Baby Shower Gift Basket Tips and Inspiration

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Roeshel

There’s nothing more precious than a new baby and putting together a collection of sweet baby gifts can be so meaningful for parents-to-be! I love shopping and gathering up gifts to create a beautiful arrangement and I’m all about a pretty presentation. I thought I’d share a few I’ve made this past year to help inspire you if you’re stuck or looking for some examples to go by. Some affiliate links included.

Baby Shower Gift Basket Tips

Tips for personalizing a gift for a new little person makes if feel so special, right? Here are a few tips to help:

Registry – most parents-to-be will share their baby shower registry. Try to choose a few items from their hand selected wish list when possible.
Gender – it’s rare that we don’t know this ahead of time and completely unnecessary but if you do know, it does narrow down options.
Name – even more rare, but if it is known, I love to add something monogrammed – specifically, I love adding a wall art letter or creating a personalized iron on decal.
Theme – a lot of the time, the baby shower invitation will give a hint to the nursery theme or design style … elephants, owls, woodland, boho, Noah’s ark, etc.
Parents’ hobbies, collections, lifestyle. Do they love the outdoors (fishing? hunting?), love their dog(s)?, have a favorite sport’s team?
Your signature piece – for example, I’m all about wellness so I try to include chemical free, natural, organic options when I can.
Diapers & board book – baby showers now will often host a special raffle for bringing one of these items. I always use a pack of Honest newborn diapers in the bottom of the basket to lift the gifts. Either way, diapers are SUPER helpful and adding a favorite children’s story or baby board book to create a library of bedtime stories is one of my favorite things to add.
Gift wrap a few of the items with coordinating wrapping paper. I often use what I have on hand. It doesn’t have to be specific baby shower themed.

Baby Shower Gift Basket Inspiration

Here are 5 baby shower gift baskets I’ve put together to help inspire your next baby shower gift.

Girls:

EMMA

Emma’s mommy’s favorite color is purple and she designed an owl themed nursery. My dear friend waited a long time for this precious miracle and I am so happy for them!

Gifts I selected:

Hoot Board Book
Seedlings Calm essential oil (also check out Feather the Owl diffuser at Young Living)
Gentle Baby essential oil
Ruffled Romper & Headband
Newborn Swaddle Blanket & Beanie
Tulle Tutu and Headband
Milestone Stickers
Owl Teether and Rattle Socks (no longer available)
Purple Owl Squishmallow
Owl Diaper Caddy is no longer available (here’s a neutral owl diaper organizer option).
Organic Cotton Gowns
Floral Romper Bodysuite & Stockings
Lavender Woods Crib Sheet Set (no longer available)
My 1st Halloween Outfit

SOPHIE

– a pink themed collection fit for a princess!

Gifts I chose: {some substitutions pictured)

Gentle Baby Essential Oil
Gentle Babies Book by Debra Rayburn
Pink Bunny Mist Humidifier
The rest of the collection of pink bibs, stuffed unicorn, canvas basket, floral swaddle, pink tutu, headbands, etc. were purchased from TJMaxx

Boys:

TOBIAS & ELIAS

– shopping for twins is so much fun! I didn’t go with completely “identical” but it was fun to put a woodland theme gift collection together for two!

Gifts hand picked by me:

CONNOR

– this little guy’s mom and dad are parents to two German Shepherds. What fun it was to include the ‘fur babies’ too!

Gifts I included:

Baby Wash & Shampoo, Diaper Rash Cream, Baby Lotion from Young Living Seedlings Collection
Diffuser/Cool Mist Humidifier
Baby and Pet Bib Set (black and white)
Baby and Pet Bib Set (gray)
Plaid Flannel Jumpsuit
Plush German Shepherd (decor only)
Hot Dog, Cold Dog Board Book
Diaper Organizer

MARINO

– a blue teddy bear/sweet dreams collection for this precious boy.

Gifts I selected:

What are some of your favorite go-to baby gift ideas?

DIY Chocolate Candy Wedding Party Favor Gifts

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Roeshel

DIY Chocolate Candy Wedding Party Favor Gifts

Isn’t it funny where inspiration comes from? At times, it’s somewhere completely random or even unknown. I’m thinking the inspiration for these DIY chocolate candy wedding party favor gifts may have been handmade soaps or even those beautiful yogurt bowls I’ve seen on Instagram. To be honest, I’m not sure – I’ve done some searching and haven’t stumbled across anything similar.

I made these up as a hostess party gift/favor and got drafted to make up some bridal shower favors. So here’s my DIY tutorial for beautiful chocolate/candy melts. They are so easy! Some affiliate links included.

Supplies I used:

THISsilicone mold
candy melts (light cocoa and bright white shown)
sprinkles <— my favorite!
decorations (icing roses)
zip lock baggies
skewer
Peppermint Vitality essential oil
treat bags
labels (Avery 5260)

Total Time: Approximately 30 min.

