So you want to make your own huh? Well if you are the creative type and want bragging rights then this is the project for you. Start out at your favorite craft store and pick your basket. Although you might want to start with that..how about a decorative tin (like the kind you get popcorn gifts in) or even better yet: personalize a large gift or tote bag.



Let's start with the gift basket. Chances are you won't be able to find one in a color, so consider spray painting it pink, blue, white or any other pastel color. Let the basket dry overnight and follow the instructions on the paint can. Next, consider what to put in the basket. Stuff the bottom with either cotton or disposable diapers which allows you to place more gifts on top. Build your basket around one big gift and several small ones. Here are some gifts to consider for the basket:

? Pacifiers

? Diapers

? Bibs

? Socks

? Onesies

? Bottles and formula

? Gift Certificate

? Baby Monitor

Now here comes the pretty part. As an alternative to wrapping the basket in colored cellophane, get some fresh flowers in the color scheme of your basket. Keep them in water until you are just ready to go to the shower. Cut the stems at varying lengths and place them in and amongst the gifts. How great is that!

If you are choosing a decorative tin instead of a basket, then you might not want to do the flowers. Again, fill the tin half way with the diapers and place the other gifts so that they appear to cascade out of the top. In this case, colored cellophane might be needed to keep everything in place. How about a contrasting color for the cellophane?

Finally, you might consider the decorative tote bag. If you are into scrap booking and crafts, then this might be the project for you. You will need a glue gun for this one. Find a tote bag that is white or canvas colored. Using white felt, draw a large stork. Use yellow felt for the beak , legs and feet. Just to make it really cute, cut out a delivery man's hat out of navy blue felt. Glue all pieces to heavy crafting paper or cardboard (you know, the kind you buy for school projects). Cut out all the pieces once the glue is dry. Now assemble so the stork's neck is well ABOVE the level of the tote bag and use the hot glue gun to attach to the tote bag and place it off to one side.

You now have a unique gift bag to place all the gifts in. This is very different from the gift basket and you are not limited by anything here! Do a turtle bag, a Disney theme, a little boy or girl. Once again, fill the bottom with diapers and place the rest of the gifts on top. Since the stork is on the front of the bag, off to one side, tie a large bow with ribbons to the handle on the other side. Now you are ready to go!