Personalized Baby Blankets

A personalized baby blanket is a heartwarming gift that can keep your little one cozy and warm during the chilly winter months. You can customize it with the baby’s name or initials, making it a unique keepsake that they can treasure for years to come.

There are very cute ones that combine even blanket & bow headband (1), more simple ones (2) that you can still use once the swaddeling phase is over and, of course, the personalized one (3).

Baby’s First Christmas Ornament

A baby’s first Christmas ornament is a sentimental keepsake that parents can hang on their tree year after year. Look for designs that allow you to personalize the ornament with the baby’s name and birthdate, creating a cherished memento of their first holiday season.

1. Christmas ornament made of glass with cute penguins or with polar bear family

2. Cute reindeer ornament with name and year

3. Engraved wood ornament for the more natural and minimalistic look

Musical & high contrast Mobiles

Musical mobiles are a delightful addition to a baby’s nursery. These decorative and soothing toys can help lull your little one to sleep with gentle melodies and captivating designs. Opt for a mobile that complements the nursery’s decor and entertains the baby. Babies also love high contrasts in colour. In their first months they can only see dark and light and will love to watch patterns of high contrasting colours. So you can also opt for those (maybe soundless mobiles) that entertain your baby because there is so much for them to see. Our daughter loved to “talk” with her black & white mobile for hours so it became our favorite gift to give to other new parents.

1. woodland baby mobiles with Christmas theme but no sound
2. Black and white Montessori inspired mobile
3. Space Musical Crib Mobile

Btw, with this thing you can add a cute melody to any mobile that has no sound on its own.

Soft Baby Clothes

Babies grow quickly, and parents can always use more soft and comfy clothes for their little one. Opt for adorable holiday-themed outfits or practical items like onesies and sleepers. Be sure to choose garments made from gentle, hypoallergenic fabrics. Their first Christmas outfit will surely be kept as keepsake for years to come

1. Romper with skirt and little bow
2. Romper with pants and Reindeer
3. Funny sweatshirt onesie

Create cherished moments on that very first Christmas that will be treasured forever. Choosing the perfect gift is a heartwarming way to celebrate this joyous occasion. Whether you decide on a personalized baby blanket or baby’s first Christmas ornament, your thoughtful gesture will be remembered for years to come. These gifts not only bring smiles to the baby’s face but also warm the hearts of the parents. Happy gifting and may your baby’s first Christmas be filled with love, laughter, and precious memories!

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Shoyu Ramen

If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, don’t miss Shoyu Ramen. This cozy eatery has several locations, including one in the heart of Soho near Piccadilly Circus. Here, steaming bowls of delicious ramen are served, consisting of a rich, flavorful broth and tender, perfectly cooked noodles. You’ll even be asked exactly how you want your noodles prepared. You’ll also find a variety of delicious appetizers on the menu, including gyoza, cucumber salad, and edamame. Our little one loves ramen and was quite proud to be able to get her own portion here. The toppings are not something she likes, so either I ate those or we ordered her portion right away without. The kids menu includes a serving of edamame and an ice cream.

Tofu Vegan

For a truly unique culinary experience, visit Tofu Vegan in Islington. This all-vegan restaurant serves a wide variety of dishes, all made with high-quality tofu. We shared a variety of dishes from the menu so we could test as much as possible. The food was so incredibly varied and delicious — the wontons and twice cooked fish were especially good! Be sure to try both while you’re there. Even if you’re a meat eater, you won’t miss a thing!

Jam Delish

Located in the trendy Islington neighborhood, Jam Delish is a must for anyone who wants a taste of Jamaican cuisine. It was our first encounter and we received an excellent recommendation from our waiter. In order to try as much as possible, we shared several appetizers and a main course. Everything here is vegan, without putting it on your nose. So you can also try “Curry Goat” or “Oxtail Stew” with a clear conscience. This restaurant has no special kids dish or menue and therefor is something for the more adventurous little eaters.

Dishoom

If you want a taste of old Bombay, head to Dishoom with location e.g. in Covent Garden, King’s Cross, Shoreditch or Kensington. All share the same menu, but have different décor. The stylish restaurant serves delicious Indian-inspired cuisine with a menu that includes everything from buttery naan bread and spicy curries to savory biryanis and tandoori dishes. You’ll also get exceptional delicacies here for breakfast. For us, there is no stay in London without at least one visit to Dishooms. Our little one recommends the children’s dish with chicken, buttery naan, and all the desserts.

