Countdown to Baby

I've always been a fan of counting down the days to important events. I count down the days to Christmas, because it's always a happy, joyful time spent with family and I look forward to it. I count down the days to my birthday so that I can prepare accordingly, and not be so shocked when I realize how old I am. And when I was pregnant with my son I counted down the days to his due date, so that I could look forward to the day when I could actually feel and look normal again. Also, I couldn't wait to see my beautiful baby. To make those last few days before giving birth a little more bearable, I think a Countdown Box by Norwood Arts is the perfect thing to have.

A Countdown Box works like an advent calendar: it's one big box that holds smaller countdown boxes, each numbered from one to ten. Ten days before the baby's due date, parents can open box number ten. Then the next day they open box number nine, and so on until the big day arrives and all the boxes have been opened. The boxes are labeled with bright stickers and contain small useful items such as baby shampoo, infant Tylenol, washcloths, nail clippers, socks, booties, and hair accessories, just to name a few. I think the items included are great because in my experience, we tended to focus on making sure we had all the big things like the crib, car seat and high chair. The little things, while just as important tended to get forgotten. Even after the baby was born we had to make last minute runs to the store to purchase some of these things. This is a fabulous gift to give to busy soon-to-be parents, as it's fun to open the boxes each day and gives them something to look forward to.

The countdown boxes come in three themes - you can choose from baby girl, baby boy or gender neutral. For expecting parents who already have children, there is also the big brother or big sister option. The big sibling boxes are a wonderful way to make an older child feel special and included in the celebration of their sibling's birth. These boxes contain fun items such as crayons, stickers, play-doh and other toys. Countdown boxes can also be reused. Box labels are available on the website for free download here.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a Countdown Box. To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Tuesday, August 5th at Midnight and tell me what kind of box you would pick. Please include your email address. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

Update - The winner is #61 julie. Congratulations!