Not exactly the most pressing question of our day, but it is one that I get all too often to ignore. I would estimate that 50% of our customers are buying our baby blankets for their own children with the other 50% buying as gifts. We sell a specialty blanket that has animal heads and feet attached on opposite ends. It has proven to be an exceptional baby shower gift. But there is a dilemma. The larger blanket (not considering the heads and feet) is 27? x 27?. The smaller blanket is 15? x 15?. Which to choose?

Here are some questions to take into account:

1)Are you buying this for a baby or a toddler? When we first started, all we carried were the larger sizes. I've seen some very cute pictures from customers of their babies lying on the larger blankets. But I've also sold identical (yet smaller) ?second? blankets to customers because their toddler destroyed the larger blanket from being dragged across the floor. Those first incidents are actually the reason I began to think about selling the smaller ones. In addition, the smaller ones seem to agree with travel. They are easier to hold in a car seat, a shopping buggy, etc.

2)Is this a show piece or is it intended as the child's main blanket? It's not surprising that new parents actually receive more than one blanket as a gift. Most parents have also discovered that it is nearly impossible to predict which blanket a child is actually going to claim as ?the one.? The lesson here? Don't try. There will be a blanket to come out victorious at some point. I'm happy to say we have a few in the win column. One of our products is a Golden Retriever blanket. It is ? far and away ? the most popular blanket that we have. In my discussions with those wanting to give a gift, they tell me that ?the family has a Golden Retriever, so I thought this would fit them perfectly!? And they're right. In this instance, it really doesn't matter what size the blanket is. It's the thought.

3)What type of parent are you buying for? This really does come into play. From the loud, fun family to the quiet and reserved, this could affect your decision. For the loud and boisterous family, I'd go large for the ?wow? factor. No doubt about it, the larger ones are going to stir the conversation at the baby shower. That quiet, more reserved family just might appreciate the smaller blanket and have the perfect place to show it off ? in their own way, of course. Regardless, you know the personalities of the lucky new parents. Also, the new parent's decorating style might be a factor. A neat thing about selling these blankets (that has animal heads and feet attached) is that they blend very well with other stuffed animals. We often find that our blankets are often displayed in such a manner. If their style of d'cor is minimalist, perhaps the smaller blanket would be easier to fit into their existing plan. In contrast, if the family has stockpiled stuffed animals so high on the bed that a child could get lost in the excess, by all means, get the larger.

Of late, the call for the smaller blanket has emerged because of today's mobile moms. Our busy life styles seem to keep us on the go and the children are along for the ride. My child (now age 6) will not go to bed without her blanket. If we get in the car, she still likes to bring it with her because it has this certain scent that only she can smell. The smaller blankets have become great car companions. Of course, they won't actually cover the child up like the larger ones can, but they also do not get stuck in the car door when you shut it.

Whichever size you decide on, remember that the act of giving is far more important than the gift itself.