Baby Shower Gift Basket Tips and Inspiration

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. 

diyshowoff baby shower gift basket tips and inspiration

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! 

purple owl baby girl gift basket

Gifts I selected: 

purple baby gift ideas

SOPHIE

– a pink themed collection fit for a princess!

pink princess baby girl gift basket

Gifts I chose: {some substitutions pictured)

pink baby gift basket tips inspiration

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! 

woodland theme baby shower gift basket deer boy baby shower gift basket

Gifts hand picked by me: 

woodland baby shower gift basket tips inspiration diyshowoff

CONNOR

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

german shepherd baby gift basket

Gifts I included:

dog baby gift basket tips inspiration

MARINO

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

baby boy young living seedlings blue bear gift basketyoung living seedlings

Gifts I selected: 

baby boy gift basket inspiration tips

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

12 Days of Christmas Essential Oil Infused Bath Soak Ornament Gifts

Every time of the year is a good time to share essential oils and Christmas is the perfect time to whip up your own DIY homemade gifts. 

12 Days of Christmas

essential oil infused bath soak ornament gifts

DIY essential oil infused bath soak Christmas ornament gift tutorial @diyshowoff

Supplies: (some affiliate links included)

  • epsom salt
  • your choice of essential oils (I only recommend Young Living brand)
  • 12 mini fillable glass ornaments (only use glass ornaments when using citrus essential oils)
  • small decorative Christmas tree
  • battery operated lights
  • ribbon and twine
  • Sharpie
  • mason jar
  • funnel (paper cones work well because you can snip the point to fit into the small ornament opening)

Instructions:

DIY essential oil infused bath soak Christmas ornament gift tutorial @diyshowoff

1. Add 2 level (or just under level) tablespoons of epsom salt to a mason jar.

2. Add 1-3 drops of essential oil. 

3. Screw on lid and shake, shake, shake it up!

4. Remove top from glass ornament. Using the funnel, transfer contents of mason jar to glass ornament. You’ll have to tap. I recommend holding the ornament/funnel over the mason jar. 

5. Attach ornament lid and embellish with ribbon.

6. Label ornaments using a Sharpie.

7. Tie ornament onto tree with a piece of twine.

*Repeat steps 1-6 for each essential oil. You may want to wash/rinse/dry mason jar between each use when creating a different batch. 

DIY essential oil infused bath soak Christmas ornament gift tutorial @diyshowoff

Gift giving ideas:

1 – Give the entire 12 days of essential oil infused Christmas tree to a busy friend who could use some quiet ‘me’ time. Yes…it’s perfectly acceptable to keep it for yourself! Display the tree on the bathroom counter! The battery operated lights provide just the perfect glow for a relaxing bath soak. Set the mood with soothing holiday music. 

2 – Or display the tree at your next holiday essential oil 101 class or holiday party. Bam! Instant guest favors, gifts or prizes.

DIY essential oil infused bath soak Christmas ornament gift tutorial @diyshowoff DIY essential oil infused bath soak Christmas ornament gift tutorial @diyshowoff DIY essential oil infused bath soak Christmas ornament gift tutorial @diyshowoff

3 – They make cute gift-toppers/accessories too!

Creative Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas by 10 bloggers @diyshowoff

A special gift just for YOU! Embrace wellness this season, prepare for winter! Get a the DIYSHOWOFF HOLIDAY BUNDLE (free gifts!) when you purchase a Young Living Premium Starter Kit using member #1836762 at youngliving.com. Why? Everyone I know who has taken that step to get started has no regrets and turns from skeptic to believer! Let’s get these drops of oil into your home! 

See more fun holiday essential oil gift ideas from these sweet blog friends: 

DIY essential oil Gift ideas @diyshowoff

Check out these other great DIY gift ideas using essential oils!

Young Living essential oils are so loved and so amazing that they’re sponsoring my blog! Thank you, friends! What a blessing! Interested in joining me? Once you experience essential oils, you’ll not only be embracing wellness (we feel better than ever with this lifestyle change!), you’ll make new friends, be a part of an awesome team and have tons of support/resources so you aren’t left clueless. You’ll also learn of the generous business opportunity that has the potential to create financial freedom if you want it, but no obligation! I’d love for you to join us! You can enroll by clicking here or contact me to learn more. So excited to hear from you!

Young Living at diyshowoff.com

Essential Oil Gift Basket Ideas Blog Hop

Gift giving can be a challenge sometimes, right? I love coming up with creative ways to give gifts. So I’ve gathered a few of my essential oil loving blog friends to create and share essential oil gift basket ideas. Follow the blog hop below for lots of essential oil gift ideas!

