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You love your niece or nephew more than you can even explain. But as soon as it comes time to write a thoughtful message for their birthday card, your mind goes blank. We get it. It’s impossible to write a message that conveys just how much love you have for them! But fret not. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of messages to write in a birthday card for your niece or nephew. From funny messages to endearing throwbacks to the day they arrived and changed your world for the better, we’ve got 15 ideas to help you show just how much you care. Whether you want to bring a tear to their eye or have them rolling around in a fit of giggles, we’ve got you covered.  WHAT TO WRITE IN A BIRTHDAY CARD FOR YOUR NIECE OR NEPHEW FUNNY MESSAGE There’s nothing more magical than the sound of a little one giggling, especially when they’re laughing at a joke you’ve made. Tailor your message for their sense of humour to have them laughing all day long. Happy birthday to my brilliant, funny, clever, and adorable niece! Clearly, you take after your favourite aunt — me! You’re the best niece in the entire world. I love you. Happy birthday to my incredible nephew! My birthday present to you is a whole day to spend with me! Lucky, lucky you. Happy birthday to my incredible nephew. Did you know that being super cool and clever runs in the family? You must have got it from me! Happy birthday to you! Aren’t you lucky to have a clever brain, creative hands and an awesome aunty?! To the coolest dude in the family. Happy birthday! I hope you have the most fantastic birthday ever and have lots of fun. From your uncle (the second coolest dude in the family).    Inspiring Message Their birthday is the perfect opportunity to uplift them with an inspiring message or quote. Happy birthday to my darling niece. I wanted to share some special advice with you on your birthday. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”  My lovely niece. You have many fantastic years ahead of you, and I am excited to see what you do with them. The world is waiting for you, and I will be by your side every step of the way. To help you along the way, here’s one of my favourite Maya Angelou quotes, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” My little nephew. How small you are, but how big you’ll become! The fabulous Dolly Parton once said, “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” Sometimes I wonder if she knew you’d be born to turn all my frowns upside down. TELL A STORY Little tots love nothing more than a good story. So, treat them to one written by their favourite aunt or uncle. I will never forget the day you were born. It was the day our family changed for the better forever. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It really was the perfect day. Happy birthday, my little niece. It was snowing this morning, just like on a special morning three years ago. It is a pleasure watching you grow into such an amazing person. Happy birthday to my favourite nephew. There once was a boy called Jack. He asked his mum for a snack. They sat down to eat and enjoyed a treat, and now he’s feeling laid back. LIST YOUR FAVOURITE THINGS ABOUT THEM When in doubt, spill all that love out of your heart and straight onto the page. There is so much you love about them, so let them know! Happy birthday, my clever, incredible, creative, gorgeous, cuddly, lovely nephew! I love you because you’re smart. I love you because you’re kind. I love you because you’re brilliant. I love you because you’re you. I hit the niece jackpot with you, my talented, clever, creative, charming niece! ADD PERSONALISATION To make your card as thoughtful as possible, personalise it with your little niece or nephew’s name. Choose a lovely card from our selection of greeting cards, personalise it with a sweet message and get ready to wish them a magnificent birthday.

Blog post written by Placenta Plus Team Placenta Plus was started by Founder, Danielle Kinney. Danielle had suffered from post-natal depression after her second daughter. When becoming pregnant with her 3rd baby, straight away panic set in. Would PND strike again? After searching the internet for natural remedies to help with this Danielle came across placenta encapsulation. It sounded like the perfect solution, so she began to look for a specialist. It was at this point Danielle really struggled. The women she came across had a very relaxed approach to the process. One lady asked her to take home her placenta in a Tupperware tub and put it in her fridge until the specialist could get to her. This just didn’t feel like the premium service that women should expect. Hygiene and correct refrigeration also just did not seem to be deemed as important as she knew it needed to be. Desperately wanting to try out placenta pills but knowing it had to be done to Danielle’s own high standards of cleanliness and professionalism, she decided she would do it herself. Danielle trained in all things placenta but never planned to set up a business at all. When her baby boy arrived Danielle thrived from her placenta pills and decided she would do it for close friends and family. Word soon spread around Liverpool and Danielle was inundated with pregnant women wanting to try out placenta pills. Placenta Plus was born. Placenta Plus was the first placenta encapsulation company in the UK to offer the level of responsiveness and professionalism that Danielle commanded. For Danielle it was important that women should never be expected to take their placenta home or have lengthy waits for collection. A new mum should not have to take responsibility for the care of their placenta. Most importantly she believed women should never pay more for a faster collection that should always come as standard. Placenta Plus quickly became a celebrity favourite. Coleen Rooney, Rochelle Humes and Amy Childs to name but a few have come to Placenta Plus to experience the benefits of placenta encapsulation. Placenta Plus is now a national company and prides itself on the top-class service it provides. Providing mum with everything they will need for birth at no extra charge to ensure their placenta is stored correctly. Placenta Plus will always collect from baby’s birth location and within five hours of birth. Placenta Plus consider this to be a necessity to ensure you get the very best from your placenta with minimal stress on mum. We are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so regardless of what time your baby arrives we are available to collect your placenta. Pills are then delivered within 72 hours to ensure mum gets the best support in those important early days after birth. Placenta encapsulation has been around for many years with mum’s around the world reporting lots of amazing feedback. Mum’s often say they felt energised, no baby blue’s, increased milk supply and many more.

