Eco Friendly and Organic Diaper Cakes

Looking for an eco-friendly or organic baby shower gift that leaves an everlasting imprint in the minds of expecting mothers? A unique trend sweeping the celebrity scene and expanding creative baby shower gift giving involves stylish, eye-catching arrangements known as diaper cakes. Comprised of rolled up diapers and other festive trimmings that resemble a multi-layered wedding confection, diaper cakes are non-edible gestures filled with color and whimsy. From organic cloth diapers to luxury baby products, a variety of businesses make choosing a diaper cake that stays in line with eco-conscious values an easy task to achieve. While some businesses use eco-friendly products to decorate the center of the diaper cake, others conceal special trinkets and gifts inside – so when the expectant mother finally unwraps her work of art – a surprising treat is discovered. Keep in mind that the typical 3-tier diaper cake consists of around 50 small diapers. Available in small diaper 'cupcakes' (shown right) to elaborate 5-tier cakes, the following companies are just a sample of what to expect when searching for your next eco-friendly or organic baby shower gift: Diaper Cakewalk With Seventh Generation chlorine-free disposables and the luxurious reputation of Burt's Bees all-natural baby care products, Diaper Cakewalk constructs diaper cakes topped with an all-natural cotton critter. For example, a vegetable dye is used to color the stuffed animals. The typical eco-friendly diaper cake is comprised of 40 to 45 (size 1) diapers (accommodating infants up to 14 pounds). Diaper Cakewalk offers eco-friendly arrangements centered on their Blue Elephant, Neutral Giraffe, and Pink Lamp (shown at top). GrowinStyle Choose the Organic 2-Tier Green Polka Dot Diaper Cake to deliver an attractive gift for parents who aren’t sure if they're welcoming a baby boy or girl into their lives. About 25 to 30 eco-friendly diapers (size 1) are used in the creation of the diaper cake – decorated with high-quality ribbon and topped with Sophie the Giraffe –a natural BPA-free teether. The diaper cake comes with your choice of Nature BabyCare or Seventh Generation Diapers. GrowinStyle also makes an Organic Upscale Diaper Pound Cake and Cupcakes arrangement that gives the appearance of a custom "you shouldn't have" diaper cake order. This upscale selection includes 45 to 50 eco-friendly Nature BabyCare Diapers (size 1) and Weleda Baby Care Trial Size cream. Rattlecake Diaper Cakes The Eco-Friendly Trendy Turtle Diaper Cake provides a new mother with four tiers of Seventh Generation (size 1) diapers and organic baby products, including Carter's Organic Cotton Hooded Turtle Towel and Carter's Organic Cotton Turtle Onesie. Four Carter's Organic Cotton Washcloths decorate the outside of the cake alongside a Safety 1st comb, brush, and nail clippers. Accent ribbon and ingredient card round off the package. The smaller 2-tier Cuddly Honey Bear Diaper Cake supplies a plush teddy stuffed with recycled fibers and flanked by natural, Burt's Bees products. Image Credits: Diaper Cakewalk, Rattlecake, GrowinStyle

Organic Bouquet: Sustainable Eco-Gifts

Flowers play an integral role in birthday surprises, setting the mood on Valentine's Day, and expressing an undying love. Organic flowers and gifts allow eco-minded consumers to support their earth-friendly lifestyle by choosing gestures that place less harm on the environment. Since 2001, Organic Bouquet has been delivering sustainably grown flowers to thousands upon thousands of customers around the world. Leading the way in the floral industry, the company has set impressive standards from establishing the first carbon offset program to promoting earth-friendly packaging. From 10 long-stemmed Organic-Certified Calla Lillies to a spread of orange roses bursting with color to a bunch of exotic-looking Pink Oriental Lilies (shown above), Organic Bouquet is much more than a flower business. The company offers a selection of decorative wreaths. Choose the hand-made Dried Lavender Wreath to add color and fragrance to a room. A wreath constructed of bay and rosemary (shown) leaves behind traces of ancient Rome with eye-catching appeal. Eco-Friendly Plants and Seed Gifts Imagine the delight that comes when relatives and friends open a gift that keeps on growing with love. Organic Bouquet offers plenty of choices in apple trees, dogwoods, California poppies, wine grapes, parsley, and other seasonal treats. Currently, Organic Bouquet is featuring the Tangerine Bonsai, which infuses a room with fragrant tropical flowers and produces mini tangerines. Housed in a natural ceramic bonsai container, this indoor gift is VeriFlora Certified. Organic Bouquet Gift Baskets Gift baskets are an easy way to show someone that you're thinking of them without the stress of choosing the 'perfect' gesture. Avoid time-consuming shopping trips and send a taste of luxury with one of the following theme-baskets:

• The Eco Gardener: For the gardener in your life, this tote provides your loved one with an array of gardening utensils, watering bottle, and a fragrant eco-friendly hand soap. Cap off an adventure spent with freshly grown rose bushes and herb gardens with a relaxing cup of tea, dried fruit, shortbread cookies, and chocolate.
• The Vineyard Selection: With a beautifully wrapped basket filled with organic Chardonnay from Bonterra vineyards, Organic Valley cheese, crackers, chocolate and cookies – how can you not go wrong?
• Italian Bistro Gift Basket: Celebrate with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon wine with a bistro basket offering the makings of a fine dinner (pasta, sauce, olive oil breadsticks, and biscotti).

