Please please please  vote for Babi Pur in the 2012 Observer ethical awards.   Just click on the picture above and fill out the form.  You might even win a trip to Denmark!

If you've ever had great service from us, if you've ever been amazed by our fast delivery, if we've ever given some fantastic advice, if you've ever read our articles, reviews or product descriptions or if you just like us then please spare just 1 minute to register a vote for us.

Here at Babi Pur we really do work our little socks off to bring you the best service and the best products.  We listen to our customers and we ensure everything we sell is ethically produced.  We're still a small family owned business and we juggle bringing up our children with running a busy website.  We think it would be lovely to be nominated and we'd get some much deserved publicity too. So please give us a vote.

Get a pack of 18 flip disposable inserts when you buy a flip stay dry day pack or flip organic day pack.

The flip nappy system from bumGenius is one of our favourites and here's some quick reasons why!

• You can choose which flip insert to use, stay dry (microfibre) or organic (organic cotton)
• You don't have to change the flip nappy cover with each nappy change, just change the insert
• Because you only need roughly 1 cover to every 3-4 inserts they are very, very economical!
• The flip organic cotton inserts dry pretty quick because they fold out into a big flat square
• You can choose between hook & loop or snaps
• The Flip cover is one of the best one-size nappy covers around and can be used with most brands of inserts or flat nappies
• Flip disposable inserts add that extra bit of convenience when it's needed, and they're pretty eco too!

We're sure there's some more good things but that'll do for now  If you haven't tried Flip then give them a go, they really are very good nappies!

Flip Stay Dry Day Pack with FREE DISPOSABLES	Flip Stay Organic Pack with FREE DISPOSABLES

What's the difference between the bumGenius 4.0 nappy and the new bumGenius freetime nappy?

The bumGenius freetime nappy is already proving to be a hit across the pond and it's soon to be released here in the UK.  Customers have been asking us what's the difference compared to the bumGenius V4.0, probably the world's best selling cloth nappy, so I though I'd explain here.

In essence the bumGenius 4.0 nappy is a "pocket" nappy and the bumGenius freetime is an "all-in-one" nappy.

Pocket nappy: with a pocket nappy you have a waterproof cover which has a pocket into which you stuff absorbent inserts.   You can use inserts of different materials and sizes depending on your absorbency needs.

All-in-one nappy: an all-in-one is just that, it's all in one.  Everything is stuck together so you don't need to stuff any inserts inside or attach anything.  You can't change the type of insert you use but you can add extra inserts to boost if needed.

Similarities:  the bumGenius freetime and the bumGenius 4.0 share many features; they both use the same durable waterproof cover material and look identical from the outside, they both use the bumGenius 3 x 3 snap design to change the size of the nappy from birth to potty (8-35lbs), the both have the bumGenius butterfly stretchy tab closures which are available with hook and loop or popper fastenings, they both have the same gentle leg elastic which is replaceable to prolong the life of the nappy.

So what's different?

bumGenius 4.0 comes with 2 microfibre inserts which you stuff inside the pocket.  The top side of the pocket is made of a suede material which keeps moisture away from you baby's skin.

bumGenius freetime uses the same microfibre but there are two inserts, one attached at each end of the nappy and these inserts have a suede top layer to keep your baby's skin dry.  The inserts are only attached by one end so the nappy can be opened out to make drying time much much faster than traditional "all-in-ones" and you can fold the inserts in different places to adjust the absorbency.

We have always considered the bumGenius 4.0 to be one of the easiest nappies on the market, perfect for reluctant dads, nurseries and childcare.  With the new freetime I think cloth nappies just got even easier!  Use, wash, dry and re-use, you really can't go wrong with this nappy.

bumGenius freetime nappies are available for pre-order now at Babi Pur and the ever popular bumGenius 4.0 nappies are available at Babi Pur too for immediate despatch.

A baby’s first Christmas is a really special time of celebration, enjoyment and magic for the whole family; although it does have the potential to be a stressful time as well, as all of you attempt to balance the festivities with the baby’s routine.

We do remember our little ones’ first Christmas, so we thought we’d share our top tips for a super festive and happy all round baby’s first Christmas!

