Anybody wanna help me make Christmas ornaments for NICU babies?

[GEM]

This may be an inappropriate thing to post, so if it is, please feel free to remove it.

Most of you know the story of our little Paul and how he spent three whole months (May, June, and July of 2003) in the NICU. We were terrifed, exhausted, several hours away from home, and much more. Those months were so hard and lonely for us, and it was the little moments of kindness and sweetness from others that really got us through. Every little card, phone call, baby gift, etc. was such a spark of joy.

Anyway, when last Christmas rolled around, I thought so much about all the mommies and daddies who were spending Christmas Day huddled around an isolette (incubator) instead of gathered around a Christmas tree. I can only imagine how hard it would be to spend your baby's first Christmas in that sort of situation. I really wanted to do something, but Paul was still so small and had so many appointments and all that I just never got around to it.

This year, though, I am doing something! I am going to make sure that every tiny little miracle in the NICUs at UAMS and Children's Hospital (the two major NICUs in our state) have a special hand-made Christmas ornament for their isolettes! That's going to be a total of about 300 ornaments - which is why I'm starting now! And why I'm looking for help!

If you are willing to make a special ornament for a very special preemie baby, I would love to have your help! It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just something made with love that lets that family know that someone is thinking of them and their beautiful miracle. If it could be something somehow baby oriented, I think that would be great - but it doesn't have to be. I don't know exactly what mine are going to be like yet, but I know I want to have something like "Baby's First Christmas" and the year. I'm going to stay away from religious stuff, because you never know the beliefs of the family that will be getting them, but I'll leave that up to you to decide about yours. Also, please include with your ornament a little note for the baby that will recieve it.

I really think this will be such a neat thing to do. When Paul was in the hospital there was a little girl that donated her whole beanie baby collection and each baby got one. I can't tell you how much that meant to me when I came in and saw that little bear sleeping beside Paul. The little things really do matter in that sort of situation.

So, if you want to help me out, just pm or email me and I will tell you where to send your ornament. I'm planning on taking them all to the hospital the week before Christmas. Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Ginny

 

[janette]

It sounds like a wonderful idea, what about those that are less crafty? Would it be okay if we sent ornaments? I thought of course of an ornament I know Hallmark has this year that I had already decided to get for my newest great-nephew. Here's a picture

Paul sure is adorable - I love your signature picture.

 

[GEM]

Sure! That would be fine, too. I just didn't want to post and ask people to go out and spend money on my project, so I thought maybe they could make them. I'm going to make mine, since I definately can't afford to buy as many as I'll need. But, if somebody wanted to send a store-bought ornament, that would be great, too!

If you want to make something, though, it doesn't need to be anything difficult or too crafty. Lord knows I'm not the craftiest person out there! In fact, it could be something fun that you and your kids could make together!

 

[4greatboys]

I think its a great idea! And you baby boy looks adorable! I'm glad to see he is doing well.

 

[mommytotwo]

I am not that crafty with making ornaments, so maybe you could give us some ideas and instructions on ornaments that we can make to contribute.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Sounds like this might be a nice service project for my Girl Scout Troop! I won't see the girls until next month but I will definitely bring it up...

 

[mommytotwo]

You could also post this on the cooking, crafting, and scrapbooking forum.

 

[debster812]

Bumping for Sunday Morning Crew

 

[liznboys]

I'd be happy to help! I'm not very crafty either though. I could either just buy an ornament, or if someone has instructions for me I could do that. Will we mail them to you, Ginny?

 

[Lars624]

I'll help!
My kids & I love to make ornaments! Let me know the details & I'll get started!

 

[GEM]

Awww . . . That's great guys!

Any of you who want to help, just either make or buy an ornament and mail them to me along with a little note from you to the special baby who will be getting your ornament.

As far as directions for making ornaments, I really don't have any. I'm not a crafty person either! I was just going to do an online search for christmas ornamnet crafts and see what I could come up with. I'm sure there are tons of easy crafts out there. Like I said, if they could have some sort of baby or "First Christmas" theme that would be extra great, I think.

calypso*a*go-go - I think this would be a GREAT project for your Girl Scouts! That's a neat idea!

For those of you who have pm'd or emailed me, I am working on getting back to all of you! You guys are the best!!

 

[janette]

As I said I'm not crafty but will send ornaments. Sounds like a really nice project. I thought that maybe those that are more crafty could think of an option for the non-Christian families. Something winter maybe? Even a 1st xmas ornament without a religious theme wouldn't work for them since xmas is a religious holiday.

 

[GEM]

I did think about that. I do know that in this area is is extremely rare to find anyone who does not celebrate Christmas, at least in a secular way.

For instance, we are not a Christian family. We are not religious at all religious in any way, but we LOVE Christmas for all it's traditions, time with family, etc. Our Christmas tree is covered with snowmen, Santa, reindeer, gingerbread men, etc.

I was wondering about Jewish families, though, and I was thinking maybe we should do a few different ones for them, although it's pretty unlikely there will be more than one or two. I don't think I've ever in my whole life met a Jewish family here in Arkansas. It's much more likely that there would be Jehovah's Witnesses, as there are quite a few of those in this area. And they, of course, don't celebrate any holidays at all and would definately not accept any type of Christmas ornament. However, the nurses would definately know who those families are, since they also refuse any blood transfusions and that would have been made very clear.

 

[kylara]

This sounds like a wonderful idea. And the idea of getting the girl scout troop involved (from calypoe) is great.

For those of you who aren't very crafty, you might want to check out oriental trading...they have very simple craft kits for ornaments with step by step instructions to put together.

 

[Pam]

Count me in!!

And kylara - that's an excellent idea! Oriental Trading has inexpensive kits that will usually make 6-12 ornaments!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I'd like to make a few/or buy a few. I sent you a PM!

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by kylara
For those of you who aren't very crafty, you might want to check out oriental trading...they have very simple craft kits for ornaments with step by step instructions to put together.

Oh yeah, I love that place, great idea!!

Oh and whatever I send will be non-religious. So something along the lines of Santa, snowmen, candy canes, etc...

Here's the link to Oriental Trading xmas craft ornaments There are lots of cute ones!!

 

[GEM]

Thanks so much to all of you!! If you responded here, emailed me, or pm'd me, you can definately expect to hear from me tomorrow with some more details! You guys really are the best and I appreciate every single one of you!

 

[janette]

I looked at the link and my girls love to do those type of kits shown on the trading company site. If those would work let me know and I can have them do them.

Ginny, if you'd like to let us know what you think would work best that would be fine. there are many to chose from but some might be better than others. Any guidelines would be great.

I'm sure they are going to love it

 

[mommytotwo]

Been thinking and thinking of what to make, ... and I had just sent you a pm. Sign me up.