Baby Gift Baskets: Not Just For Baby Showers

Baby Gift Baskets: Not Just For Baby Showers

When we think of a baby gift basket being presented, we think of the baby shower. Certainly the baby shower is one of the first gift-giving opportunities for the new parents, but baby gift baskets can be given and are more than appropriate for the many other gift giving occasions that are in store for the new little one.

Just to make it comprehensive, let’s start with the baby shower. Most of the time, this is a first child for the couple and they need practically everything. The expense of a new baby after it arrives can be daunting, especially if the parents need to add items such as baby formula, baby food and diapers to their weekly shopping list. Along with all of the weekly supplies, there are regular doctor visits that need to be afforded and other incidentals that the baby will need. The baby shower is a perfect opportunity to help lessen the burden financially so the parents can concentrate on enjoying every minute with their precious new bundle of joy.

Use the baby shower to give a baby gift basket of items that they will definitely need. Sure, it may be more fun to buy that 6 foot tall giant stuffed panda bear, but what are they going to use it for? More than likely, it will become a new sleeping place for the family pet. The baby shower is an opportunity to ease the overwhelming sense of responsibility and stress that the parents may be beginning to feel as the day of their baby’s arrival looms closer and closer.

Gift baskets, such as traditional layettes or an assortment of one-piece undershirts or even a crafty display of diapers will be most appreciated. If you are especially talented, present the new parents to be with an array of hand made baby items. Hand sewn baby quilts, crocheted or knitted booties and receiving blankets and little toys are not only practical, but because they are hand made, they could become family heirlooms that get passed down to grandchildren. If it is appropriate, this is also a wonderful opportunity to give a hand made baptismal or christening set of a gown, booties, cap and blanket.

Just because the baby shower has passed doesn’t mean that the opportunities for giving baby gift baskets has passed with it. Once the baby arrives is a wonderful excuse to come bearing a gift. Now that the baby’s gender is known, if it wasn’t before, and he or she has a name and is becoming his or her own personality makes putting together a gift even more fun. Now is the time when you can personalize your gift giving and your gift basket can reflect the new child that is actually here.

Now that the baby has arrived, there are still plenty of times that a gift basket can say just the right thing. If the baby is going to be christened, that could be a wonderful time for a small gift basket of Bible story board books, religious jewelry or keepsakes. You could also include a small photo album for the parents to put all of the photographs from the day.

Still the opportunities to give baby gift baskets are upcoming. Throughout the coming year, the baby will be experiencing all kinds of firsts. Every holiday that arrives will be a magical one for the new family. It is always joyful when you can share in these marvelous times with them.

Imagine the possibilities of creating a gift basket for baby’s first Christmas. You could include items such as a tree ornament that represents something that is special to the baby. Or a small nativity set or a Santa’s village that is made of larger soft-sided components. If the baby’s first Christmas is a few months after their birth, this would then be a good time to purchase warmer sleepers for them in their larger size. If the baby is eating solid food now, a gift basket of baby foods, cereals, snacks and formula would really help the parents out especially at this Christmas time. This could also be the perfect opportunity to begin the baby’s movie collection by starting with some of the Christmas classics like Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Another big holiday for the new baby is Easter time. What a more perfect opportunity to give a gift basket than at Easter. Depending on the child’s age when he or she celebrates their first Easter, you could give appropriate snacks, toys or stuffed animals. This may also be a good time to buy a new spring outfit for them or new shoes. Don’t limit your imagination. Find a beautiful Easter basket that the child could use every year and fill it with everything you can imagine a child of that age appreciating.

Two other holidays that you may not necessarily consider giving a gift basket on are Halloween and Independence Day. These are two holidays where you could really come up with a gift basket that is very unique and special. Again, always shop for items with the baby’s current age in mind and have fun. For Halloween, you could include a small costume or stuffed animal. And of course, don’t forget to add some “treats” that the baby could enjoy. Pop them all in a plastic pumpkin bucket and you are all set. Independence Day gift baskets for the baby could include red, white and blue toys and stuffed animals and some safe celebration toys that do not have any small parts on them like a kazoo or small drum or trumpet. If the child is old enough, he or she will love to add their own noise to the celebration.

And finally, we come to the day of celebration that is all their own, their first birthday. By this time, many babies are crawling and some are even walking. A gift basket at this time could include a small scooter and walker combination that allows the child to push the vehicle or ride it. Many of these are in the shape of small cars, bikes, trains and trucks and have a compartment on them that opens up. Fill this compartment with other items that a one year old would love.

Little ones love to push items like small cars and many are just beginning to experiment with crayons and scribbling. You can find special markers and pad sets that only write if the special marker is used on the special paper. The parents will especially appreciate the thoughtfulness.

Another great gift is a child-safe soft padded plastic mini photo book. These albums usually hold about eight photographs and are equipped with a handle so the toddler can carry it around. Inside it holds pictures of the people who are special to baby, so he or she can open it up any time and see the faces of those they love. This is a wonderful gift especially if the baby has grandparents that live too far away to visit on a regular basis.

As you can see, the life of a new baby is basically one gift-giving experience after another. Use as many opportunities as you can to give the little one a unique gift basket and fill the child’s first year with lots of mementos and small presents. After all of this, if you weren’t a member of the family already, you will be now.

Watch the video related to baby gift

Step by step video shows how to make a baby sock rose bud from baby socks. A creative way to decorate diaper wreaths, diaper cakes and baby gifts. Make a unique baby shower gift bouquet.

