Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Baby Names, Baby Foods, Baby Gear. What are the Essentials? {HALO SleepSack Swaddle Giveaway}

HALO Innovations{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Nikki!}

When one of my closest friends from high school was pregnant with her first child, I can recall a phone conversation we were having about her recent baby shower.

"There's such a difference between the gifts that came from moms and the gifts that came from people who don't have kids!" She marveled. Mmm-hmm, I agreed. That's because moms know what stuff you actually need. She laughed and went on to tell me about how one mom-friend of hers had wrapped up a bucket with her favorite stain remover in it and added a note saying that it would come in handy for soaking clothes after spit-up or poop accidents.

I told myself I'd remember that one. It was definitely practical.

So lately when I come across posts online from pregnant women and new moms all asking for advice on what to buy for their baby, it makes me stop and think about what the essentials truly are. The must-have, can't-live-without-it, don't-waste-a-minute-missing-it type of products that are the most important for moms, babies, the nursery and more.

And who better to help me come up with that list than HALO Innovations, the company fully committed to providing a healthier and safer sleep environment for children of all ages?

sleepsackHaving been introduced to their innovative products last year with a HALO giveaway and knowing how much this company is an expert on the true must-have products for babies, particularly safe ones, I knew that they would have some great insight into what new moms actually need.

As it turns out, they did. A recent poll of HALO's Facebook community on the top gifts received at baby showers resulted in a list including the following items:
  • Diapers
  • SleepSack wearable blanket
  • Outfits and other clothes
  • Car seat
  • Pack 'n Play
  • Activity gym
  • Stroller
  • Carrier or sling
  • Breast pump
Not a bad list at all! As I'm someone who tends to consult the new mom's gift registry and then narrow down what she has chosen to the items that I think are ones that are sensible (while also hopefully being cute), many of these would fit the bill.

But, of course, being that HALO is the leader in all things SleepSack, it's hard to overlook just how appropriate their products are for gift-giving. In fact, their already-amazing SleepSack Swaddle has been nominated for a Cribsie Award in the "Best Sleep-Inducing Swaddle Blanket" category, an award that this product definitely deserves.

swaddle blanketAvailable in Target stores, the SleepSack Swaddle is the only product to carry seals from leading SIDS organizations in both the U.S. and Canada. I love that it not only replaces loose blankets for safer sleep while keeping your baby warm, but that it incorporates the adjustable, removable swaddle feature as well.

As we used both sleepsacks and swaddle blankets when my girls were younger, being able to have both incorporated into one would have been great. Plus, withcribsie awards the high quality and durability that HALO is known for, I have no doubt that we would have utilized it with both kids and then still passed it on for even more use!

Be sure to head over to the Cribsie Awards from now until March 18th and get your votes in!

Plus, thanks to the generosity of HALO, one person will have a wonderful baby shower gift (or to keep for themselves), because...

One lucky person will win a SleepSack Swaddle (available in sizes newborn and small) from HALO Innovations! ARV $26.95!

HALO giveawayTo enter to win: Tell me your favorite baby shower gift (whether to give or that you received or are hoping to receive).

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow HALO Innovations on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a HALO SleepSack Swaddle (ARV $27) for comfort and safety - a great new baby gift! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/ekYYMz #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 25th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to HALO Innovations for providing a HALO SleepSack Swaddle for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

483 comments:

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Denise said...

I love Babylegs!

stonemedic76@hotmail.com

Denise said...

Email subscriber #1

stonemedic76@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

diapers! lol. Always needed and a lot of baby showers I've been to not many people got them...(to give to someone) For me I just wish people would follow the registry since I *know* what I need.

Anonymous said...

I follow halo on twitter
@missxkrystal

Denise said...

GFC Follower #2

stonemedic76@hotmail.com

Denise said...

FB Fan #1

stonemedic76@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow you on twitter
& daily tweet

http://twitter.com/MissxKrystal/status/42705116658278400

Denise said...

FB Fan #2

stonemedic76@hotmail.com

Mominin said...

A couple of well loved board books.

Callie said...

I love to give sleepsacks! Also, I love to give baby toys for young toddlers b/c then in a year or 18 months, the new mom will feel like she has something still new to pull out and use!

catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Callie said...

