A really thoughtful gift idea for new parents is to create your own baby gift basket for them. It can be given as a maternity gift, a baby shower gift or a baby congratulations gift once the baby has been born. If you are feeling generous, why not create a ‘First Layette’ baby gift basket? A layette is a collection of baby clothes and key items that the baby will need in the first few weeks of its life.

1. Find a suitable gift basket container. This could be a white wicker gift basket that can be used in the nursery later on, a traditional picnic style hamper gift basket or for something really special, how about a Moses' basket?

2. Don’t buy a lot of baby clothes in the smallest size for your baby gift basket because newborns grow very quickly. If you know that a scan has shown that the baby is big, about 10 pounds or so, he will probably go straight into a larger size right away. But even if he isn’t, he’ll quickly outgrow newborn clothing.

3. Avoid buying clothes with frills and ribbons that a baby’s fingers could easily get caught in. Choose garments that are easy to put on and take off because most newborn babies dislike being dressed and undressed. Look for tops with envelope shoulders and one-piece garments with poppers. They will look lovely displayed in a baby gift basket.

4. For a basic layette baby gift basket, you will need the following:

- 4 T-shirts with envelope shoulders
- 4 babygrows
- 3 cardigans
- 2 pairs of socks or booties
- A baby hat and mittens if it is winter
- Baby shawls or blankets
- 2 baby bibs
- 2 baby sleepsuits
- 1 baby towel or hooded baby wrap
- 4 wash cloths
- 1 baby receiving blanket

5. Make sure that you line your baby gift basket with cream tissue paper and then wrap it in cellophane and tie the cellophane with a beautiful ribbon. This not only makes the baby gift basket looks fantastic but it also protects the baby gifts. For an extra special touch, why not sprinkle the baby gift basket with silver confetti or include a special pampering gift for the new mother in the baby gift basket such as a bottle of relaxing bath oil?