Darcie & May Green

For a more unusual location check out Darcie and May Green, located on a colorful boat on the Grand Union Canal (just behind Paddington Station). This Australian-inspired cafe serves delicious brunch dishes, including avocado toast, eggs Benedict, and fluffy pancakes. The barge also has a rooftop terrace where you can soak up the sun on warm days. While they don’t have a kids menu, we just ordered scrambled eggs and bread with butter for our little one and it was no problem at all.

London is truly a foodie’s dream and these five restaurants are just a small selection. Whether you’re looking for comfort food, vegan fare or international cuisine, you’ll 100% find something in this fantastic city.

Compression Packing cubes

Traveling can be chaotic, and keeping belongings organized is a challenge. Compression packing cubes (*affiliate) are a game-changer for any avid traveler. These cubes are designed to efficiently pack clothes and essentials, maximizing luggage space while keeping everything neat and accessible. With compression packing cubes, your travel addict friend can easily find what they need without having to rummage through their suitcase.

Not only do the cubes keep things organized, but they also help to prevent clothes from wrinkling. These are ideal for frequent flyers, backpackers, or anyone who wants a hassle-free packing experience.

Jewelry Organizer

For the stylish traveler who likes to accessorize on the go, a Jewelry Organizer (*affiliate) is a thoughtful and practical gift. Traveling with jewelry can be tricky, and untangling necklaces or losing earrings in the depths of a bag is a common concern. A jewelry organizer offers a compact and organized way to keep all jewelry safe and secure during travels. With separate compartments and secure fastenings the organizer ensures that necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets stay untangled and protected. There are flat lays that you can roll up and there are little boxes with personal touch (*affiliate)— choose which you think fits best into the suitcase. This gift will make their packing process smoother and their travels more stylish.

3D Map Wall Art

Now that we have the more practical gifts out of the way, let’s focus on the presents that you traveling friend or partner can proudly present to everyone visiting: a piece of art that ignites their wanderlust even when they’re at home. A 3D Map Wall Art (*affiliate) is a stunning and unique decoration for their living space. It not only adds a touch of sophistication to any room but also serves as a reminder of the places they’ve been and the adventures that await.

This beautiful wall art showcases the world map in intricate woodwork, allowing them to pin their past travel destinations or plan their future ones. It’s a great conversation starter and a wonderful way for them to display their love for travel and their memories in their home.

Mini Travel Espresso Machine

For the coffee-loving travel addict a mini travel espresso machine (*affiliate) is a must-have gadget. Whether they’re camping, staying in a hotel, or simply exploring a new city, having the ability to make a great cup of espresso or coffee on the go is a game-changer. Although most hotels nowadays offer a coffee machine or kettle in the room, you’ve probably have heard the horror stories of what people use these for (if not, don’t google it and carry on with your happy life). With this gadget the coffee-lover can skip those options and rely on their own clean machine.

These compact and portable espresso machine is designed to be easily carried in a bag or suitcase. It provides the perfect solution for enjoying their favorite coffee wherever they are, ensuring they stay energized and ready to tackle their travel adventures.

Travel journal

Every travel aficionado loves to document their journeys and cherish the memories made along the way. A Travel journal (*affiliate) is a perfect gift for travelers to record their trips in a creative and organized manner. With designated sections for each trip, travelers can jot down their experiences, paste photos, add keepsakes, and even map their routes. It’s a sentimental way to relive their adventures and create a unique travel diary to share with family and friends.

Instant Film Camera

Capturing spontaneous moments during travels is a true joy, and the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Film Camera (*affiliate) allows travelers to do just that. This compact and user-friendly camera instantly prints credit-card-sized photos, providing a tangible memento of their adventures. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, making it a perfect companion for any journey and therefore probably superior to the full size polaroid camera. The joy of holding a physical photograph in hand is incomparable, making this camera an excellent gift for photography enthusiasts and travel lovers.