Serves: This silicone mold is a large size (3×3 inch). Two bags of melts makes 6.

What I did:

I transferred candy melts to quart sized baggy (I used two: light cocoa and white) and melted according to package instructions – either in the microwave or in a double boiler. My experience: I carefully set both bags (unzipped) into the microwave on ‘defrost’ for 50 seconds then checked and repeated and re-checked until melted. Instructions warn against overheating and I didn’t have any issue.

*Melted candy will be hot. Please use caution!

I set my silicone mold on a small cookie sheet (a tray or something that gives the mold support to be moved and that will fit into your freezer works).

Once my candy was melted, I added 2-4 drops of Peppermint Vitality essential oil to the melted white candy, zipped the bag and kneaded the baggy to mix. I didn’t do it with both colors, just one.

Then I snipped off a bottom corner of the baggy (very small snip!) with scissors and piped the candy into the silicone mold and repeated with the other color. I filled each silicone space with half and half of each candy into each square.

Next I gently shook/shimmied the mold to level the melted candy.

Using the skewer, while candy was still melted, I swirled the colors to create a beautiful unique design where the colors meet.

I am in LOVE with how each square is a unique and one of a kind design! I think this was my favorite step! I started out with just more of a zig zag but then discovered that the more swirly, the better.

Then quickly decorated with icing roses, sprinkles, colored sugar, edible decorations, etc.

I placed the tray/silicone mold in freezer to set the candy. It didn’t seem to take long at all…probably about 15-20 minutes if that. Sometime I let it sit overnight if I got busy.

Then I removed them from freezer and carefully popped the bars out of silicone mold.

I placed them into a bag and secured with a personalized label.

Beautiful! I love that each design is unique, don’t you? They’re so pretty, so professional and designer-looking but so easy to create! I can’t wait to make more!

So.many.photos! lol But I’m just so happy with how pretty they are!

This batch was a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” theme.

I whipped up 60-70 of these for a bridal shower but since you can personalize them with any candy melts (so many colors!) and any deco ratings (so many colors and shapes and ideas!), they’d work for not only bridal showers but for Mother’s Day, baby showers, wedding favors, party favors, hostess and teacher gifts, prizes, etc. I made a few every evening over a couple of weeks’ time. I gave a few out as essential oil infused door prizes and at Easter to my family too. I even had my grandson helping me decorate a few!

Warning – not only are they a beautiful sweet treat, they’re so addicting to create! Here is the very first batch that started my madness (without the swirl technique)…

Need more info on essential oils for dietary use? Read more about why I choose Young Living HERE. xo

DIY aromatherapy heat/cold {rice} packs: Snuggle Bunnies

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Roeshel

Who likes a little extra comfort with some warmth when cold, cooling off when hot and relaxing/calming essential oils to promote a good night’s sleep!? Don’t we all?

Only a few more weeks ’til Easter!

Looking for a (useful and handmade) gift idea? I like to give my nieces and nephews candy-free gifts. Since I’m so in love with essential oils, I think these cute lil’ snuggle bunny heat/cold packs are a nice gift idea. Perfectly soothing. Also a cute idea for essential oil class/party door prizes too.

What I used: (*includes some affiliate links)

fabric – I purchased something similar to this (makes 15 bunnies)

coordinating ribbon
Young Living essential oils {I recommend lavender, Valor, Peace & Calming or Gentle Baby}
extra long grain rice
sample bottles
free downloadable printable bunny pattern (available below)
free downloadable printable usage instructions (available below)
8.5 x 11 in. card stock (1 piece for printing pattern, more pieces for usage instructions)

Tools: printer, scissors, sewing machine/thread, straight pins, screwdriver

What I did:

Iron fabric.

Download and print the bunny pattern on card stock. Cut out pattern.

free printable Snuggle Bunny Pattern download

Trace pattern on wrong side of doubled fabric. Pin fabric pieces together and cut out bunny shape.

Sew all sides (I sewed as close to the raw edge as I could get and capturing both pieces – front/back – of fabric). Leave the bottom open.

Turn right side out (a screwdriver comes in handy for the ears – don’t poke too hard).

Iron. Fold in bottom raw edges and iron.

Fill with rice. You’ll want it to be a bit floppy, not super packed full.

Sew opening shut.

Add a ribbon bow, attach instructions inside a gift card and a sample of soothing/relaxing essential oil (Recommendations: Young Living Peace & Calming, lavender, Valor or Gentle Baby).

Print usage instructions: (download printable)

free download: printable Snuggle Bunny Directions

Cute, handmade hot or cold aromatherapy snuggle bunnies to promote a good night’s rest.

Fun idea: sew on a small pocket, add a felt carrot to tuck inside and add your essential oils to that!

