Friends of ours were in town from Winnipeg this weekend and we met them for dinner in the Byward Market. They’re expecting a baby in November so we arrived at the restaurant bearing our standard baby gift–standard not because we’re lacking in creative gift-buying talents, but because everyone we’ve given it to has loved it and used it on a daily basis.
The gift we’ve given to almost all our expectant-parent friends is an organic cotton receiving blanket from Under the Nile. These fair trade blankets are made from 100% organically and biodynamically grown hand-picked Egyptian cotton, dyed with metal-free vegetable dyes. The story of Sekem Farm, where the cotton is grown, is actually quite an inspiring read.
In Ottawa these receiving blankets can be purchased at Arbour: Arbour Environmental Shoppe, 800 Bank Street, Ottawa, K1S 3V8, 613-567-3168
On-line in Canada, they can be bought from Rawganique.com. (Rawganique also sells to the U.S).
Green Living Ottawa 
Hey, great site–I’ve been looking for more info on the green side of Ottawa. kudos.