Help answer the question about baby gift

Is a gender neutral baby gift appropriate as a Christmas gift for a couple expecting their third child?
My boyfriend's friend and his wife are expecting their third child. They already have two boys ages three and one. I thought since they are being so kind to let me stay with them and my boyfriend for three weeks, I'd get them something for Christmas.

I don't know the gender of the baby, so would a gender neutral baby gift be appropriate for their Christmas gift?
I have no idea what that will be. Suggestions are appreciated!

About Author


Jacoba Fenny offers a complete line gift baskets and baby gift baskets for every occasion at http://www.onesourcegiftbaskets.com.

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18 Responses to “Baby Gift Baskets: Not Just For Baby Showers”

  1. Comment by daniiidee2010

    Haha I loved the last part!
    “It’s not my fault that my parents own the worlds largest collection of black santas!!”
    Paper Towns was/is amazing!!
    Go John Green!
    And go nerdfighters XD

    Great Video by the way, this is hilarious :D

  2. Comment by chandelierassaultt

    I love thiss.
    fiveawesomegirls, 5awesomegays, and whataboutadam!?

    amazing<3

  3. Comment by ISnoggedSeverusSnape

    it looks like hes drinking the “You know what”

  4. Comment by Tჩe Iռƒaოouა Յuռռუ ╭♥ メリー・クリスマス

    Of course! I'd be terrible to give them something feminine when it turns out to be a boy!

    Oh, I guess you mean to get them "a baby gift?" :) Yes, I'm sure the parents would love it. What woman DOESN'T like getting baby things(especially a pregnant woman)? Plus, I'm sure it will be very useful to them as well.

    I'd be interested to know what you were getting them(not that it matters too much I guess).

    ETA: clothes, bottles, pacifiers, blankets, booties, rattles, teddy bears, bibs, new born mittens, onesies(sp?), etc. What all I suggested in my other answer. I wasn't sure if you knew what a diaper cake was. I didn't ever see one myself until about a year ago. It's a shame you couldn't bring that.

    Or, you could get something little for the 2 little kids? Something distinctly American and/or of the state you're living in. Maybe a Christmas ornament – "for the ….. Family" or "Merry Christmas from Montana" or wherever it is you're from. Just an idea…

  5. Comment by flutteringflyz

    You are not obligated under general rules of etiquette to get the mother-to-be a gift unless you are attending the shower. I would not worry about offending her, especially given the formal relationship between the two of you. If you were close friends with the mother then a gift would be expected. What you might want to do is just to send a card as a compliment and thank you for the invitation.

  6. Comment by satuesday

    “You know what” isn’t THAT color.

  7. Comment by thejanith

    ~well to me, a baby is a baby, muslim or otherwise. When I hear a friend is pregnant, I start a gift bag. I buy a nice baby gift bag that can be for a boy or a girl and start buying little things each week to put in it. Diapers (of course) bottles, baby nail clippers, bottle brushes, pacifiers, bibs, onesies, clothes, whatever! and since I am buying little things every week, it does not cost much. By the time the baby is here, there is a wonderful bag full of goodies for my friend. I think this is appropriate for any baby. If you dont want to do this, a gift card would be good, then they can pick out what they want~

  8. Comment by ankieeeah

    can i babysit then?

  9. Comment by LightCammraSmile

    its funny how modst of the people dont know what “you know what” is…

  10. Comment by welcometoloserland

    paper towns…great book.
    heh heh heh, black santas…

  11. Comment by LittlePinkMoose

    You don't have to send any gift, let alone immediately after the birth.

    Find that perfect gift, and then send it without any guilt.

  12. Comment by QueerRainbow

    you girlz are awesome

  13. Comment by Bluegirl285

    Here you go:

    http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1255
    http://www.iloveindia.com/homemade-crafts/baby-clothing-bouquet.html

  14. Comment by gir'frind08

    If money is tight, I would get baby clothes for her. Get some for several ages up to one year. And they don't have to be fancy. The packages of Gerber gowns or plain onesies are perfect.

    You can also find out what brand of diapers she uses and get her a large package of them.

    New parents never seem to have enough baby clothes or diapers!

  15. Comment by Tჩe Iռƒaოouა Յuռռუ ╭♥ メリー・クリスマス

    do a nuetral baby book , thats what i did……….

  16. Comment by lisaclara

    They make stuffed animals called autograph animals. I got one at a party and card store in my local town. It was a ducky made of a pleather type material. So I had everyone at my shower sign it so I could give it to my daughter when she was older. You could use any stuffed animal made out of a fabric like that.

  17. Comment by miceylulu

    This…is…freaking amazing.

  18. Comment by MrsMike

    The Ocean Wonders Aquarium for the side of the crib and the Oceans Wonder bouncy seat by Fisher-Price. I can't begin to tell you how great these gifts were. My son is 3 and still turns on the aquarium to help himself fall asleep. If he could fit in the bouncy seat he would still be sitting in that too. In fact I'm going to a baby shower tomorrow and these were on her list so I got them for her. My sister-in-law and a friend have them also. The sounds and music are so soothing it would even help me fall asleep. My son was colicky and the bouncy seat also vibrates which I think helped him a lot or should I say helped me a lot. Congratulations and God Bless

    I just got back from the baby shower and there were a few other mothers there that also have and love these products. Even if this is not what you choose to get them advise your son and his wife to get them or if someone else is wondering what to get for them suggest these.