I follow Halo on twitter
@lovemymrmason

catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Callie said...

Follow you on twitter and tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/lovemymrmason/status/42781687670767616

catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Callie said...

GFC follower
entry 1
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Callie said...

GFC follower
entry 2
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Callie said...

Get your emails entry 1
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Callie said...

Get your emails!
entry 2
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

deallieb said...

I like to give a cute outfit and some diapers for baby shower gifts.

deallieb said...

I follow HALO on Twitter. deallieb

deallieb said...

I also entered your hot wheels giveaway.

deallieb said...

I follow you on twitter and RT this post. http://twitter.com/#!/deallieb/status/42803095482286080

deallieb said...

I follow you publocly through GFC. #1

deallieb said...

I follow you publocly through GFC. #2

deallieb said...

I entered the Bag holder/outback giveaway.

deallieb said...

Entered the Popcorn factory giveaway.

deallieb said...

entered the dino train giveaway

deallieb said...

entered the happy me giveaway

deallieb said...

entered the comfy sacks giveaway

Alicia said...

A first class baby carriage.

Savvy Addy said...

While the cute clothes are nice to get at a shower, I'm hoping for very functional things. I'd love to get to shop for the fun stuff myself!
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I follow Halo on twitter as SavvyAddy
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I follow via GFC as Addy Sue - entry #1
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I subscribe to the RSS Feed in my Google Reader - entry #1
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I subscribe to the RSS Feed in my Google Reader - entry #2
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I entered the Bag Holder giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I entered the Hallmark Recordable Storybook giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I entered the Pear Tree giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I entered the Comfy Sacks giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I entered the Infantino Changing Clutch giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I entered the Tanga giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I entered the Novica giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I entered the Snazzy Baby Deluxe giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

I follow you and tweeted about the giveaway here:
http://twitter.com/#!/SavvyAddy/status/42956252191539200
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

My fav. gift to give is diapers.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

PJ Greetings giveaway
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Pear Tree Giveaway
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Guidecraft Giveaway
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Comfy Kids Sack Giveaway
gourdsrmylife(t)yaqhoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Happy Me Skin Care Giveaway
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Gummy Lump Giveaway
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Tanga's Target Giveaway
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Novica Giveaway
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Mega Blocks Domino's
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

JennLinn giveaway
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mrs. Kaminski said...

a handknit blanket from my mom-it got so many oohs and aahs.

msilba said...

I'm expecting in May and really hoping to receive the Ergo baby carrier at my shower, I live in NYC so a carrier is a must

msilba said...

I'm following Halo on twitter
@msilba

msilba said...

I"m following your blog via GFC

msilba said...

I subscribe to your Rss feed with google

msilba said...

I subscribe to your rss feed with google #2

Anonymous said...

daily tweet

http://twitter.com/MissxKrystal/status/43001388862681089

jayedee said...

my favorite baby shower gift (so far) was a months worth of diaper service!

jayedee said...

i follow halo on twitter @ntiveheart
ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i entered your raisels giveaway!
ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i follow you on twitter @ntiveheart
and tweeted!

http://twitter.com/ntiveheart/status/43004255115816960

ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i'm a fan on facebook - jayedee halpin dewitt

ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i'm a fan on facebook - jayedee halpin dewitt

ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i follow via gfc
ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i follow via gfc
ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i subscribe via email
ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i subscribe via email
ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i have your cute lil button on my blog
http://lifeinthelostworld.blogspot.com/

ntiveheart@gmail.com

jayedee said...

i have your cute lil button on my blog
http://lifeinthelostworld.blogspot.com/

ntiveheart@gmail.com

Yours Truly said...

My favorite thing to give are diapers!


Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Yours Truly said...

I entered the Novica giveaway.

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Jessica said...

My favorite thing to give are diapers!
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

halo innovations fb fan
jessica tang
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

entered hallmark giveaway
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

entered chili's restaurant giveaway
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

entered mars needs moms giveaway
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

entered blushing dove boutique giveaway
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

entered novica giveaway
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

followed you on gfc - jessica
#2
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

your RSS subscriber on google reader - jessica
#2
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

followed halo on twitter
@hongdoufantuan
jessicatang90 at hotmail dot com

Jessica said...

your email subscriber 1
jessicatang90 at hotmail dot com

Jessica said...

your email subscriber 2
jessicatang90 at hotmail dot com

Jessica said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/hongdoufantuan/status/43024742814461952
jessicatang90 at hotmail dot com

forever&andalways said...

best babyshower gift is a swing
cecc4ever@yahoo.com

Lori said...

