When you receive a baby announcement for a baby that has been feted at baby showers, and also has doting grandparents and a nursery fit for royalty, it is tough to come up with a unique baby gift.  And if the birth announcement is from a family announcing their third or fourth child, or their second child of the same sex as the first, the natural reaction is "what could this child possibly need?"  But the truth is that every baby needs something that is his or hers alone.  Something that has never belonged to anyone else; something that is not a hand-me-down; something that he or she will always treasure.

A beautiful, soft baby blanket is always a cherished gift, and a handcrafted personalized baby blanket is an instant keepsake.  When you are investing time and money in a custom blanket, you should consider the following guidelines:

l. Find out the color scheme of the baby's nursery.
2. Double check the spelling of the child's name.
3. Make sure the blanket is washable.
4. Check the production time.  Custom blankets take anywhere from two weeks to two months.

Here is a list of my four favorite unique sources for personalized custom and handcrafted baby blankets made in the United States:

l. Butterscotch Blankees' soft knitted acrylic 36 inch by 53 inch crib blanket or 22 inch by 28 inch stroller blanket is a one of a kind blanket for your baby's nursery or stroller.  It is available in 16 colors and 6 font styles.  Choose one color for the blanket and the other color for the personalization and accent.  There are over 200 possible color combinations from soft pastels to vivid primary colors.  There are over 20 designs, including classic styles like dots, sports, florals designs, and monograms.  For an edgier blanket, you can choose motorcycles or skulls and bones.  That makes over 4,000 chances that you will not see your blanket on every stroller in town.  Complimentary gift wrap as a butterscotch candy.  Available in crib size for $125 or stroller size for $52.  For a super deluxe blanket, choose organic wool at $180.00.

2. Judy Lichenstein is an artist who designs cozy fleece crib blankets.  Each blanket is a work of art and features hand appliqued letters in different colors to compliment her animal, sports and flower designs.  Every blanket is backed with a unique cotton fabric in stripes or geometric designs. The blankets are 32 by 40 inches. Pick any color, any style, anything your imagination can dream up and she can produce it for you at $110.00

3. Hoosier Magnolia is an artist owned company that crafts small quantities of unique stroller blankets that measure 28" by 36".  Her signature designs include  elephants, butterflies, dinosaurs, giraffes and other whimsical animals appliqued in the right hand corner of a soft minky blanket trimmed and lined in 100% cotton floral and geometric patterns. Prices start at $54 for her cotton blankets and $72 for her organic blankets.

4. Boogie Baby has over 100 amazing  baby blanket designs to choose from. Every imaginable sport plus blankets with sheep, boats,trains, planes,trucks,  dogs, cats, shopping, flowers, hearts, picket fences and more are featured in these incredible soft baby blankets.  Each style comes in six different sizes from mini blankets (18 by 23 inches at $50) to round blankets for tummy time (47 inches at $155). Every blanket is personalized with appliqued block letters and the customer is given a choice of three different fabrics of various colors to create their favorite blankets. The possibilites are overwhelming.

A blanket is a baby's most important possession.  It is an extension of the loving arms of his or her mother.  If you choose carefully, your gift maybe the one that he or she never leaves home without.