Baby Shoes For The Growing Baby

Baby shoes have become kind of symbolic of infants and newborns and you often see them as a symbol (or clip art image!) to complement an article about babies. It is rarer that you see a baby bib or a diaper or clothes as frequently as you see the iconic pair of minute shoes. Whether you bought an expensive pair of 'first shoes' for your baby or got a pair at the discount store, they will always tug at your heart when you think of throwing them away. You may trash all the subsequent pairs of shoes, but the first pair of baby shoes is always very special.

Here are a few things you can do with your baby's shoes now that she has grown out of them:

Bronze

Many people get the first pair of bay shoes bronzed and used as a decorative element in their homes. Many companies, online or offline cater to this request and prices vary depending on how elaborate you want it to be.

Shadow Box

A simpler and less expensive route to go is buying a shadow box at the local craft or hobby store and gluing the baby shoes in the box along with some other priceless 3D memories like hospital bracelets, favorite teddy or rattle or christening gown. To make it less permanent, use Velcro instead of glue.

Time Capsule

Many parents like to make a time capsule for their children which thy can open after a particular period of time or on a special occasion like their graduation or wedding. Along with a newspaper of the day their were born, currency, perhaps a common food or beverage wrapper like a Coke can or Hershey's bar along with a few of their infant memories which of course can include baby shoes.

Feet Instead

Some people hand down the shoes or just don't give them as much attention as they do to what the baby shoes go on- cute and tiny baby feet. Some people take impressions in clay; others prefer painted footprints on t-shirts, ceramics or archival quality paper that will not fade over the years. Many hospitals take foot prints (ink versions) soon after the baby is born and include them in the hospital record of the birth. Some parents include baby hand prints along with those of their older siblings to make a craft of sorts that makes the older kids feel like they are in the limelight too.

Regardless of how you treasure your baby's footprints and shoes, remember to say a little prayer that those feet walk on the right path and in good company.