| In my opinion, stop searching the shops and try making | | | | down to the exact size, even colour you are looking |
| them something. It may sound like hard work, but when | | | | for. |
| you do give them your gift, you will see that it was | | | | What I tend to include in a simple baby basket is 3 |
| worth all the effort. There's something special about | | | | core items. |
| giving people handmade gifts. I regularly make gifts for | | | | 1. Soft toy |
| my friends and family whether it be for Christmas or a | | | | 2. Baby basics (clothing, bibs etc) |
| Birthday, and it never fails to put a smile on their faces. | | | | 3. Trinket/Frame/Photo Album |
| You don't have to be particularly creatively gifted | | | | If you stick to that you will keep your costs down if |
| either! Sometimes the simplest looking thing can be the | | | | you shop wisely and it will look great too. I start by |
| most stylish too. | | | | taking a simple basket, you can find these in any good |
| Where I'd start is with what your goal is. Do you want | | | | homewear department store. I look for the ones that |
| to create a box, a basket, something unique? Do you | | | | are lined with material, they give a more unique look. I |
| want to go "all out" on big expensive items to fill your | | | | then place the items I have in the basket and build it up |
| basket with? Are you sticking to a small budget? | | | | to get an idea of what it will look like. Once I am happy |
| What colours do you want to fit in? There are lots of | | | | with my design I secure the items in place. |
| things to consider. | | | | Now there are many different ways to secure your |
| One thing I highly recommend is looking on the internet | | | | items. You can use gardening wire (make sure to |
| for inspiration. Once you have an idea of what you'd | | | | make it clear to the recipient that there is wire holding it |
| like to put in your basket, do a search for your items | | | | together, as want to make sure there are no hidden |
| before even setting foot in a shop. Just doing some | | | | dangers for the baby.)You can use tape, however I |
| quick searches online could save you money, all this | | | | would avoid using this if you decide to put in clothing as |
| and you don't even need to leave your house. By | | | | it may stick and stain. Another great way to keep it all |
| looking online you will be able to refine what exactly | | | | together is to use shrink wrap. Its relatively inexpensive |
| you are looking for. Many online stores let you search | | | | but gives a great look. You can find the shrink wrap |
| by preference, which is great as you can narrow | | | | bags ready made on most online auction sites. |