Consider first, the gender of the child, as that will determine the traditional colors to decorate the gift basket in. For a boy, traditionally go with light blues, girls, pinks and purples, and there are gender neutral colors like light yellows and such.

Once you have selected the color of the basket, it is time to fill it. Lay down some sort of foundation in the basket like artificial grass or scrunched up colored paper. This will ensure things aren’t moving around in the basket and have the possibility of breaking.

Now to fill the basket with goodies. You will want to start by putting in a childrens picture book. This is fun for the child as well as for the parent as the two can engage in reading, one reading, one being read to. Next, the parents may be exhausted having a newborn in the house. Consider putting a package of diapers for backup in case the parent runs out and doesn’t have time to get to the store. Throw in a pacifier specific to the baby’s gender. Add a plush toy or stuffed animal for the baby to have in its crib.

Another touching gift to add would be pictures in a form of a scrapbook or photo album of the baby’s first days in the hospital or in the arms of its loved ones when it first arrived. Maybe throw in some personalized coupons for free babysitting to relieve the parents of some responsibility.

Next, add in a tiny blanket, it can be personalized with the baby’s name and birthdate. Finally, add a gift card to help the parent in this exciting time. Depending on how well you know the parent determines the price and store. If it’s a friend, somewhere between $25-50 to a store like Baby Gap is appropriate.

Now, get some cellophane and place it below the basket and pull it up to the top of the handle of the basket and tie it wrapping it. This allow the gifts to be securely in the basket and it gives a window into what’s inside. Add a card to the top where you tied the basket and it’s ready to be delivered. Now that you have completed the gift basket, choosing appropriate colors for the gender, placing in items fun and helpful for not only the baby but the parents as well, and wrapping it, it is time to deliver. You can do this as a congratulations for the parents after the baby is born, or rather, at a baby shower. If you do it at a baby shower some items will have to be changed or colors guessed upon as you may not know the gender, name, or due date’s.

In any case, this is a great way to give a little bit of everything to a newborn and new parents. One gift full of many little gifts that will be greatly appreciated. Consider a gift basket the next time you have a friend or family member who is expecting.

Here are some tips to make it yourself. Go to your local dollar store, and buy some lotions, creams, soaps, sponges, and a candle or two. Most dollar stores even sell baskets, so you just might be able to buy your basket there, and some clear wrap for baskets. Don’t forget the ribbon and bow, and a little bit of tissue paper. Line the bottom of the basket with some colorful tissue paper, and then neatly put your goodies in the basket.

You can always use your computer to make a personalized gift card for the special one that is going to be getting this awesome gift basket. Get out your clear plastic basket wrap, lay it flat on the floor, and sit your basket on top of it, then just simply pull the plastic over the basket, give it a twist at the top, tie it with the ribbon, you can take a pair of scissors and use them to curl the ribbon up some, you just simply take one sides and press it against the ribbon that is hanging, start from the top and slide them down, this will make the part of the ribbon that is hanging curly and pretty.

Then just stick your bow where the knot was tied with the ribbon, and you have an affordable and adorable bed and bath gift basket. The lady that you have chosen to give this amazing self made bed and bath gift basket too will be one lucky lady.