Organic Boutique Eco-Standards and Achievements From the sustainable gift basket to the Oregano Wreath, Organic Bouquet products meet the highest of standards – certified by the likes of USDA Organic, Veriflora, Demeter, Fair Trade, Smart Certified, and Green-e. When possible, the company uses recycled, recyclable, tree-free, biodegradable, compostable, post-consumer, and wild-crafted materials for their luxury gift baskets, holiday wreaths, and plant-centered presents. Eco-minded shoppers can purchase their gifts with confidence - knowing that Organic Boutique:

• Takes a gentler approach in growing flowers that places less strain on the earth
• Embraces safe ecological standards
• Prints with vegetable-based inks
• Considers the well-being of farm workers and wildlife

In addition to the many green business practices, Organic Boutique supports social and environmental causes beyond their daily operations. For example, the company donates a portion of their proceeds to charitable organizations – raising more than $250,000 to date. Photo Credits: Organic Bouquet

Shopping for an Eco-Mama

From eye-catching bassinets to organic receiving blankets, the number of luxury baby products and eco mama-to-be gifts continue to expand as more companies embrace an environmentally conscious approach towards providing sustainable goods. For example, browse the eco-friendly items at The Land of Nod and you're sure to fall in love with brands, like Stokke, Pixel Organics, Cariboo, Svan, Ecotots, and Ergaorganics. A sample of eco-friendly gifts for expecting mothers include: Stokke Sleepi System 1 Crib Currently on sale for $799.00, the Stokke Sleepi System 1 Crib (above) is originally priced at $999.00, but the extra greenbacks are certainly worth it for a nursery outfitted with this strikingly clean design. Easily converting from a bassinet to a crib, parents will surely embrace this time saving unit. With beechwood construction, the eco-friendly Stokke Sleepi System 1 Crib also offers four adjustable mattress heights, lockable wheels, and portability – perfect for any room of the home. Choose from Stained Espresso or painted White finishes, offered only at The Land of Nod. Cariboo Earth Folding Bassinet It's only natural that a parent wants their child to sleep in safe and secure surroundings. Made by Scandinavian Child, this eco-friendly bassinet accommodates newborns up to 22 pounds. Handcrafted from sustainable Radiata pine, the stained finish is water-based and biodegradable. This gift also comes with an unbleached, all natural cotton bassinet bag, fitted sheet, and eco-dyed veil. The New Zealand wool mattress supplies natural fiber comfort and is also covered in unbleached cotton. Price: $449.95 Svan High Chair When it's time to entice a little one with strained peas and turkey noodle surprise, serve meals in style with this eco-friendly high chair, crafted from birch and made by Scandinavian Child. Dealing with a fussy eater? The Svan High Chair is easy to clean, offering a wipe-down wood finish and a dishwasher safe plastic tray cover that easily snaps off. Other features of the high chair include:

• Three-point safety harness system
• Simply twist a knob to expand safety guard
• Seat adjusts vertically and horizontally
• Adjustable footrest

The Land of Nod offers your choice of Cherry, Espresso, Mahogany or Natural stain. If you'd like to go for the gusto, select a coordinating cushion to accompany your gift: Blue, Brown or Green. Price: $259.95 UPPAbaby Vista Stroller This 2009 UPPAbaby Vista Stroller model retails at $669.99 and has been dubbed the ' SUV of the stroller world.' With a rugged design, the Vista Stroller provides an attractive, lightweight (thanks to the same aluminum alloy used in aircrafts) , and highly functional gift to the eco-mama ready to shed a little baby weight tackling the local park or neighborhood streets in style. UPPAbaby also added an eco-friendly bassinet lined with a blend of organic cotton and soybean fiber to sweeten the deal. What more can you ask for? Other features to consider include telescoping one-touch handle height adjustment, easy folding for storage, cell phone pocket, and removable, machine washable fabric. One last tempting detail…the included weather shield, mesh sunshade, bug cover and pop-out SPF 50 canopy extension that delivers 30% more sun coverage. This product is for newborns to children weighing 50 pounds. Available colors include: Black (Jake), Blue (Myles), Green (Carlin), Red (Denny) or Silver (Mica). Ecotots' Big Kahuna Bookcase What better place to store all of the bouncy balls, stuffed animals, and pop-up books in a child's room than with a 100% formaldehyde-free, FSC Certified birch plywood bookcase? Offering an extra deep and wide bottom shelf that makes gathering precious possessions easy for little hands, the Ecotots' Big Kahuna Bookcase assembles within minutes without the need for cumbersome tools. The bookcase is decorated with a non-toxic, water-based stain (Cocoa or White finish) and delivered in less than one week. Price: $335.00 Little Twig Baby Bath Gift Set If you're looking for a thoughtful gift for an upcoming baby shower, the Little Twig's baby basics gift pack is built to please the mother who plans to bath her child in eco-friendly luxury. Made with certified organic and natural bathing essentials, this gift includes a plush caterpillar washcloth, stimulating extra-mild baby powder, and organic lavender baby wash and bodymilk. Packaged in a reusable plastic bag, the gift set caters to newborns and older. With this particular gift, take note that a portion of proceeds will benefit Every Child Foundation. Price: $39.99 Photo Credit: The Land of Nod