$25 CASH BACK WITH THE PURCHASE OF A PREMIUM STARTER KIT USING THIS REFERRAL LINK: Wellness Inspired Living!

EXPIRES 3/30/20

Ready to take the a step towards creating a healthy home? Wa-hoo! Check out this month’s DIYShowOff Young Living essential promotion here!

Personalized Baby Gift Set

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Roeshel

I love being creative when it comes to baby gifts and personalizing a baby layette set with iron-on vinyl decals is just so easy to do!

Supplies:

Happy Crafters iron-on vinyl
plain baby onesies, hats, t-shirts, bibs, etc.

What I did:

Using my Silhouette studio designer edition software, I created a few fun decals.

For iron-ons, text (and some images) will need to be mirrored/flipped horizontally. Simply right click and choose “flip horizontally”.

Load the vinyl into the machine shiny side down (the shiny side is the transparency side).

Adjust settings for cutting heat transfer material and send to cut. Unload vinyl from the machine. (Note: I do not use a cutting mat as shown below.)

Cut off the excess vinyl/material and weed (remove) the unwanted part of the the vinyl leaving just the decals.

Set iron according to heat instructions provided with vinyl iron on.

Place iron on decal, shiny side facing you (iron on isn’t sticky but the clear transparency is…sticker side down to help hold iron on in place).

Cover with a cotton diaper cloth, burp cloth or towel and heat iron on according to instructions.

Carefully peel away transparency (if iron on pulls up too, re-place and iron some more).

Create an entire personalized baby layette gift set…

*This post is sponsored by Happy Crafters. Tutorial, experience and opinion is my own. Check out all the supplies at Happy Crafters for inspiration for your next project.

DIY Project Parade and Handmade Boutique Baby Collection

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Roeshel

This week, I finally finished this…

My Handmade “Boutique Baby” gift Collection…

Warning:

This is a long post with a couple of tutorials, links and LOTS of pictures!

I finally wrapped up (literally) my handmade baby gifts.

I think I got a little DIY-happy but I really wanted to create a handmade boutique baby collection. Everything was so easy and I just couldn’t stop. 😉 I shared the sweet banner I made a few weeks ago…

Counting Sheep Baby Banner Tutorial

as well as the Super Easy No Sew Tutu Tutorial
(This is the one I made for my niece’s 1st birthday when I took her pictures as her gift but I made one for the gift collection too.)

Here’s what else I tucked inside the gift box:

Baby Legwarmers Tutorial

Materials: A pair of ladies size socks (these ones are from Target – I had a hard time finding the right pink). Scissors and thread/sewing machine (or by hand).

1. Lay out each (ladies)sock and cut just above the heel. Set the “leg” part of the sock aside.

2. Cut the ‘heels’ and ‘toes’ of each off.

3. Fold the ‘foot’ part of the sock in half (underneath) so inside and out shows the right side of the fabric and makes a ‘cuff’.

4. Slide ‘leg’ part into ‘cuff’ all right sides out, lining up the raw edge.

5. Pin 3 layers together evenly, lining up the raw edge.

6. Sew as close to the edge as you can, making sure to capture 3 layers.

7. Trim if necessary and flip up cuff. Cute legwarmer from ladies socks!

Handmade Peony Headband Tutorial

Materials: Plain elastic headband, silk peony and rhinestone. Hot glue.

1. I used a wipes container to stretch headband.

2. Disassem
ble the silk peony. Use wire cutters if necessary.

3. Hot glue layers of the flower onto the elastic headband.

4. Add layers until as full as desired.

5. Hot glue rhinestone into center. Let dry.

Ta-da! Pretty BIG flower headband!

And using these beautiful fabrics (fabric.com) and baby flannel for the backing (reversible bibs, aprons and burp cloths from Joann Fabrics).

Premier Prints Trey Stripe Bella Pink/Cozy
DC-300

Premier Prints Royal Suzani Bella Pink/Cozy
UK-719

Premier Prints Twill Suzani Cozy/Bella Pink
UK-706

Premier Prints Madison Cozy/Bella Pink
DC-298

Premier Prints Dandelion White/Bella Pink
DC-323

Premier Prints Gisella Cozy/Bella Pink
DC-248

I sewed a few baby apron bibs, contoured burp cloths, a bib and some appliqued onesies.

Baby Apron Bibs
(Bapron Tutorial at Craftiness is not an Option)
Aren’t these sweet? Bib/Apron for baby!

Contoured Burp Cloths

(Tutorial at Cloud 9 Fabrics)

Bib

(Tutorial)
(shown middle)

Appliqued Onesies Tutorial

1. Iron interfacing to fabric.

2. Trace shape onto paper side and cut out.

3. Peel away paper and iron onto onesie.

4. Iron applique into place in center of onesie.

Note: I drew on eyes using these!!! Sharpie Fabric Stain Markers!

