by Jennifer Powers

Created on: March 02, 2009   Last Updated: June 16, 2009

Until you are the one having a baby shower thrown for, it is hard to comprehend that while little baby outfits are adorable, it is usually not what an expectant mother needs. After attending dozens of baby showers, you begin to see a pattern that new mothers seem to receive not even half of what was put on their baby registry. When asked why a person buys something not on the gift registry, the main reason is because they wanted to get a unique, "cutesy" gift. After all, how do you make giving Desitin cute?

The best way to give mothers what they really need is to put a little creativity and create a gift basket of baby registry items. First, you need to figure out how you are putting together a basket. You can go to the Dollar Store or Party Depot and pick up a wicker basket to stuff. A more creative approach is to get a storage bin with wheels in either pink or blue. This is great because it doubles as a toy chest and is a toy of itself because kids love to push it around on its wheels.

One of the best gift basket is a Diaper Gift Basket. So many people spend lots of money to purchase a diaper cake, but this is essentially very easy to make. You can make a diaper gift basket, wreath, or cake of your own. Putting your personal time into the creation is part of the gift and it gives the giftgiver full control over what products to put on the gift. Some mothers end up using the wreath as a decoration for the baby room, so this is a gift that continues to serve a purpose.

What to include in gift baskets is really dependent on the necessities of the mother. It's best to stick with a theme. For example, a Bath Theme can contain anywhere from hooded towels and washcloths to baby wash, shampoo, and lotion. This is a great gift for those on a budget because buying smaller individual items, such as Q-tips and cotton balls, fill up a basket and is a necessity for the expectant Mother. If you want to throw in a bigger ticket item, such as a hodded towel, you can stuff the towel full of goodies. Don't forget the cute rubber ducky and other bath toys!

Then there are gift baskets that are ideal for those who insist on giving adorable outfits, and is a fun gift basket to create. Use soft plush blankets as "tissue wrapping paper" to give it the look of a bagged present, and cushion the bottom with thermal blankets. Then place the other gifts in between the "blanket wrapping paper." This ensures the mother gets blankets off the registry and still lets you give her outfits at the same time. Know that sleepers in multiple sizes are the most practical, and you could give one of each size up until six months. After all, how many adorable Newborn outfits can one baby wear? Finally at the top of the basket, place a Soothing Womb Bear and a pack of Soothies so baby and Mom are ready for a good nights' sleep.

The thing to keep in mind is to stick with a theme and create around that. Be creative and do not be afraid to try something new. Using blankets as wrapping paper was a creative touch, and it's funny to see other people borrow your creativity at future baby showers. Think back to gifts you received as an expectant mother, and then think back to gifts you took to a shower. Nine out of ten women say they received too many clothes at a baby shower, yet answer that they took clothes as a gift to an expectant mother's shower. While already-made baskets are easy, it's always great to receive a gift that took time and thought. Those are the gifts that are special and remembered for a long time.

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