Italy and we're in Canada, thanks to the power of modern technology, we'll be able to watch this sweet little tyke (who totally looks like his Uncle Tony!) grow up and definitely hope that occasional visits will be possible over the years, too.

In the spirit of Jarno's birth, as well as the fact that springtime itself is the universal season of rebirth and new life, I thought it would be oodles of fun to share some of the super cute genuine vintage baby, toddler and young children appropriate items - a mix of clothing, accessories, toys, decor and other charming pieces for little ones - that have been crossing my path lately online.

It is not uncommon, at any given point in time, for many of us to know someone who is expecting, just gave birth, and/or has young kids of their own (or you may even be in this wonderful group yourself), so while very few of these items will fit grownups, they're fabulous for all the smallest recipients on your gift giving list!

25 darling vintage items for

babies and young children

1. Preciously lovely and pretty as a picture, this tiny mid-century vintage pink knit set features a cardigan style sweater and matching hat/bonnet with pink satin ribbon ties, and is sure to melt your heart! $14.25 for both garments from 42nd Avenue Vintage.




2. Springtime perfect pastel hues and fun embroidered animal designs call this lovely pair of 1970s gingham baby burp cloths home, and elevate this utilitarian item into something extra sweet and special. $12.00 for the pair from Starr Child Vintage.



3. File this one under the "I can't even" header, because, seriously, I can't even...A teeny, tiny mid-century vintage Mexican tourist jacket. If that isn't the epitome of old school cool, I don't know what is! $45.00 from Ms. Tips.



4. Bursting with mid-century charm, this adorable pair of matching Plankie brand plastic baby rattles are just as cute as decor pieces (in the nursery or elsewhere) as they are functional, if you wanted to give them to a wee-est one in your family. $18.00 for the pair from Milkweed Vintage Home.



5. Ideal for little ladies or gents alike, these soft-as-a-lamb's tail mid-century small children's sized deadstock vintage gloves are ideal for springtime and would be especially charming sported by a wee one for church or a party on Easter Sunday. $12.50 from Chronically Vintage.



6. I can just imagine what a fascinating read this recipe and information booklet called Feeding The Child For Health, dated 1935, must make for. No doubt plenty has changed since it was penned, but I'm sure a fair amount still rings true 81 years later. $8.00 from Openslate Books.



7. Fantastic for spring and summer - or if you're taking baby on a holiday during the nippier months - this fun, animal print vintage child's top is geared towards those around twelve months old and is sure to garner compliments and "awws" whenever its worn. $15.00 from Salvage House.




8. Wonderful for a nursery, play room, craft space, home library or anywhere you fancy, this beautiful pair of mid-century wooden wall art plaques have an old school fairy tale theme to them and will continue to suit little ones as they grow up. $16.00 for the pair from Happy Day Antique.




9. Almost too cute to use as anything but a decor piece, this marvelously fun little c. 1940s embroidered baby shoe holder would make for such a fantastic baby shower gift, especially if the mom-to-be is a vintage fan. $26.00 from Shabby Shop Girls.




10. Homemade knits and infants go together like childhood and toys, so why not whip up something for the wee ones in your circle with these delightful c. 1951 knitting pattern book of handknits for babies. $5.00 from OldPatterns.com.




11. Sometimes there's simply no beating a true classic and that's what this immensely lovely little mid-century Raggedy Ann doll is (so presh!). $12.00 from What's New On The Mantel.




12. Timelessly lovely and very practical, these sophisticated vintage brown leather toddler boots are so stylish, you'll wish for a pair in your size, too! :) $30.00 from Jade and Lauren JR.




13. If ever there was a fabulous little outfit for a baby's first spring and summer, this cheerfully hued plaid and flower vintage sunsuit is it! $14.00 for dress/blouse and bloomers from USA's Kids.




14. An ideal gift for the special soon-to-be parents in your life, this sophisticated vintage StorKraft baby fork and spoon set is still in its original box and features easy to hold curved handles, perfect for little hands as baby begins to feed him or herself. $42.00 from Sunny Day Vintage.




15. As much tiny works of art as they are timeless playthings, these gorgeous turn of the last century children's wooden blocks could easily be used as nursery, childhood room, and even adult bedroom decor, as the little whippersnapper continues grows up. $65.00 for 18 pieces from Milkweed Vintage Home.




16. Vintage and antique children's garments and accessories never fail to make me smile and wish that (more) children still dressed in those sorts of wonderful yesteryear styles. One has only to look at this fantastic c. 1960s little girl's navy blue and pink, for example, to instantly see why such is the case for a vintage fashion fan like myself. $38.00 from Ruby and June.




17. Who amongst us doesn't fondly remember the first suitcase we had as a small child? I can clearly picture mine (it was in shades of lilac-y purple) and I felt like such a sophisticated globe trotter each time I packed it up for a weekend at Grandma's house or a family road trip. Relive some of those fun memories with this sweetly illustrated (Easter time perfect) tiny vintage children's suitcase, that could easily be used as a storage and/or decorative piece around the house, too. $32.00 from Chocolate For The Soul.