When a close friend has a baby, you want to support them in any way possible. Even if you’ve never had kids of your own, you can still imagine just how exhausting and overwhelming it must be. But if you’ve never had kids of your own, you might be a bit unsure about the best way to help. If we’re unsure, we tend to react by avoiding. You might tell yourself that what your friend truly needs is space. And it’s true, she does, but then again, you can give her space and also be there for her when she needs you. Here are 7 ways to do exactly that.   1) BE PRESENT BUT CONSIDERATERule Number 1: never stop by unannounced! To be fair, these days most of us will text a warning of our arrival. But remember, your new mum friend won’t be checking her phone very often. If you do plan to stop by, ask well in advance if that will be okay. Also, don’t linger on your visit. It’s best to go with a purpose in mind, like dropping off an essential or helping with a task (see below). Once you’re done, you’re out the door! 2) ALWAYS BRING FOODIf you’re heading over to her place, bring food along every time. There’s no such thing as too many home-cooked meal deliveries for sleep-deprived mummies and daddies! Bring something freezer-friendly that can be reheated as needed if you can’t or don’t have time to cook, no problem. Stop by their favourite takeaway or bring some nutritious snacks for breakfast and lunch. 3) DO ALL THE RUNNING AROUNDAsk your friend if she has any errands that need running. If there’s a letter that needs posting or a prescription that needs picking up, that’s a job with your name on it. If it’s something she needs to do in person, offer her a lift. When you do your weekly shop, pick up extra toilet paper to drop off at her place. 4) HELP AROUND THE HOUSESee that huge pile of laundry next to her washing machine? You can make it magically disappear. Those crumbs on the carpet? They’re no match for your vacuum skills! Let everyone else send her flowers and chocolates. You can be the one who’s there on the battlefield, getting the hard work done and giving her the gift of time. 5) REQUEST 1-ON-1 TIME WITH BABYSome new mums aren’t okay with this, which is perfectly normal. Don’t be offended if they don’t want to leave you alone with their newborn – it’s just that protective maternal instinct kicking in. For some new mums, however, a little break to nap, shower or just breathe is an absolute godsend. Offer to hold Baby for a little while and give her a chance to feel human again. 6) LOOK OUT FOR BABY’S BIG SIBLINGIf this is your friend’s second child, she’s still dealing with a completely new experience: taking care of more than one kid at a time. If the older sibling is still very young, it’s especially hard. The last thing any parent wants is for an older child to feel neglected. You can help with that! Bring gifts just for Big Bro or Sis, or take them out for the afternoon to make them feel special and give Mum a break. 7) PLAY IT COOL WITH ADVICEEven if you’ve had children yourself, what works for you might not work for someone else. Chances are, your new mum friend has read all the books and received loads of advice from midwives and mothers-in-law. She won’t need to hear it from her friends, too, so don’t offer your advice unless she specifically asks for it. Instead, be her outlet to vent and support her with hugs and sympathy.   Welcome your friend’s new baby to the world! Discover personalised gifts Mum and Baby will love at My 1st Years.