I have a friend who gave someone a big box of frozen meat for her freezer! I thought that was the ultimate of practical!
lorif at gmavt. net

Michelle Murphy said...

I asked for a couple Halo SleepSacks for my shower! I like to give diapers and wipes, or a handmade baby blanket.
mmclean13 at gmail dot com

Michelle Murphy said...

I follow HALO on twitter @cheapandcreativ
mmclean13 at gmail dot com

Michelle Murphy said...

I like HALO SleepSack on Facebook
mmclean13 at gmail dot com

Michelle Murphy said...

I follow you on twitter @cheapandcreativ and tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/CheapandCreativ/status/43098481363128321
mmclean13 at gmail dot com

Michelle Murphy said...

I subscribe by email
mmclean13 at gmail dot com
1

Michelle Murphy said...

I subscribe by email
mmclean13 at gmail dot com
2

Michelle Murphy said...

I follow on Facebook
mmclean13 at gmail dot com
1

Michelle Murphy said...

I follow on Facebook
mmclean13 at gmail dot com
2

Michelle Murphy said...

I follow with GFC
mmclean13 at gmail dot com

Michelle Murphy said...

I follow with GFC
mmclean13 at gmail dot com
2

andalene said...

The best gift I received was the ear thermometer - now they have better ones than that but I think a fever thermometer is a great baby gift - every mother will want and need one. abrennan09@hotmail.com

andalene said...

abrennan09@hotmail.com
subscribe via email -1

andalene said...

abrennan09@hotmail.com
subscribe via email -2

andalene said...

abrennan09@hotmail.com
entered the NOVICA g/a.

andalene said...

abrennan09@hotmail.com
entered the Blushing Dove g/a.

andalene said...

abrennan09@hotmail.com
entered the CHILI's g/a.

andalene said...

abrennan09@hotmail.com
entered the Fake Bake g/a.

andalene said...

abrennan09@hotmail.com
entered the Mars Needs Moms g/a.

andalene said...

abrennan09@hotmail.com
entered the Hallmark g/a.

Miranda said...

My favorite gift was the bouncy seat I got from my parents.

Miranda said...

Follow and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/randi094/status/43109305964167168

Miranda said...

Follow on GFC

Miranda said...

Follow on GFC

Miranda said...

Have your button @ www.athankfullheart.blogspot.com

Miranda said...

Have your button @ www.athankfullheart.blogspot.com

corey said...

I like giving diapers, everybody needs them, everybody will use them. That's what I appreciated the most. coreybrennan26@hotmail.com

corey said...

coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
Email subscriber -1

corey said...

coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
Email subscriber -2

corey said...

coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
I have entered the Hallmark giveaway.

corey said...

coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
I have entered the Chili's giveaway.

corey said...

coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
I have entered the Fake Bake giveaway.

corey said...

coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
I have entered the Mars Needs Moms giveaway.

corey said...

coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
I have entered the Blushing Dove Boutique giveaway.

corey said...

coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
I have entered the NOVICA giveaway.

corey said...

coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
entered the strawberry earrings giveaway.

Savvy Addy said...

Daily Tweet Tweet –
http://twitter.com/#!/SavvyAddy/status/43314791950974977
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Nikki said...

Diapers -- but this time I'd love some newborn cloth dipes :) ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I follow Halo on twitter ngirladi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I like Halo on FB ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I'm entered in the PJ Greeting giveaway ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I'm entered in the Comfy Sacs giveaway ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I'm entered in Peter Rabbit Organics giveaway ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I follow you and tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/MissOsMom/status/43390571720613888
ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I follow you through gFC #1 ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I follow you through gFC #2 ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I subscribe to your emails #1 ngiraldi @ gmail .c om

Nikki said...

I subscribe to your emails #2 ngiraldi @ gmail .c om

Nikki said...

I like you on FB #1 ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Nikki said...

