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.
About The Author: Jacoba Fenny offers a complete line gift
baskets and baby gift baskets for every occasion at
http://www.onesourc
