Creating Baby Hampers - Baby Shower Gifts

Creating baby hampers for your friends or relatives who are about to have a child is a delightful experience and an occasion for celebration. You can decide exactly on what items you want to put into the hamper and make all the decisions regarding presentation, colors and the overall direction and appearance in which the hamper is to go.

First decision

The initial decision to be made is what is the baby hamper to be made from? Wicker storage baskets are made from natural materials and they are the traditional choice because they are so useful and they can be used for storage of toys or other items throughout the child’s life.

Containers

Perhaps a recycled cardboard container so as to tread lightly on the world’s resources would be another idea. Plastic boxes that can later be used as storage chests for toys are another alternative. One lovely hamper that I have made personally for a close friend, is a large quilted bag with a waterproof lining that can open out into a changing mat for the new baby but that can also carry all the paraphernalia that goes with taking baby out for the day.

Lining your baby hamper

Once the decision on the type of container has been made then it is important to consider how you are going to present the hamper. It is your decision whether or not to line your container but it does present an attractive backdrop for your baby gifts and gifts for mum. Some people prefer to use bright colours either primaries or secondary’s for a fabric lining, others prefer the more muted tones of pastel colours and yet another option is to go for prints in an attractive range of colours and designs. Do you go for baby prints or contemporary design? The choice is yours.

How much to spend

The question of how much to spend on your present is one that only you can answer. The sky’s the limit with the amount of gear that is produced for a baby these days and indeed, everything that you need for baby. It is important that you set yourself a budget and try not to go beyond it. Everything adds up and before you know it you could have spent far more than you can afford. Concentrate either on a few basics or, alternatively, a few luxury items. You could actually concentrate on producing luxury hampers for your friends including in them some unusual baby gifts. If you don’t have much money then it is up to you how you spend it, but make some gift vouchers of your own that offer babysitting services or a massage for mum, an hour of house cleaning or help with shopping, taking the dog for a walk or cooking a meal. Time is the most precious thing for the new mom and anything you can do to give her that time will be greatly valued.

Bath toys and soft toys are always appreciated, last far into childhood and beyond and are often treasured items for their own children in the future. Likewise, books of the heavy card variety or waterproof ones for the bath are a great addition to the hamper and do not have to cost a fortune. Add your own hand written baby book, share tips on bringing up baby and solutions to sleepless nights, home remedies and any other useful ideas that you may have.

Enjoy making baby hampers, it’s a fun, creative thing to do and will bring huge pleasure to the recipient.