• Christmas is often all about seeing friends and family, especially those you might not see so often, but for your first Christmas with baby don’t overstretch yourself. Make plenty of time for your little family unit to relax so you don’t tire out baby, or yourself.
• Baby is sure to get loads of presents, so don’t be afraid to ask for practical ones if well-wishers ask what you’d like. Asking for clothes or toys that baby can grow into means that they are sure to get plenty of wear before he grows out of it; there’s only so many times he can wear different variations on a Christmas pudding outfit!
• And of course, be sure to mention that you’d prefer ethical Christmas presents for baby, such as fair trade and organic cotton clothes and toys. Babi Pur has a huge range of ethical toys, blankets, clothes and accessories that mum and baby will love.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends if it all gets too much – they’ll be more than happy to help you out if they can.
• Buy a few small keepsakes, like a special bauble, decoration or stocking; you’ll be able to bring it out year after year and reminisce with your child as they get older.
• Don’t forget to take LOADS of pictures of your baby’s first Christmas. In our digital age, you can never really have too many and they will make a lovely keep-sake for your child as he gets older. You could even have them made into an inexpensive photo book later on.
• Use one of the nicest pictures to print out and make into personalised “thank-you” cards for all of your baby’s Christmas presents.
• And lastly, have lots of fun! Don’t worry about the little things; just relax and enjoy your first Christmas with your beautiful new baby.

What special things did you do to celebrate your baby’s first Christmas? We’d love to hear from you, so share your tips in the comments box below!

All images have been supplied by our lovely customers.. here's some more...

Happy first Christmas!

Woke up this morning to find snow in the mountains - yipee!

Today its sleeting and freezing cold, so I'm hoping  we might get some snow in the village over the next few days.  I've been desperate for snow this year because a month or so ago I became the proud owner of a stunning Davos toboggan/snow sledge.

Hand made in Germany these  must be the ultimate in sledging chic (much better than a bin bag/estate agent board anyway, not that I have used either of course)!  These beauties are built to last,  an item to cherish for years and enjoy with your children,  and hopefully grandchildren too.  Plus the metal runners underneath make it look  like it's going to  go really really fast!

I loved all the snow last year and would like to see it repeated, it somehow added to the festive spirit.  I'll never forget how, after being snowed in for over a week, OH and i put in a superhuman effort to dig out the car so that DW could keep his appointment to meet santa for the first time. I'll also never forget the novelty of sledging down to the shop, and really hope we get to repeat  that this year on our super fast new sledge.

If it doesnt snow, i do have a plan b . Santa may well find himself leaving a sledge behind, piled high with pressies for my beautiful boys.

Any sign of snow near you yet, and do you love it or loathe it?xxxxx

What to do with all those boxes you end up with at Christmas?

Get creative and make some funky stuff with Makedo!

Makedo is a series of strong clips and hinges which allow you to create things from the stuff around you.  A perfect Christmas stocking filler that will encourage children's creativity and building skills.  The clever "re-clips" and hinges are specifically designed to hold cardboard and other materials together securely while, unlike glue and tape, being re-usable.  There's a number of packs which include stickers to decorate your creations and they vary in size from smaller flowers up to big playhouses.

All packing and stickers are printed on 100% recycled paper

Shop for Makedo at Babipur here

I’ve been banging on about cloth nappies for a while now, but I’ve decided to temporarily abandon my cloth trials in favour of something a bit more festive.

Like Jo & Co at Babi Pur, I’ve been trying to green up my Christmas over the past few years, mainly by getting crafty. Over the next few weeks, I thought I’d share my makes with you, and as its the 1st December where better to start than our advent calender.

Last year DW was old enough for an advent calender for the first time, but I didn’t like the idea of the commercially made chocolate ones. Firstly because I didn’t like the idea of him starting every day with chocolate, and secondly, because I didn’t like them being disposable. This wasn’t just about waste. More to do with the fact that I wanted o establish some form of special family tradition, and create an heirloom that DW could keep and remind him of his childhood.

So I set about making this:

Last night we fished it out of its box and hung it over the fireplace. By this morning Santa's little helpers had been along and filled the stockings with all sorts of treats! I’m told that there are all sorts of goodies in the stockings - little parcels filled with little toys and crafty bits, tickets to go see the local panto, and even invites to go and meet santa!

Hopefully, the socks will provide us with lots of lovely festive activities, as well as create some special lasting memories for my little man.

I pretty much made it up as I went along, but in case you want to have a go at making your own here’s a brief outline of how I went about it. They are easy to make, although time consuming, and could be made with all sorts of fabrics and customised with sequins, buttons or anything else your heart may desire!

