It’s a bit strange to recommend a baby blanket as a holiday gift idea since we found ourselves submerged in mountains of fleecy, cottony, polka-dotted blankets for both our baby showers. Really, how many blankets does a baby need?

Just one.  The Baby Bambu Bamboo Crib Blanket has turned out to be our absolute favorite after trying dozens upon dozens of others.  But we were skeptical in the beginning. With a price tag over $40.00 (although it’s currently on sale for $30) and a “dry clean only” recommendation we were sure it would quickly be stashed in the closet along with the others.

Its incredibly soft bamboo fabric was the first thing to impress us followed by its perfect thickness—not too bulky, not too thin.  Still, we tossed it in the wash along with all our other laundry in rebellion of the dry cleaning recommendation—sure it would disintegrate when exposed to water and detergent.  It has emerged stain free and just as soft after dozens of washings. (The company has since changed the recommendations to “machine wash, tumble dry.”)

We also love its ample size (40”x55”) which is ideal for swaddling or draping over the car seat when baby falls asleep—unlike those smallish square blankets that become completely worthless after just a few months. Although the picture shows several colors of border stitching The Bambu Baby Blanket is only available from Amazon.com in white or blue border stiching, which makes it an heirloom that can be used for several babes, regardless of gender.  If you really love the other colors, you can check Baby Bambu’s website.

While bamboo is certainly more environmentally friendly than polyester, it does have a lot of impact as it is processed to be made into fabric.  Still, it’s nice to support an eco-friendly company that makes such a high quality product. In short, it’s a wonderful gift for a newborn that will last well into toddlerhood.

What are your favorite holiday recommendations for baby?  Do you have a favorite brand of blanket that has stood our amongst the rest?  Or did your child choose his or her favorite?