I like you on FB #2 ngiraldi @ gmail . com

Jennifer said...

I love giving diaper cakes!

Jennifer said...

GFC follower (1)

Jennifer said...

GFC follower (2)

Jennifer said...

google reader subscriber (1)

Jennifer said...

google reader subscriber (2)

Colette S said...

My fave gift to give is a diaper cake. It can be so cute and hase the essentials

Colette S said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/SpiritRun/status/43395347170607104

Colette S said...

follow blog

Jennifer said...

Entered Dinosaur Train Make a Match

Jennifer said...

The Popcorn Factory Super Bowl XLV Commemorative Tin

Jennifer said...

Entered PJ Greetings Custom Stamps

Jennifer said...

Entered Big G & Hot Wheels Super-Fan Family Prize Pack

Jennifer said...

Entered Hallmark Recordable Storybooks

Jennifer said...

Entered Guidecraft Nesting Sort & Stack Cubes and Cylinders

Savvy Addy said...

Daily Tweet Tweet –
http://twitter.com/#!/SavvyAddy/status/43678361465262081
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

robynl said...

my favorite gift to give is a homemade crocheted blanket

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

follow HALO Innovations on Twitter as rlee1950

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

Like Halo Innovatgions on Facebook.
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

entered the Hallmark Recordable book giveaway

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

entered the Mars Needs Moms giveaway
yorustrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

entered the Novica giveaway

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

follow on twitter as rlee1950

http://twitter.com/#!/rlee1950/status/43766892917309440

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

follow via GFC as primrose

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

follow via GFC as primrose

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

#2

robynl said...

subscribe via e-mail

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

subscribe via e-mail

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

#2

robynl said...

Like you on facebook

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

Like you on facebook

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

#2

Jeff said...

I love to give and receive unique items. Lately I have been into giving amber teething necklaces and smart mom jewelry!
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

following halo on twitter @stkc79
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

I entered your comfy sacks giveaway
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

I entered your snazzy baby giveaway
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

I entered your peter rabbit giveaway
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

I entered your jenlinn giveaway
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

I entered your tanga/target giveaway
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

gfc follower #1
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

gfc follower #2
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

subscribed in google reader
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

subscribed in google reader #2
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

email subscriber
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Jeff said...

email subscriber #2
stkc79 at gmail dot com

robynl said...

http://twitter.com/#!/rlee1950/status/44239759475884032

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

Shanna said...

I entered your shaklee giveaway
(my original entry for this giveaway is accidentally posted under my husband's google account - Jeff.)
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Shanna said...

I entered your fake bake giveaway
(My original entry for this giveaway is accidentally posted under my husband's google account - Jeff.)
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Shanna said...

I entered your infantino giveaway
(My original entry for this giveaway is accidentally posted under my husband's google account - Jeff.)
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Shanna said...

I entered your guidecraft giveaway
(my original entry for this giveaway is accidentally posted under my husband's google account - Jeff.)
stkc79 at gmail dot com

Nikki said...

I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/MissOsMom/status/44504737600643072
ngiraldi @ gmail . com

robynl said...

http://twitter.com/#!/rlee1950/status/44825500736167937

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

Unknown said...

Swaddle blankets and nursing covers are always great shower gifts! You can never have too many, especially rotating washings.

Unknown said...

I also entered the T-Fal cookware giveaway.

pinklady705 said...

My favorite item to give is a small thermal tote filled with some onesies and other small goodies.

2liv2laf2luv at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said...

Daily Tweet Tweet –
http://twitter.com/#!/SavvyAddy/status/45138378412392448
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Aimee said...

My favorite baby shower gift was the expensive breast pump I now use every day.

rbailey1958 said...

I hope to receive a baby bouncer/swing & most importantly diapers

pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

Follow Halo on twitter [pkbailey01]

pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

Like Halo on FB [Pat Kay Johnson Bailey]

pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

Follow U on twitter [pkbailey01] & tweeted

http://twitter.com/pkbailey01/status/45230044842434560

pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

#1 GFC Blog Follower

pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

#2 GFC Blog Follower

pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

#1 Google Reader RSS Feeds Subscriber

pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

#2 Google Reader RSS Feeds Subscriber

pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

#1 Email Subscriber

pkbailey@charter.net

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