How to Create a Gift Basket for a New Mother

After a baby is born, people often forget to buy gifts for the new mother. They just concentrate on items for the baby. You can easily create a gift basket for a new mother by filling it with useful items that she will greatly appreciate.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gift Ribbons
• Tissue Paper
• Button-down Nightgowns
• Greeting Cards
• Baskets
• Gift Bags
• Gift Baskets
• Gift Bows
• Mini Photo Albums
• Wrapping Paper
• Coffee Mugs
• Gift Certificates
• Baskets
• Tissue paper

Choosing the Gifts and Basket

1. 

   Buy foot-massaging slippers. She will be on her feet a lot in the immediate future.

2. 

   Choose a nightgown or blouse with buttons down the front if she's breast-feeding.

3. Buy a T-shirt that has a positive message about motherhood. She will use it gladly as an occasional change from button-down blouses.

4. Buy an extra-large mug with a special message for mothers.

5. 

   Give a small "Mom's Brag Book" photo album that she can carry in her handbag.

6. Cook her favorite meal at your home and put it in her freezer. In the gift basket, put a card that says, "Look in the freezer." A few days later, when the baby has been up all night, it will be a perfect gift.

7. Pick a basket style. Your choices include those with one handle, with two side handles or without handles. Make certain the basket is large enough to hold the gifts you have selected.

8. 

   Decide on the color of the basket by choosing one that complements the mother's home decor. If in doubt, choose a neutral color by selecting a natural wicker basket.

9. 

   Use shredded paper filling to make the gifts fit snugly in the basket.

10. Choose a mushy greeting card for a new mother. She will treasure it.

Packing the Basket

11. Wrap each present with a colorful gift wrap.

12. Put a layer of shredded paper filling on the bottom of the basket.

13. Place the wrapped gifts vertically or horizontally in the basket, as space allows, pushing the filling between gifts to ensure a very snug fit. Cover some of the gifts completely with the filling to create mini surprises when the basket is unpacked.

14. Place the basket in the center of a large piece of clear or tinted cellophane gift wrap. You may need two pieces of the wrap to completely cover a large basket.

15. Bring all sides of the wrap to a few inches above the top of the basket. Secure the wrap by tying it with a long, colorful ribbon.

16. Tape your greeting card onto the wrap.

on 11/22/2005 Creating a little gift basket for the new "big" brother/sister can put a smile on their face when the new baby is getting all the attention. Add little things like books they can read to the baby or a special rattle they can use to make the baby smile. Gifts should depend upon the age of the sibling.

on 11/22/2005 I used shrink wrap for a basket and it worked out great! As long as nothing in the basket can melt, like candy.