Essential Oils Gift Basket Ideas Blog Hop

I recently created and donated two gift baskets for a local humane society fundraiser. Both work for many different occasions:  “cheer up”, “feel better”, “thinking of you”, “Happy Birthday”, “Happy Mother’s Day”, etc. {some affiliate links below}

When Life Gives You Lemons….

essential oils gift basket @diyshowoff

printable gift tag:

(right click, save to your desktop, upload into a document, resize to fit your needs and print)

essential oils gift basket @diyshowoff

Materials and gifts I put together:

essential oils gift basket @diyshowoff

Stop & Smell the Lavender

essential oils gift basket @diyshowoff

printable gift tag:

(right click, save to your desktop, upload into a document, resize to fit your needs and print)

essential oils gift basket @diyshowoff

Materials and gifts: 

Add a DIY lavender linen spray.

lavender pillow and linen spray @diyshowoff #oilyfamilies

lavender linen spray recipe

essential oils gift basket @diyshowoff

*Most of my supplies were purchased at Michael’s Craft Store. Here’s a few more ideas:

citrus essential oils gift basket

Young Living Citrus Essential Oils gift idea @diyshowoff

holiday cheer gift basket

 

baby it's cold outside holiday gift set idea @diyshowoff

Get your premium starter kit + free gifts directly from me HERE! Give the gift of wellness to yourself and your family!

Young Living Essential Oils @diyshowoff

Learn more!

More essential oil gift basket ideas from these sweet blog friends: Essential Oils Gift Basket Blog Hop

 

Essential Oils Gift Basket Ideas Blog Hop

Essential Oil Lotion Hearts

It’s the second month of the Embracing Wellness Series and giveaway – several blog friends sharing their favorite Young Living essential oils and hosting an awesome giveaway as our way of wanting to help spread the oily love. Woo hoo! More details below. *This post contains some affiliate links of what I purchased on Amazon, enough supplies for several different DIY/handmade recipes.

These essential oil lotion hearts are not only a great gift idea, they’re super handy for dry skin. Winter and extra-handwashing have made my hands super dry. I love having these on display/ready to grab near the soap on our bathroom sinks and in my purse for a quick grab. Not to mention a cute gift, great {essential oil} business incentive or prize at essential oil classes/events. 

DIY essential oils lotion bars @diyshowoff

Ingredients I used:

DIY essential oils lotion bars @diyshowoff

*I chose Valor for the one I keep in my purse. I like the benefits for easing occasional feelings of anxiety on top of soothing dry skin on the go. I also like Joy, Peace & Calming, Lavender and Sacred Mountain. One of the bonuses to DIY! YOU choose the essential oil you prefer. 

Valor: Valor® is an empowering combination of therapeutic-grade essential oils that works with both the physical and spiritual aspects of the body to increase feelings of strength, courage, and self-esteem in the face of adversity. Renowned for its strengthening qualities, Valor enhances an individual’s internal resources. It has also been found to help energy alignment in the body.

Young Living Essential Oils @diyshowoff Member #1836762 #youngliving #essentialoils

What I did: 

I simply added the shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil into a double boiler (I bought this double boiler) and melted it together over medium-high heat.

DIY essential oils lotion bars @diyshowoff

Once completely melted and blended, remove from heat and mix in essential oil. You’ll need to move through the next step rather quickly (but you can always reheat to liquify if needed). 

I poured my mixture into a glass measuring cup to make pouring the mixture into silicone heart molds easier. 

DIY essential oils lotion bars @diyshowoff

I let them cool. It doesn’t take long. I waited a few hours just to be sure they were completely cool and formed. 

DIY essential oils lotion bars @diyshowoff

Then I removed the hearts from the silicone mold. They pop out easily! Wrap for gifts or display in small labeled dish on the bathroom sink.

DIY essential oil lotion bars recipe @diyshowoff 

Let’s get YOU started! Join the Oily Families team by simply visit Young Living HERE (using member#1836762 as sponsor & enroller), choose the wholesale membership to save 24% (no obligations) and choose the Premium Starter Kit. It’s the best way to start your essential oils experience and a great deal! Embrace wellness! What are you waiting for? Today’s the day! 
Curious about more uses for essential oils? Follow the entire Healthy Living / Healthy Home series by checking out these sweet blog friends and what they’re sharing:

Catch up on even more information by visiting the January edition of Embracing Wellness here where I shared an easy lavender pillow & linen spray recipe. 

How to Make lavender pillow and linen spray @diyshowoff wool dryer balls and essential oils @diyshowoff #oilyfamilies

Valentine Mason Jars

Valentine mason jars @diyshowoff

Being able to create your own vinyl decals makes last minute quick gifts easy. You’ll need:

Valentine's Day mason jars Happy Crafters

Of course you can create your own designs by just cutting things out with scissors but investing in a vinyl cutter has proven to be well worth the it. I simply created some Valentine designs and circles for mason jar lids using the Silhouette Design Studio software…

Valentine mason jars @diyshowoff

Load vinyl into the machine pattern/shiny side up. 

Valentine mason jars @diyshowoff

Adjust settings for vinyl and send design to cut.