6 Ways to Make Baby’s 1st Birthday Special The first year is an emotional roller-coaster for new parents, and it all culminates in Baby’s 1st birthday. Wondering how to celebrate? If you believe Instagram or Pinterest, the only way to do it is with a perfectly planned, colour-coordinated extravaganza. Believe us when we say it’s not worth the stress. If you try too hard to make Baby’s 1st birthday perfect, neither you nor your little one will end up having a good time. And that’s what it’s all about, right? Taking a moment to enjoy your amazing achievement. So instead, here are 6 simple ways to make Baby’s 1st birthday meaningful and unique.  1) GET THE PHOTOS DONE RIGHT Don’t rely on your phone camera for this one! Book a studio session with a professional photographer who’s known for working with wee ones. Get a proper family portrait done and while you’re at it, why not have a cake smash session? Giving Baby a fun activity for their shoot helps them to relax and makes for truly adorable candid snaps. 2) GIVE BABY A NEW FIRST EXPERIENCE When Baby is just a year old, there are still so many things you haven’t had a chance to do together. Maybe Baby has never seen the sea, or perhaps you guys have never been to the zoo. Pick a place that you loved when you were young and take Baby to experience it for the first time. You’ll relive your precious memories through a fresh new set of eyes.   3) WRITE A LETTER TO BABY You have so much you want to say to Baby, but they’re too young yet to understand the fullness of your love. Put it all into a letter which they can open when they’re older, perhaps when they’re 10 or 18 years old. To make it extra special, pop a photo into the envelope that Baby will never have seen before. In fact, why not start a new tradition and write a letter every year? 4) PLANT A TREE Make a living memory with Baby. Head to the garden centre and pick out a tree together (whichever one Baby seems to smile at the most!). Bring Baby’s new tree friend home and find them a permanent spot in the garden. The tree will grow tall and strong alongside Baby, sheltering your little one while they play. Take a photo of them together each year to compare how much they’ve grown.    5) GO OUT FOR DINNER (WITHOUT BABY!) Let’s face it, Baby’s not even going to remember their 1st Birthday. This milestone is not just for your child but also for you, you amazing person. You’ve done something wonderful and incredibly tough – you deserve a reward! And now that Baby is older, you can start doing things without them every once in a while. So go on, book that fancy dinner and get all dressed up. You’ve earned it and then some.   6) KEEP THE PARTY SIMPLE Parties aren’t essential for 1-year-old Babies. And like we said at the start, they can be stressful! But sometimes you can’t resist throwing one anyway. Don’t get in over your head, though. Keep the celebrations simple and don’t go overboard with fancy food or fussy decorations. How about a potluck or a back garden barbecue? The less you stress, the happier Baby will be and the more time you’ll have to party together!   Are you looking for Baby’s 1st birthday present? Explore our range of beautifully-made, personalised baby gifts, from customised clothes and shoes to toys and accessories.

There’s so much in a name. That’s why it’s important to give your newborn one that fits them just right. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered by sourcing the following list of unique and creative baby monikers with staying power – they are derived from ancient cultures, after all. From a multitude of cultures and derived from different time periods, we’re sure to have something that’s perfect for you.   Some of these baby names are so ancient you’ve probably never even heard of them – but that’s not always a bad thing!  Atticus Take inspiration from the Latin-originated name Atticus. Meaning ‘from Attica’ – this bold name hails from the region in Greece which surrounds Athens. As a name, it has connotations of literary sophistication and with its trendy Roman feel, combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch, this choice is a real winner among boy names. Harper Lee’s best selling 1960 novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, featured Atticus Finch as the protagonist which has boosted the name’s popularity ever since. Add a prehistoric touch to a little one’s days out with a dinosaur raincoat.  Aurelia For a name that has deep roots in ancient history, consider the subtle name Aurelia. Meaning ‘the golden one’, this Latin-origin name is the female version of the classic Roman ‘Aurelius’ – a highly common surname throughout the Roman Empire many centuries ago. Julius Caesar’s mother also shared the delicate name Aurelia, as well as the American writer and poet Sylvia Plath, showing its lasting duration and popularity from over 2000 years ago to now. Make days spent inside even more snuggly with a dinosaur dressing gown.  Kamal In both the Hindi and Arabic cultures, Kamal is a masculine name that stems from quintessential cultural symbols. Kamal is a boy’s name of Arabic origin meaning ‘perfection’ and has close links to the ninety-nine qualities of Allah which is listed in the Koran. In the Hindu religion, Kamal is derived from the ancient literary language Sanskrit (used as early as 1700 BC), whereby ‘kamala’ translated to ‘lotus flower’. With two positive associations, choose Kamal for a name with plenty of history and meaning behind it. Day trips out will be even better with a jolly jurassic backpack.  