Gifts for April showers: Built for speed

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It’s raining brides and babies! In celebration of all those April showers that seem to be taking our calendars by storm, we’ve rounded up some gift ideas to give now, or stock up on for events all spring long.

Some lessons are best learned young, such as counting every penny — and then dreaming big about spending that future fortune! The minimalist design of this cubed natural oak bank hints at the no-frills lifestyle that just might be required in those early years to climb to that coveted spot on the Forbes “rich list.” Cleverly alluding to a pig’s coiled tail, the “wish clip” doubles as a lock-and-key mechanism, and you can customize the note with a dream that fits your giftee. Piggy Bank Fritz is handmade in Germany by Side By Side, a collaboration between designers and workshops for the disabled. ($68 at www.plasticashop.com).

And while the little one may aspire to a Ferrari, if he or she is destined to be built for speed, we highly suggest this California-made Road Hog Tricycle ($305) by Airflow Collectibles as a starter vehicle— guaranteed to take the neighborhood by storm. We’re obsessed with its retro 1936-inspired style in powder-coated chrome and the pimped-out, Harley-style details. Don’t they make these for grown-ups?

If baby’s style is more refined, roll with Airflow’s sleek Pink Speedster pedal car ($399). We hear that baby shower organizers are filling them with gifts to double as decoration. One item we’d certainly slip inside is a pair of those luxe mini TOD’s driving mocs we featured earlier!

-- Ingrid Schmidt

Photos, from top: Piggy Bank Fritz / Side by Side.

Road Hog Tricycle and Pink Speedster / Airflow.

Coming Thursday: Picture perfect