18. An ideal baby shower, birthday, or holiday gift, this lovely little vintage baby comb and brush set comes complete with its original heart shaped packaging and would thus be an especially nice choice for Valentine's Day. $12.00 from Caprock Baby.




19. Almost too pretty to actually use, this kitty cat embroidered and quilted butter yellow baby's bib is chocked full of loveliness and yesteryear style. $9.00 from The Turtle and The Ray.




20. Childhood just wouldn't be the same without things like nursery rhymes and fairy tales, and when it comes to such, you just can't beat a beloved classic like this 1957 take on the age old tale of Mother Goose. $12.00 from Atty's Sprout Vintage.




21. Is this enchantingly sweet mid-century vintage ceramic angel themed light switch cover not one of the most precious things you've ever laid your eyes on? I'm utterly in love with it and can't imagine a more charming piece to use in a nursery. $28.00 from Caprock Baby.




22. How fabulously cute + pretty + fun is this great mid-century three-piece vintage children's dishware set? From the punchy hues to the terrific illustrations, its practically impossible not to fall in love with it at first sight! $25.99 from Left Lane Vintage.




23. These are, undoubtedly, some of these most adorable vintage baby booties I've ever come across. Fluffy pink mohair and whimsical little kitty cat appliqués team up to create a pint sized footwear pair that is off-the-charts sweet! $32.00 from West Egg Vintage.




24. And for even more cat cuteness, playful little embroidered kitties top this immensely sweet 1950s cotton crib blanket that would also work wonderfully as a cover atop baby while using a rocking chair. $34.00 from Atty's Sprout Vintage.




25. I absolute adore overalls, especially on children, and have fond memories of my own pairs from when I was knee high to a sandbox. This awesome pair of 1950s deadstock blue overalls with coordinating blue short sleeved shirt is as classic and sweet as they come, and would look so cute for a photo shoot starring baby and daddy. $36.00 for both garments from Salvage House.



Plus a bonus 26th item that is geared towards all the stylish vintage adoring mamas out there! 


26. Classic, elegant and ideal for Mother's Day gift giving, this beautiful gold tone metal and goldstone brooch is an ideal way to quite literally keep one's love for their children close to their heart. $12.50 from Chronically Vintage.



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♥ ♥ ♥

I was ecstatic when I found out that Maria was pregnant and even though we were thousands upon thousands of miles apart the whole time, I adored hearing about how the experience was unfolding for her and her partner. I know that she'll be an excellent mother and that Jarno will grow up in a home with love and happiness - which, ultimately, is the best gift any child can ever receive.

There's definitely a surreal quality to thinking of myself as Aunt - or, in Italian - Zia - Jess and it melts my heart to picture the first time, down the road, that I hear sweet Jarno call me such.

As detailed here, late January and much of February were rocky times for us, so in launching March (and by extension spring itself) off on such an incredibly wonderful note, I can't help but think that things have turned around and that the sun - both literally and metaphorically - is smiling upon our family once more.

Vintage 365: 1940s ad reminds parents not to leave their babies alone aside while they go shopping

✯ Day 29 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

How often have you heard people of our grandparent's (or parents, depending on your own age) generation refer to the mid-20th century as "simpler times"? Despite the intense hardships our grandparents and great-grandparents enduring during the Great Depression, WW2, and the aftermath of rebuilding much of the globe and getting the economy back on track after the second world war, in my experience, many people that I've spoken to who were alive during these years found them to times that they looked back on with fondness and reverence.

Yes, life was complicated in many ways (hasn't it always been in one capacity or another though?), but it was also wonderful - and perhaps indeed, simpler. Back in the 30s, 40s, and 50s children were not only generally allowed to play outside sans adult supervision, they were expected to. Communities were often more tightly knit, folks knew and spent time with their neighbours, and as a whole society was a more trusting place.

However, even in these seemingly safe times, the (US) National Safety Council still felt it best to remind people periodically about certain practices that they felt were best to be avoided, such as leaving your baby outside in its stroller/pram when popping inside a shop (as the ad above, which comes via Captain Geoffrey Spaulding's Flickr stream shows). Lest your jaw drop at the mere thought, I can assure you that in talking to my grandparents and various elderly neighbours over the years, that this practise (which is still done in some parts of the world) was once very common (especially in smaller towns).

Today many would shudder at the notion of leaving their baby or young child unattended in public for even so much as one red second, and (for better or worse) that may indeed by far be the safest approach in these unpredictable times. Yet back in the 40s when this National Safety Council ad ran across America, such practises were viewed as completely normal. I think that people were more trusting of each other in those days; the unthinkable idea that someone could kidnap your baby from its stroller was simply not one that many dared to entertain.

However, as time rolled on and (whether in reality or merely perception) the world began to be viewed as a less safe, more hostile environment, mothers stopped leaving their children outside when the went into shops (the advent of shopping carts with seats for children to sit in as mother shopped was also no doubt part of the reason less babies were left outdoors), and today the idea seeing an ad such as this one would surely seem comical to most.

Yet, as my grandmother is fond of saying - and I really do believe - those were simpler, better times when men still tipped their hats to ladies, borrowing a cup of sugar from the family next door was commonplace, and babies really did wait outside stores as their mother's did the weekly shopping.