We are thrilled to share the first interview in our series of retailer spotlights. We sat down with Debbie Jakobsen, the inspiring owner of Roo & Little Boo, who curates beautiful newborn baby hampers.

We have been working alongside Debbie and the Team for over two years now and its always a delight to see our gift-books included in their beautiful hampers.

Discover the story behind Roo & Little Boo, how passion and creativity have shaped the business, which saw the hampers feature in British Vogue and more information about our product range.

Debbie, Can you tell us the story behind Roo & Little Boo?

Roo & Little Boo began with an Etsy shop started during the COVID pandemic, where I focused on making and embroidering baby rompers. The name "Roo" is inspired by my first grandson, Rupert, who was just a tiny bundle of joy at the time. The idea for expanding into baby hampers came about serendipitously—my friend Ann, a savvy businesswoman, had ordered a baby hamper for a relative. When she showed it to me, she said, "You could do this—you’re so creative."

That moment was a turning point. I instantly became excited and obsessed with the idea of creating hampers, envisioning how I could add my own unique twist to them.

My background in the NHS as a midwife, health visitor, and family nurse gave me valuable insights into what pregnant mums and new babies need and want. This experience, combined with the support and skills of friends and family, helped turn the dream into a reality.

Using the IT expertise of my son, business knowledge of Ann and helped by my daughter we worked tirelessly to get the business up and running, and today, Roo & Little Boo is a reflection of our passion for creating beautiful, thoughtful gifts that celebrate the joy of new life.

What's your favourite part of running your own business? 

If I had to pick, my favourite part of running my own business is definitely sourcing and receiving new stock. The excitement of opening a delivery filled with new products never fades—it’s like unwrapping a present every time. It certainly scratches my shopping itch!

I love the creative process that follows, where my mind runs riot with ideas on how to combine different items to craft stunning hampers. It’s incredibly satisfying to see how each new product can fit into our range, and I enjoy the challenge of curating unique and beautiful combinations that will delight our customers.

What’s been your proudest achievement so far? 

Our proudest achievement so far has been being approached by British Vogue at the end of last year. It was a truly surreal moment—I had to double-check the email multiple times to make sure it was for real!

British Vogue is such an iconic and prestigious magazine, so being invited to feature in its pages felt like an absolute dream come true. It was a major milestone for us, validating all the passion and hard work we’ve poured into Roo & Little Boo.

How do you choose the items that are included in your hampers?

We start by considering what new parents would like and what will benefit baby, ensuring that every product in our hampers serves a valuable purpose. It’s important for us that items in the hampers should be safe for the baby, therefore we select items from trusted brands that meet the high standards of quality and safety.

We try and put a good selection into a basket, we believe that the best gifts are those that create lasting memories. That’s why we include items like personalised baby blankets, keepsake books, soft cuddly toys that can become beloved companions as the baby grows and those cute first outfits. 

We generally start with an outfit and then work around that matching the colour scheme with a blanket, soft toy, booties and book or journal, depending on the size of the hamper, we also like to put some edibles in for the parents as a treat after all they do all the hard work!.

We often do themed hampers for example we do a Koala one which is really popular with our Australian customers. Also covering different budgets so we offer a wide range in price.

Each hamper is thoughtfully assembled with a blend of essential and special items, presented in a way that reflects the thought, love and care behind the gift. By paying attention to the smallest details we ensure that the unboxing experience is as special as the gift itself.

How did you find out about FROM YOU TO ME?

We wanted to include reading books in the hampers as feel very strongly about the importance and benefits of reading to babies from an early age. I had come across FROM YOU TO ME as my little grandson had been gifted ‘Welcome to the world’.

I started to do a bit of research into the brand and loved the books and journals. The books are beautifully illustrated and good quality. There is a great selection of high quality journals to document pregnancy and the first year of a baby’s life which fit well within Roo & Little Boo’s range.

What advice would you give to new parents when choosing baby gifts?

When selecting a baby gift, it's important to choose items that are meaningful, age-appropriate, and practical as well as looking good enough to gift.

Books are fantastic first gifts that encourage early literacy, promote emotional bonding, and encourage a love of reading from an early age. Stories shared repeatedly can create lasting memories, making books cherished keepsakes that grow with the child. Soft toys and comforters offer both security and comfort through their softness and familiar textures. As the baby grows, these items can also encourage a child with imaginative play, making them versatile and lasting gifts.

Sensory swaddles and muslins in black and white or bold colours are not only practical for spills and burps, but they also aid in visual and cognitive development. These dual-purpose items are always appreciated by new parents. Baby clothing and blankets are fun to shop for and always make welcome gifts as baby’s grow so quick. Adding a personal touch, such as the baby’s name embroidered on these items, can turn a simple gift into a treasured keepsake.

If you're looking for a gift that combines all of the above, consider a thoughtfully curated baby hamper. A baby hamper can include a selection of books, toys, swaddles, and personalised items, beautifully presented in one package. This not only saves time but also ensures that your gift is both meaningful and practical. Our baby hampers are designed with care to meet the needs of both babies and parents, making them an ideal choice for any new arrival.

We love working alongside yourself and the team at Roo & Little Boo, what do you like best about our product range? Which is your favourite gift book? 

I adore the whole range the quality is exceptional and the illustrations in the books are delightful. My clients love the ‘Mum To Mum Pass It On’ with lots of useful tips for new mums however, if I had to choose a favourite book it would be ‘Welcome To The World.’

This book fits perfectly into hampers as it captures the essences of celebrating a new life. The delightful elephant illustrations are stunning and the heartfelt message welcoming a new child into the world is just so special.

It’s more than just a book—it’s a keepsake that commemorates one of life’s most precious moments. I’m confident that families will treasure this book for years, as it becomes a beloved story that reminds a child of just how special their arrival was.