When my first son was born, my very good friend Karen sent us her signature baby gift– a wooden “puzzle” stool with our son’s name carved into it.  I thought the idea of a signature baby gift was brilliant: something you always give, so you don’t really have to think about it, and something that’s special and particular to you and will therefore mean more.

A few years ago, I developed my own signature baby gift: a hand-picked mix of our favorite kids’ music.  It’s a great gift particularly for first time parents, since most of them aren’t familiar with the crazy world of kids’ artists.  The CD I give serves as a kind of sampler, and I provide a case that lists all the song titles and the name of the artist.  That way, if they like one of the songs in particular, they can explore more tracks from that artist.

All the songs I put on my CD are available through iTunes, and that’s usually where I buy them.  The only complication with this system happens if you have a LOT of baby gifts to give, because you only have a limited number of times to burn each song.  If you go over (and I have before), you just need to re-purchase the song.  At $0.99 a pop, it’s really still a bargain to get all those baby gifts out of a $20 purchase for 20 songs.

I usually include the CD with a few other things, like a homemade loaf of banana bread, a baby toy (stacking cups are my desert island baby gift), or a new outfit.  But it’s a fantastic personal touch that people really seem to enjoy.

So, without further ado, here’s my baby gift song list:

• 1.  Apple Tree, Justin Roberts (if you have kids and you aren’t familiar with Justin Roberts, you are MISSING OUT)
• 2.  Free to Be… You and Me, The New Seekers (if you don’t remember this one, you either grew up in a closet or are too young to be having kids)
• 3.  Fly Me to the Moon, Ralph’s World (fabulous cover of the Sinatra tune)
• 4.  Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz), Laurie Berkner
• 5.  The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Three Dog Night (something for the kids and the parents)
• 6.  Choo Choo Ch’Boogie, Dan Zanes (honestly probably one of my favorite kids songs EVER)
• 7.  Little Raindrop, Justin Roberts
• 8.  Big Rig, Ralph’s World (another one that’s in my top three best kids’ songs ever: gotta love counting in Roman numerals!)
• 9.  All You Need Is Love, The Beatles (well, it is all you need, right?)
• 10.  A, B, C, D, E,  Justin Roberts
• 11.  Parents Are People, Marlo Thomas & Harry Belafonte (again, you better know this song if you have kids)
• 12.  Keep on the Sunnyside, Dan Zanes
• 13.  Banana Split Song, Ralph’s World (Banana Splits Adventure Hour, anyone?)
• 14.  The Hoppity Song, John Ondrasik (we love to rock out to this one)
• 15.  The Song of Life, Scribble Monster (this one will take you back to your childhood, likely)
• 16.  African Alphabet, Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Kermit (on the 35 year anniversary CD collection)
• 17.  Give a Little Love, Ziggy Marley
• 18.  Down By The Riverside, Dan Zanes
• 19.  My Flying Saucer, Wilco
• 20.  Little Red Caboose, Laurie Berkner
• 21.  You & Me, Frances England (I want to cry every time I hear this song)
• 22.  Gotta Lotta Love, Parachute Express (we used to sing this song at Gymboree Play & Music when my kids were little)
• 23.  Firefly, Dan Zanes
• 24.  Rainbow Connection, Sarah McLachlan (best version EVER)

I’ve also taken this idea and used it for birthday party favors.  At no less then 3 birthday parties, I’ve given CD mixes as party favors, and they are always a hit.  I often start them out with Justin Roberts’ “It’s Your Birthday.”  Brilliant.

Do you have any favorite kid songs that you want to share?  I’m always looking to expand my repertoire.

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