Valentine mason jars @diyshowoff

Remove vinyl from machine and weed away (remove) excess vinyl (vinyl that isn’t a part of the decals).

Valentine mason jars @diyshowoff

Apply vinyl like stickers or use transfer paper to decorate mason jars and lids. 

Valentine mason jars @diyshowoff

Add ribbon or decorative tape to embellish and fill jars with candy, small gifts, homemade bath salts, etc. Instant, quick easy Valentine gifts for teachers or friends. 

Valentine mason jars @diyshowoff Valentine mason jars @diyshowoffValentine mason jars @diyshowoff Valentine mason jars @diyshowoff

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

HClogopngsmall

Felted Soap Tutorial

It’s time for the monthly Michael’s Makers challenge! I’ve been wanting to/meaning to make felted soap for years and I can finally check it off my craft bucket list. But first, January is a great time of year for getting organized. I love these Recollections Memory Boxes with chalkboard labels for keeping crafting supplies organized in my craft room…

organized craft room @diyshowoff 

My craft project this month is felted soap. It’s something I usually purchase, handmade from boutiques…always for gifts but never for myself. I’ve always wanted to attempt to make my own but just never made the time to give it a try. Just one of those crafts that seemed time consuming or difficult. Boy, was I ever wrong! It’s so easy! No craft-talent required, although I bet it’s something we can acquire a skill at doing, to create some beautiful works of art maybe even too pretty to use. A fun craft to do with the kids as well.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

What is felted soap? It’s like having your bar of soap wrapped in a felt washcloth. It lengthens the number of uses of a bar of soap and there’s lots of lather! It’s also pretty…you decide on colors or designs to coordinate with your bathroom decor, seasons or holidays, etc. You choose the soap brand or scent or even make your own.  

Materials I used: Shop Michaels Online

  • bar of soap (I made 3 this time around: lavender, peppermint and even an activated charcoal soap.)
  • wool roving
  • nylon stocking (cut to fit over soap with room to tie opening)
  • water, paper towels, drying rack
  • optional: felt appliqué and felting needle tool

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Do a search for felted soap tutorials. There are a lot of different ways to go about this. This is what I did:

1. I wrapped the bar of soap with a piece of wool roving in the long direction around a bar of soap, as tight as I could get it to stay. I left a little overlap on the edges/corners. I used a thin sheet of roving and kept the overlapping the pieces on the back to a minimum.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

2. I then wrapped wool roving the other direction. I tucked in the overlap on the corners from the first piece of wool roving placed. 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

3. Optional: add thin strands of different colors. Add an appliqué using a felting needle tool. Just place and punch. I didn’t really notice that it ‘stuck’ well (I could easily pull it back off) but it did seem to grab a few fibers and that seemed to be all that was needed to keep it sort of secure and in place. Maybe I did it wrong, I’m not a felting expert. lol! 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

4. I carefully placed the wrapped bar of soap into a piece of nylon stocking. If it was the toe piece, I tied a knot in one end. When I ran out of toe/foot stocking pieces, I used the leg parts of stocking and tied both ends. This just holds everything all together and in place.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

5. In the kitchen sink, I prepared a bowl of hot water. I dipped the nylon covered soap into the hot water and started “washing my hands” with the soap. Rubbing each side of the soap, lathering. Repeating for 15 minutes. Yes, it feels like a long time standing there, but it’s not really a long time for a DIY craft project. It’s worth it. Pull up a stool or chair! Be aware of the appliqué so that it doesn’t slide around or change shape. And don’t forget to give attention to the corners and edges of the bar of soap.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

6. Next I did a rinse in cold water, lathered one more time for a minute or so then a cold rinse and squeezed to remove some of the water.

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

7. I then cut away/removed the nylon stocking and patted with a dry paper towel. If it does look as if the felt is not adhered well, repeat steps 5 and 6…without the nylon. 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakersDIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

8. Set aside to dry overnight (I put mine on a rack with paper towels underneath). 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

It’s addicting…

How to Make Felted Soap @diyshowoff.com #michaelsmakersHow to Make Felted Soap @diyshowoff.com #michaelsmakers

I want to make more, try more detailed designs! Maybe add a few drops of essential oil. Open my own shop! Okay, I wouldn’t go quite that far. But, I even made up a felted soap-on-a-rope by tying on wool yarn before felting (then simply decorated it by adding some wool yarn stripes). 

DIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakersDIY felted soap tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

What do you think? Something you want to try? Looking for more fun craft ideas? Check out these January projects from the Michael’s Makers team:

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#michaelsmakers

Haven’t decided what project you’re going to kick off 2015 with? Stop by Michaels’ blog  The Glue String  for inspiration from all 30 of the Michaels Makers.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to clean out your closet, your office or even your bedroom, but you’re sick of the typical containers and boxes – here are some cool and creative DIY storage ideas that might help!

For those of us that just need a place to store our craft materials and organize our scrapbook paper, paint, markers and yarn, you must check out these nifty craft storage systems.