Small Crossbody Bag

Travelers need a reliable and stylish way to carry their essentials while exploring new destinations. A small Crossbody Bag (*affiliate) — e.g. made of vegan leather - is a fashionable (and ethical) choice. Not only does it offer ample space for a wallet, phone, passport, and other necessities, but it also aligns with an eco-friendly and cruelty-free lifestyle. The compact size and crossbody design make it convenient for travelers to keep their belongings secure and accessible while on the move. This sustainable and chic bag is a great gift for the conscious traveler who values both style and compassion.

In conclusion, choosing a Christmas present for a travel addict involves considering their love for adventure, style, and practicality. All these items are excellent gift options that cater to their passion for travel while making their journeys more organized and enjoyable. Make this holiday season special for the travel enthusiast in your life by selecting a thoughtful and useful gift that complements their adventurous spirit. Happy gifting and happy travels!

(*) marks affiliate links. I earn commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost for you

Crossbody bag

Traveling to a big city can be quite an adventure and I really dislike wearing backpacks. You always have to take them off to get to stuff and in tight spaces like subways, you never know who’s going to mess with them. Once we were past babyhood and I no longer had to lug diapers everywhere, I finally got rid of my diaper bag and was able to find a new solution. Enter: the bag we called a “fanny pack” when I was younger, super embarrassing to carry, but considered by our parents to be the ultimate for those first trips “alone”. With a slightly cooler name nowadays and a way of carrying that I should have had on my radar once I was a teenager, the crossbody bag has become a real lifesaver for me, keeping your hands free and your essentials always at hand. It comes in many different sizes and depending on which one you choose, you can certainly even accommodate diapers if your child still needs them. I opted for a smaller version — that also helps me to be very minimalist on the road. There are now really nice models on the market (*affiliate). Without my daughter I would probably just walk around with a cell phone and cash in my pocket, but the following things have to be stored somewhere.

Wireless Headphones

We’ve always really enjoyed going out to eat and, especially when traveling, it’s an absolute must for me to explore the regional cuisine. However, a visit to a restaurant can also be quite a stressful affair, because for children waiting for the food and also eating itself is usually rather boring. To keep everyone’s nerves here, we always have our absolute favorite gadget with us: a pair of wireless headphones (*affiliate). The ones we have can be connected via Bluetooth to the cell phone (or Ipad) and since we are never out without a cell phone we have can easily let our daughter listen to something when waiting for our food. Of course, this applies not only to restaurant visits but also long bus or subway rides or waiting in queues.

Little Board Games

Not only our daughter is grateful when there is a good way to pass the time, but sometimes we adults are too. In fact, when we’re waiting for dinner we usually play a game together and when the food arrives, the our little one uses her headphones. Small board games or travel games are perfect for this. To transport them a little more comfortably, I like to repack them in small bags, because the original packaging is usually too bulky. You can use any small bag or pouch you can think of, but I’ve stuck with these zip pouches from Leitz(*affiliate), which are available in different sizes and I think they’re just awesome.

Refillable Water Bottle

A refillable water bottle(*affiliate) can not only save you a lot of money and reduce plastic waste, but if you have small thirsty water destroyers, you’ll be glad to always be equipped and not have to look for the nearest café or supermarket. In many European countries, drinking water is not only of excellent quality, but there are also more and more ways to fill it up. Slovenia is the absolute prime example with fountains with drinking water in every town and village. Of course, there are many ways to transport it — a bag made of macramé is certainly a particularly chic one.

These four essentials have been a great help for us, as they have made our travels much more pleasant and stress-free. Let us know what practical things you can’t do without when traveling with kids!

*Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost for you*

Belfast — A city full of history and fun
Our first stop was Belfast. The city is known worldwide for the construction of the Titanic, but also has a rich history as a metropolis of various industries, fascinating architecture, cuisine and of course the bloody Northern Ireland conflict, which is called “The Troubles” here. Of course, the best way to learn everything you want to know is during a city tour and so we ventured our very first one here with a child. With our terrific guide Larry from Belfast Walking Tours, we looked at the highlights of the city in about 2 hours. For our 6 year old daughter, who does not speak English yet, we had to translate the most important details of course and therefore it is an advantage if the tour is not too long, which is why we chose this tour from the great offer of Belfast Walking Tours.

