What to Keep in a Baby Keepsake Box: Treasures from the First Year

The first year with a baby passes in a blur. One day you're bringing home a tiny newborn, and before you know it they're walking across the living room. Along the way, you collect little treasures that suddenly mean the world.

A baby keepsake box gives those treasures a home. Here's what to keep in it, so one day you (and your child) can open it and remember exactly how it all began.

From the very beginning

• The first ultrasound photo, the very first picture you ever had of your baby
• A pregnancy announcement or the positive test, if you kept it
• Cards from your baby shower, especially handwritten notes from grandparents and close friends

From the hospital

• The hospital bracelet, both baby's and yours
• The tiny hospital hat or the first onesie
• The birth announcement or a printed copy of the first message you sent to family
• The coming-home outfit, worn just once but impossible to give away

The firsts

• A lock of hair from the first haircut
• The first tooth (in a small envelope or tiny container)
• The first pair of shoes
• A handprint or footprint made at home or at the hospital
• The first drawing, even if it's just a scribble

Holidays and special days

• The first Christmas card with the baby's name on it
• A ribbon from the first present
• The first Santa photo, especially the crying ones
• The first birthday candle

A letter for the future

One of the most meaningful things you can add is a letter. Write to your child about the day they were born, how it felt to hold them for the first time, and what you hope for them. Ask grandparents to write one too. These letters often become the most treasured part of the box.

Choosing the right keepsake box

A good keepsake box should be big enough to hold small clothes and cards without folding them too much, and beautiful enough to keep out on a shelf. Our personalized keepsake boxes are 11.4 x 11.4 inches and come in several designs:

• The Elephant with a Crown, soft florals for a gentle, timeless look
• The Safari Jeep, with jungle animals on an adventure
• The Ocean Friends, with an octopus, seahorse and narwhal
• The Hot Air Balloon, a dreamy, neutral design
• The Little Bunny, sweet and simple

Each one is personalized with your baby's name, making it a meaningful gift for new parents, a baby shower or a christening.

A gift that grows in value

A keepsake box starts out empty, but over the years it becomes one of the most precious things a family owns. New to our shop? Sign up on our website and get 10% off your first order.

See all keepsake boxes at Boutique Lumière