Asa For a short but sweet gender-neutral name with multiple meanings, consider Asa. In English speaking countries, Asa is best known as a biblical name stemming from the King of Judah (900 BC) – in this Hebrew context the name means ‘healer’. However, Asa is also a Japanese name with an equally pleasant meaning: ‘born in the morning’. Although they do have two different pronunciations (Ay-sa versus Ah-sa), this is one cross-cultural name that would work wonderfully in an increasingly global world.  Raisa Take inspiration from the historically rich and diverse name Raisa. In Yiddish, Raisa means ‘rose’ after the elegant, beautiful flower while in Arabic, the name is the feminine version of Rais meaning ‘leader’ or ‘princess’. Beyond the Middle East, Russia claims Raisa as a name harking back to a 4th century martyr. Evidently, Raisa has a multitude of meanings and history behind it – a true rose of a name. Once again, this lyrical name isn’t restricted to a particular gender. Little ones will have a dino-mite day out with a brilliant backpack, perfect for holding all of their bits and bobs on their big adventures. Zahara For a delicate yet strong name consider Zahara. In Swahili, Zahara translates to ‘flower’ and this sweet moniker is also a feminine name of Arabic origin, said to mean ‘she will flourish’. It is a very popular Muslim name as in Islamic belief, it is the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s mother (632 AD), and is often used in honour to her. This name first came into the spotlight when Angelina Jolie bestowed it on her Ethiopian-born daughter in 2005. In its similarity to the name of the desert, Zahara is likely to retain a distinctive and exotic feel to it. Treat a child to a dinosaur soft toy that will scare away all of their bad dreams. Juno Pay homage to the Romans with the Latin unisex name that translates to ‘queen of the heavens’. Juno was the sister and wife (don’t ask) of Jupiter, the patron goddess of Rome and protector of women and marriage. Since the release of the popular indie film Juno in 2007, this lively but strong Roman goddess name has become more and more prominent as a potential baby name and has shifted to become a unisex name over the last few years. Choose this name that represents marriage, love, and commitment for a truly ancient name with plenty of history. Dry off your little one with a dinosaur hooded towel to keep them warm and cosy after bathtime. Dominic/Dominica  The name Dominic is a boy’s name of Latin origin meaning ‘belonging to the lord’. Dominic derives from the Latin name Dominicus and in the past it was given to boys born on Sunday – the word ‘Sunday’ in French and Spanish shares Dominic’s roots. In use since the medieval times, its most famous bearer was St. Dominic, founder of the Dominican order of monks in the thirteenth century. The name Dominica is a girl’s name of Spanish and Italian roots with the same translation – ‘belonging to the Lord’. Fashionably continental, this fresh name has been used since the Middle Ages. Keep their lunch and favourite snacks safe in a jolly jurassic lunch bag. Theon Pay homage to the ancient Greeks by choosing the name Theon, meaning ‘Godly’ or ‘God’s gift’. Theon of Alexandria, who is thought to have brought the name recognition, was an ancient Greek teacher of astronomy and mathematics (335 AD), in addition to being father of the first female mathematician. For a short name that’s easy to pronounce, with history that dates back to the 5th century, Theon is a great option for a newborn bundle-of-joy. Mini Theon will love to cuddle up to a triceratops soft toy before bed. We hope that these pre-historic names will inspire your choice for your little one.  

December is the most magical time of the year, so make the most of it with these Advent Calendar & Christmas tree printables. Here are 24 festive activities to do every day throughout December to keep the Christmas cheer going every day!  Download the Advent Calendar printables below  Advent printables Simply print these sheets on A4 paper and fold each note to fit perfectly inside of our Advent drawers. Choose from our Advent Calendar House or our Advent Calendar Train and personalise with your family name for a festive favourite that you can enjoy year after year. Start making Christmas memories and start new traditions with My 1st Years – after all, it’s you that makes Christmas special!  Advent calender printables - Christmas tree edition Simply print out, cut up and assemble our sweet activity cards, then decorate your tree with your little ones for the most magical Christmas memories!   Download them below: Advent calendar printables - Christmas tree edition Click play below to see how cute they'll look once they're finished and ready to hang on the tree. Don’t forget to tag us @My1stYears in all of your Advent Calendar photos on Instagram this December. Use #my1styears for the chance to feature on our page so that we can celebrate with you this holiday season!  With love, My 1st Years x

As the weather gets colder, it can feel difficult to know how to keep your baby warm on winter nights.