Since we are big street art fans we were particularly fascinated by the artworks in Belfast. We were even lucky enough to see a very freshly created mural at the Common Market by Belgian artist Jolien De Waele (a.k.a. Kitsune) as one of the first. It had just been finished the night before. In general, you should not miss the Common Market, because there are all kinds of street food stalls in a warehouse and a lot of space to sit in the middle. This way you can eat your way through various cuisines all within one building.

We spent the afternoon at the Titanic Museum. The building alone is very impressive and holds some small meaningful details. For example, the benches set up outside form the Morse code for SOS when viewed from above. Inside, it’s not just about the famous ship, but you’ll also be taken on a historical journey through Belfast, which first explains how this city came to be the birthplace of the most famous ocean liner. You can see how the ship was planned and built and what life was like on board. They use various media — partly interactive — to make the experience very interesting for children.

We stayed directly in the city center in the very stylish Bullitt Hotel. The hotel was very nice and the service super friendly, just note that there are parties in the hotel bar on weekends and if you want a quite room, you should specify this when booking.

Our recommendation for breakfast is the café in the lobby of the hotel, where you can also eat if you’re not a guest staying in the hotel. Our other recommendation is Established Coffee where I honestly had the best Oat Cappucchino of the whole trip.

Giant’s Causeway — Stone Wonders for the Little Ones
The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and feels like a place from another world. The impressive basalt columns look like the playground of giants and so it is not surprising that the formation was explained with the story of two giants. Legend has it that the Giant’s Causeway was built by an Irish giant named Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) in order to get to Scotland, where he was arguing with a Scottish giant named Benandonner across the sea. In reality, the columns formed naturally through volcanic activity around 60 million years ago. They consist of hexagonal basalt formations that are perfectly symmetrical and extremely fascinating. The structure and geometry of the columns are the result of the rapid cooling of the lava, which solidified into impressive prism-like stone columns. As with most sights, be there as early as possible, especially during vacation times, so you’re not having to share the place with masses of other tourists.

Dunluce Castle — A castle with stories
Not far from the Giant’s Causeway is Dunluce Castle, a picturesque ruin perched on a cliff. The castle is located near the village of Portrush and offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Its history dates back to the 13th century, when it was built by the MacQuillan clan. Dunluce Castle’s stunning location makes it one of the most impressive castle ruins in Northern Ireland. Parts of the castle are embedded in the cliffs, and the rest stands on a rocky outcrop surrounded by a natural cave complex. Over the centuries, the castle has been expanded and rebuilt, but it suffered severe damage from fires and storms. Even if you don’t feel like seeing the remains from the inside, a visit is very fascinating because you can follow a path down the cliffs and enjoy beautiful views of the castle and the sea.

Just around the corner is the small coffee and waffle booth Karen & Co, where you can get the most delicious bubble waffles. You should definitely not miss it!

Two of our cutest accommodations: Dromore House and Glamping Pods at Glenarm Castle
We had some lovely accommodations on our round trip, but two spectacular ones were in Northern Ireland. First, just above Glenarm Castle are a series of very cute Glamping Pods that, like Tiny Houses, offer everything you need yet don’t use an inch too much space. You’ll wake up to beautiful views here. Be sure to grab some firewood, marshmallows, and chocolate covered cookies and spend the evening around the campfire (you can also order everything through the accommodation).

At Dromore House, time has stood still and you’ll feel like you’re in a B&B storybook. The hostess is the sweetest person, makes the most delicious breakfast and the garden is perfect for exploring and running around. There are also several swings and a trampoline, but even without that it wouldn’t be boring here.

By the way, we ate the best scones of our lives at Ballygally Castle. You can also spend the night here, but we only hstopped for a cream tea. The way to the toilets alone is an experience and you will also find one of ten Game of Thrones doors. Those doors were built from storm wood of the Dark Hedges and depict scenes from the series. We also visited the Dark Hedges, but they were on the one hand very crowded and on the other hand due to the massive storm damage not as impressive as before. If you want to see the famous avenue, come as early as possible.

We hope that these tips will help you plan your trip to Northern Ireland with children. Enjoy your time in this fascinating country full of adventures and unforgettable moments!