(another project non-baby related utilizing these coming up!)

5. Stitch into place.

Ta-da!

Or cut shapes from fabric pattern:

argyle onesie tutorial (live a little wilder)
I did my own version using the applique method above and the sewing machine:

Lots of “after” pictures. I’m just so proud that the entire collection is handmade and pretty cute. 🙂

What do you think? I think it makes me want a baby girl! I hope she likes it all and loves pink!

~*~**~*~

Okay. Okay. Now it’s your turn! What have you been doing this weekend?

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DIY Counting Sheep Baby Banner

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Roeshel

It’s rare, but there’s a baby related project in the DIY Show Off house! NO! Not for me! I‘ve been invited to a baby shower and I just love giving handmade baby gifts. (Tara, if by chance you’re reading, please stop right here!) Unfortunately, I can’t make it to the baby shower (my baby girl’s graduation party is the same day) but I have a whole handmade collection planned and here’s the first thing in the gift box:

A sweet baby girl counting sheep banner, inspired by cute bird, butterfly and bunny banners but designed and DIY’d by me with a counting sheep theme.

Not guaranteed to help baby sleep, but it sure is cute.

Materials:

Scrapbook paper (It doesn’t take much. Two 12×12 sheets will work but more if you want more designs.)

2 ribbons (I used almost 1 spool of organza, 1 thin satin)

Baker’s twine (a thin ribbon or twine would work just as well)

Number ink & stamps or stickers #1-10 (or free hand)

Tape

Tools:

Pencil

Scissors

Hole punch

Optional: Xacto knife

Counting Sheep Banner Tutorial

10 steps to 10 sheep

#1 Print a lamb stencil or template from online onto card stock and cut out. (Optional: you could also use your Cricut or Silhouette to make die cuts.)

#2 Trace onto scrapbook paper and cut out sheep shapes. I used an Xacto knife and alternated the direction (flip the sheep stencil) so my sheep were facing each other in sets of two {><} rather than all facing left {<<} or right {>>} or back side to backside {< >}. Trace and cut out 10 sheep. I used pretty paper in pinks for baby girl (to coordinate with other handmade items planned).

#3 Punch 2 holes beside each other near the top of each sheep. Near the top keeps sheep from twirling on the string. I tested punching holes in different areas. Near the top works best. (Optional: reinforce with eyelets. I also punched holes for eyes…animals without eyes make me sad. You could draw on closed/sleepy eyes too.)

#4 Number the sheep 1-10 using rubber stamps, stickers or draw on with markers.

#5 Cut 11 five inch pieces (eyeball it…no need to measure) of pink ribbon and 22 five inch pieces of organza (or do your own ribbon combo/thing). This is tied between each sheep.

#6 Pull a length of baker’s twine. Tape off the end (it keeps the twine from fraying and makes threading easier).

#7 Add sheep. Thread from back to front in one hole. Then front to back in punched hole right beside it. Repeat for all 10 sheep.

#8 Space out evenly. I left about 10 inches of twine on each end for hanging. Cut and tie a loop on the ends of the twine (loose knots to allow resizing the loop for bigger hanging on drawer knobs, smaller loop for thumb tacks or safety pins).

#9 In between each sheep, I took 2 pieces of organza with 1 piece of satin ribbon and tied a knot. (Shabby Chic option: use frayed pretty coordinating fabric pieces or strips of tulle.)

#10 Space evenly again (leave them semi-moveable to accommodate different areas in the gift recipient’s home or tape twine on back to keep in place). Ready to hang!

Isn’t it so cute? I want one for me and I don’t even have a nursery. I love pretty decorative banners and ‘counting sheep’ is perfect for a nursery!

Hang it across drapery
Tie on dresser pulls
Use as wall art
Cute learning to count tool
Baby shower decor.

Lots of options. Now lots of pictures:

I hope she likes it. 🙂

What have you been doing this weekend?

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1.You must use the button above (ADD BUTTON HTML CODE FROM SIDE BAR TO YOUR POST) and link to this post to share the linky love.

3.Or email your link to thediyshowoff@gmail.com and I will add it for you.

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Category Archives: Baby Shower

Baby Shower Gift Basket Tips and Inspiration

Baby Shower Gift Basket Tips

Baby Shower Gift Basket Inspiration

Girls:

Boys:

DIY Chocolate Candy Wedding Party Favor Gifts

DIY Chocolate Candy Wedding Party Favor Gifts

Supplies I used:

Total Time: Approximately 30 min.

Serves: This silicone mold is a large size (3×3 inch). Two bags of melts makes 6.

What I did:

DIY aromatherapy heat/cold {rice} packs: Snuggle Bunnies

Personalized Baby Gift Set

DIY Project Parade and Handmade Boutique Baby Collection

DIY Counting Sheep Baby Banner