1. Make a sock shaped template from a bit of cardboard (I usually use cereal boxes for this).
2. Cut out 48 stockings.
3. Pin, then sew the stockings together, remembering to include some form of tab for hanging.
4. Work out what numbers you need, cut them out and then sew them onto the stockings (this is the really time consuming bit, you may want to use stencils or shop bought numbers). Blanket stitch around the top of the stockings.
5. Get a length of nice braid and position your stockings, pinning them in place, adjusting them to make sure they look right, then sewing them on.
6. Tie a loop in either end of the braid, and hang up!

If you’ve made your own advent calenders/stockings, please post some pics. I’d love to see what you are doing, and maybe pinch some ideas for NW’s calender next year!

Here at Babi Pur Towers, we’re well and truly getting the Christmas tingles, but we got to thinking about the environmental impact of Christmas, as well as the ethical implications for many of the toys and gifts we’ll all be happily giving, and receiving.

We’ve made a pledge – that each Christmas will be more eco-friendly than the last. We believe it’s possible to have a fun, festive and green Christmas! And here are some of our top tips for a brilliant eco Christmas.

Decorations

For a real taste of a green Christmas, why not have a go at making your own Christmas decorations this year. Colourful, recycled paper chains make great festive garlands and kids can use last year’s cards to make fun tree decorations, along with home-made Christmas gingerbread or chocolate treats.  You can make beautiful garlands to hang on the Christmas tree using popcorn and dried cranberries. You’ll need a long piece of cotton with a needle at one end, simply thread the popcorn and cranberries on to the cotton and don’t forget to make extra for eating!  This year we’ve been collecting acorns and seeds to make a natural Christmas wreath.

As for the tree, some people would argue that a good artificial one is the best eco-friendly Christmas tree but only if it is re-used for many years. Despite being made of plastic, an artificial Christmas tree is not recyclable or biodegradable but they’re quite often made from recycled plastics.

There’s nothing better than the smell of a real Christmas tree! A real tree is carbon neutral, but it’s worth keeping in mind that most of the seeds for European Pine Tree plantations come from impoverished regions of Georgia where working conditions can be dangerous and very poorly paid.  If you’re thinking of getting a real Christmas tree this year why not try to get hold of a Fair Trade tree or purchase it from a sustainable local grower.  You will need to dispose of it properly – ask your council for details.

Presents

Of course, we think that every gift should be an ethical Christmas present and these days you don’t have to look far to find great fair trade, organic, handmade or recycled gifts. Here at Babi Pur we have a huge range of ethical Christmas presents for babies and children – from handmade sledges to organic hats, there’s something for every little angel.

A recent study found that over £650 million is spent every year on gifts that are unloved or unwanted, which we think is enormously wasteful. To avoid your present ending up gathering dust in the attic or even worse, thrown into landfill, why not consider gift vouchers or even a charitable donation? Oxfam for example, now have a range of ethical Christmas gifts that help families in poor countries – for example £5 will buy a family a share in a farmyard or £9 will buy enough safe water for 10 people.  Find out more here

 Food

Christmas is time for complete calorie indulgence, but there are small steps we can all take to help make our Christmas dinner a deliciously green one!

About 10 million turkeys are popped into ovens across the country on Christmas day, but of course you can help the eco Christmas cause by buying a free-range and organic one. So much the better if it comes from a local farm to reduce food miles. Fruit and veg can also be organic and local where possible and don’t forget that all that tasty festive chocolate should be fair trade!

And why not bake and make things at home to reduce packaging? The whole family will love getting involved in the kitchen – you can bake mince pies, Christmas cake and even edible gifts for friends and family.

Waste

Of course, there’ll be lots of extra waste at Christmas time – the cans, bottles, paper, food and glass should be quite easy to sort out; most local councils now collect all of this recyclable waste, check with yours for details if you’re not sure.

But don’t forget about all the other items that get chucked out at Christmas. Batteries need to be disposed of properly; they can’t go into landfill because they contain toxic waste. You can find battery disposal points at most electrical retailers or supermarkets. An even better eco Christmas solution is to use rechargeable batteries.

If you’ve been the lucky recipient of new electrical equipment such as a laptop, i-pod or mobile phone, then don’t forget that these should be disposed of carefully – they can’t go into landfill either. If they still work, then consider listing them on a “free-cycle” site so that someone else can use them.

 Those are just some of Babi Pur’s green Christmas tips. Send us your advice using the comments box below – we love to hear about your eco festivities!

And don’t forget to save some energy! Turn off the TV and head out for a frosty festive winter walk or a play in the park; it’ll make room for another yummy home-made mince pie!

Look what landed on my doorstep!

Being a good girl and pre-washing, more coming soon.

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