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Tiny
Treasures
Jewelry is a delightfully appealing way to mark a
moment in time with your child.
From birth or adoption to graduation and everything
in between, there are so many "firsts" to
celebrate with your child: first birthday, first day
of school, first time being a flower girl or ring
bearer, first ballet recital or soccer game, first
time being a big sister or brother--even everyday
rites of passage such as losing a tooth or sleeping
away from home for the first time. For all these memories-in-the-making,
there's a perfect piece of jewelry to delight your
child and help you cherish precious milestones--big
and small. |
Birthstones have a long tradition of
being a cherished "first jewelry" gift.
Each time your child wears her birthstone, share memories
from the day she was born: "Grandma and Grandpa
few all the way from Ohio just to meet you."
Or: "Daddy ordered us a pizza right in the hospital!"
Try a new twist on birthstone jewelry for a first-time
big sister: incorporate both her birthstone and her
new baby brother or sister's birthstone into one piece
of jewelry. She'll feel the honor of being a big sister,
connected to her new sibling, and very grown up.
Most children have at least one occasion in their
lives that calls for dressing their very best, whether
it's their own christening, a family portrait, first
communion, a bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah, or the invitation
to be part of a bridal party. For these most formal
rites of passage, very special pieces of jewelry can
honor family or religious traditions and mark the
importance of taking part in ceremony. A luminous
pearl bracelet, a tie clip accented with a small diamond,
or a delicate cross or Star of David pendant can be
the start of a new tradition in your family. It may
even become an heirloom handed down for generations
to come.
Lockets help loved ones feel close-to-heart during
some of those "firsts" that can be a little
bit scary. Having a picture of Mom or Dad close at
hand can help calm the first-day-of-school jitters
or the sleep-away camp blues. Lockets can also help
ease your child's sadness if you often have to travel
away from home. Tuck a tiny note inside the locket
to remind your child that you'll be thinking of her
every day. Lockets can also help comfort your child
at times of loss. Place a picture of your child's
beloved grandparent or even a favorite pet inside
a locket. Share the symbolism by saying that although
people and animals sometimes die, they will always
be near and dear to our hearts.
Jewelry can help keep your child safe, too. ID-tag
necklaces and bracelets can be engraved with your
address or phone number in case your child gets lost
while hiking, camping, or vacationing in a new city.
If your child has a medical condition such as diabetes
or epilepsy, a medical ID bracelet can help rescuers
quickly pinpoint the care your child needs. Bracelets
with colorful sport bands can help children overcome
their reluctance to wearing medical ID. Matching sport
bands with plain tags come in adult sizes, too, so
the whole family can show their love and support.
Charms are an easy way to express pint-sized individuality
and style. No matter what your child's interest--butterflies,
soccer, hearts, bugs, cars, flowers, trains, dolphins,
teddy bears, or fairies--there's a charm to capture
it. A single charm makes an adorable necklace, bracelet,
or anklet perfectly scaled to fit your child's body.
Add charms as interests and activities develop. Before
long you'll have a piece of jewelry that tells a story
about your child, a story that he or she will love
to hear over and over again. While you're in the doctor's
waiting room or standing in a grocery store line,
"read" the charm bracelet with your child.
Explain that each charm is a memory that makes up
the story of his or her life.
No matter what jewelry you choose, encourage your
child to get creative. Wear a bracelet as an anklet
or a hair tie. Try a pinky ring on a big toe. Mix
and match earrings. Wear two necklaces at once, or
wear one necklace as a multi-strand bracelet. Jewelry
is a wonderful mix of tradition, fashion, and fun.
It's never too soon to encourage your child to develop
his or her own personal style. |
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