How to Make a Baby Shower Gift Basket

Baby showers can be a lot of fun, but they can also put you into a quandary about what kind of gift to take. Everyone ends up settling for either bags of diapers or blankets and sleepers. The next time you're invited to a baby shower, why not think outside the normal purchases and go for something a little different? Put a baby shower gift basket together, filled with various baby necessities that some people don't think of. A bag of diapers is just a bag of diapers, but your gift basket can hold all kinds of interesting and necessary items for both mom and baby.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wicker basket (size is your choice)
• Assorted baby items (your choices)
• Assorted mom items (your choices)
• Stuffed animal or doll
• Parchment paper
• Ribbon

How To Make A Baby Shower Gift Basket

1. Buy a wicker basket. The size will depend on how elaborate you plan to make your gift. It can be a small basket to be filled with a few things, such as for an acquaintance or co-worker, or it can be a huge basket filled with half of the store for a relative or close friend. Just remember that you want to put lots of "odds and ends" items in the basket and some might be very small. Select a basket that can be put to use by the new mommy after the goodies are removed. The basket can be put in the baby's room to hold diaper necessities, blankets or bathing items.

2. Collect all of the treasures that you want to fill the basket with. Don't think in terms of traditional baby gifts, such as diapers, clothes and blankets, as your only items. Buy a small bag of diapers and one small blanket. Now think in terms of all of the little necessities babies need. Small items such as bottle brushes, pacifiers, lotions, brush and comb, extra nipples, diaper ointment and digital thermometers are often overlooked when the new parents stock up for the baby.

3. Don't forget to include the new mom. Consider tucking in a cup that says "Mom" on it. Put a couple of herbal tea bags inside the cup, for mom to enjoy. Roll up a copy of a parenting tips magazine and tie it with a ribbon to place in the basket. If you know the mother's favorite author, pick up a copy of the newest book and put it in the basket as well. You might also consider putting in a CD of mom's favorite music.

4. Use a pretty piece of parchment paper and make the new mom a gift certificate. Offer her an afternoon of babysitting while she takes a much needed nap, or an invitation to lunch as soon as she is ready to leave the new baby. Use your imagination to either amuse mom or show her that you are a caring friend or relative.

5. Set the doll or stuffed animal in the middle of the basket. Take the diapers out of their packaging and arrange them into a fan design behind the doll or stuffed animal. Distribute all of your other goodies around the basket however you like. Add ribbons and bows. Sit back and watch the new mom's delight in your most unusual and thoughtful gift.

Tips & Warnings

• Dollar stores offer many useful and inexpensive baby items.