Everyone who knows me knows I am probably the most sentimental person alive. I keep absolutely everything and constantly revisit them to relive every sappy moment in life.
I’m finally getting around to organizing some of those keepsakes I collected while I was pregnant and thought I would share some of my favorite FREE baby keepsakes.
Fav Freebie #1: Greeting from the President
For those of you who don’t know, the White House has a Greetings Office that will send a welcome letter to your newborn, signed (or stamped) by the President and First Lady.
You have 12 months from the date your child was born to request one. However, you can only request a greeting from the current administration. For example, if your child was born during the Bush Administration, you can no longer request one from Bush now that Obama is in office.
Here’s how to do it:
- Include on a sheet of paper your child’s Full Name and Address, Date of Birth, and Your Name and Phone Number.
- Send this to:The White House
Attn: Greetings Office
Washington, D.C. 20502-0039
It typically takes several weeks or even months to get the Welcome Letter, but it comes in an envelope addressed to your child. The actual greeting does not have a name on it, so you will also want to keep the envelope.
FYI- The White House also sends greetings for the following:
Weddings (send your wedding invitation to the address above)
Anniversary celebrations of 50 years or more
Birthdays of individuals turning 80 years old or older
Eagle Boy Scout Award
Gold Girl Scout Award
Top religious recognitions
*For all events besides Wedding and Births, you will have to write a more concise letter asking for the welcome letter. Be sure to include the Name of the Recipient, Mailing Address, Contact Phone Number Type of Occasion and the Date.
Fav Freebie #2: Baby’s First Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will send your baby a free ticket to the circus when sign up during the first year or your baby’s life. It’s called Baby’s First Circus.
When you sign up, you will receive a commemorative certificate that is personalized with your child’s name and a voucher that arrives through the mail for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance. There is no expiration date on the ticket, but again, you must sign up before your child is a year old.
They only send you one free ticket voucher for your baby, but when you redeem your ticket, they do allow for group seating. Also, they do have a special provisions for twins.
Here’s what to do:
- Register for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Special offers here and create a user name and password.
- Follow instructions for the Baby’s First Circus and Commemorative Certificate
*Note: This is only applicable for US Residents.
Fav Freebie # 3: Build-a-Bear with your Baby’s Heartbeat
I learned about this one from my OB and thought it was just the coolest thing! This can be a personal keepsake or a really sweet gift for the grandparents.
Here’s what to do:
- While you are pregnant, you can visit your local Build-A-Bear Workshop and purchase a Build-A-Sound Recorder.
- Take the Recorder with you to your next Doctor’s appointment and they will actually record 10 seconds of your baby’s heartbeat from the ultrasound!
- You then take the recorder back to the Build-A-Bear Workshop and they will put it into a bear that you buy from the store.
The recorder was actually a freebie when I was pregnant, but now there is a charge of $8 for the actual recorder and the Build-a-Bears start at $10.
Fav Freebie #4: Enfamil Breastfeeding Support Kit
I actually signed up for this when I was pregnant and printed a certificate to receive a diaper bag and other breastfeeding support items from Enfamil. This really came in handy in the hospital and I continue to receive some great freebies and coupons from Enfamil.
The offer has since changes and now you can also receive a certificate for a FREE First Visit Nutrition Gift. Your kit will include the following:
- A sample of the NEW Enfamil® D-Vi-Sol™ Vitamin Drops for the infant.
- A $6 rebate offer for Expecta® LIPIL® DHA Supplement for pregnant and nursing moms.
- An excerpt from The Nursing Mother’s Companion, a useful guide with tips and suggestions.
- A sample of Enfamil nursing accessories
- A sample of the NEW Enfamil® PREMIUM™ with Triple Health Guard™, our closest formula to breast milk, should you choose to supplement.
Here’s what to do:
- Click here and select, “Print Your Certificate”
- Take the certificate to your child’s doctor’s office or to the hospital if you are pregnant.
You don’t have to actually sign up, but if you do, you will start getting informative e-mails and coupons.
