Hello and welcome to my blog! Today, I am trying something a little different. I am publishing a three-part mini-series- focusing on thoughtful gifts for new moms. This mini-series includes a post featuring a gift basket filled with handmade gifts (that is this post), a recipe post featuring a beef and sausage pasta bake for a new mom, and a recipe post for an English rustic white bread topped with English cheddar cheese. You can see all of these (separate) posts included in today’s post.
Recently, my sister had a new baby. I wanted to show her my care and love by making her a new mom gift basket. Of course, I needed to create this gift basket in the Cotswold Kitchen Mom way. Therefore, I created this basket by collecting thrifted items. I then paired those thrifted treasures with some special handmade gifts. Plus, I wanted to prepare a warm meal for her family (that was simple and could also feed my own family).
Using a thrifted basket to hold my special items, a vintage teacup to make a hand-poured candle, some adorable Peter Rabbit inspired fabric to sew a bunting for the baby, and an easy family friendly pasta bake recipe- I was able to create the perfect new mom gift basket.
I would be thrilled if you would follow along to see how my thrifted finds inspired my one-of-a-kind new mom gift basket. Let’s put our creative caps on and get started. First stop: the thrift store!
How to Shop for Baskets in the Thrift Store:
Upon entering a thrift store- if you take some time to look around, you may find that baskets often abound.
New baskets can be expensive, and it is for this reason that I always look for quality baskets when thrifting. I do prefer beautiful vintage baskets; however, a basket does not have to be old to be beautiful and helpful. If a basket is sturdy and undamaged, it can be a practical home organizing tool.
My Top (Thrifted Basket Buying) Tips:
- Look for strength while checking for damage.
- Give a proper inspection of the basket by holding it above your head and inspecting the bottom as well as making sure the handle (if it has one) is sturdy.
- If there is a basket liner, remove the liner to see the bottom of the basket.
- Ask yourself if the basket looks clean or is cleanable?
- If the basket is well made and is not damaged, if the price is reasonable, and if you like it…you are on to a good thing, for baskets can make a home sing.
The basket I found for my new mom gift basket was very sturdy and strong. It had a removable liner (which was perfect as I could wash it), and it featured the perfect baby boy colors: blue and white.
So that was that- I removed it from the rack and placed it in my shopping cart- for that is the thrifting art.
How to Clean a Thrifted Basket
So, you have found the perfect basket, now how can you clean it?
Baskets can be cleaned in just a few easy steps:
- First, gently use a vacuum- or a soft brush- to remove any dust that may be trapped in the basket weave.
- Identify what the basket is made of and do a little research. (Being mindful that certain materials require special care.)
- Now, time for the clean: I like to take a small mixing bowl and fill it with warm, slightly soapy, water. Then using a soft sponge, soft cloth, or a baby wipe, gently clean the surface areas. This includes the inside (and the outside) of the basket- plus the basket handle (if the basket has one). *Be sure to wring the cloth out so it is not too wet.
- After this, I like to place my basket outside in the shade on a warm day. This allows the basket to slowly dry, but also allows the basket to get a good dose of fresh air.
Note: The thrifted basket I purchased for my new mom gift basket came with a removable insert. (Baskets with removable inserts are ideal because the insert can be taken out and washed. Therefore, giving a new mom peace of mind). It is worth noting that some basket liners may need to be washed by hand and allowed to air dry.
After washing the basket liner, I cleaned the inside/outside of the basket before re-adding the clean liner. Now, I had an unsullied, ready-to-fill, space.
Thrifted New Mom Gift Basket Ideas
Do you know anyone who has recently given birth to a precious new baby? Having a new baby is a joyful experience, but also an exhausting one. Therefore, creating a new mom gift basket can be the perfect way to show you care.
Layering thoughtful items into a basket is a logical way to give a gift that is both lovely and functional.
Personally, I enjoy using baskets in my home to help organize spaces- especially children’s spaces. Baskets are perfect for storing diapers and wipes, washcloths and baby toiletries, or little onesie outfits and tiny socks. Giving a gift, in a basket, allows the “package” to also act as a helpful tool that can be used in a nursery.
Handmade Gift Ideas for New Moms: the Basket Fillers
Filling a new mom gift basket can be personal (or simply logical)- depending on the relationship you have with the mother. Logical baskets will be filled with supplies that will help both mom and baby. Items such as ChapStick, maybe some lotion or a warm pair of socks for the mom. Items such as diapers, wipes, newborn socks, or baby washcloths for the baby may be perfect additions.
Personal new mom gift baskets may contain items such as nursing supplies for the mother. Or more personalized gifts for the baby and mom.
I like handmade items that are warm and made with love. Therefore, for my basket I decided to add things I would like to receive myself. My sister’s basket contained a handmade bunting flag for the baby boy. (Perfect for decorating a baby nursery above the crib or hung above a changing table.) I also included a handmade DIY teacup candle for the cozy mid- afternoon snuggles. And lastly, I included a thrifted baby trinket, a sweet treat, and a warming meal.
If you are creating a new mom basket -and you are a mom- fill it with things that brought you comfort when spending time with your little one. Cozy items, toiletries items, yummy snacks, a good book, even practical gifts are all wonderful additions to a new mom gift basket.
As always, remember that creating a basket like this does not have to be expensive. A little creativity (and work of the hands) can allow for a warm basket filled with love.
How to Layer a Gift Basket:
When layering handmade gifts into a thrifted basket think about height, space, size, and color. Really, you can arrange handmade items in the gift basket in any way you wish, but here are a few helpful tips:
- Place tall items in the back of the basket. If you do not have any tall items (a blanket rolled up, a stack of diapers, or children’s books, can give the illusion of height- while also being a meaningful addition to the basket).
- Place medium items in front of the tallest items. Stepping back every so often to look at the overall color scheme and which items complement each other.
- Place the smallest items in the front of the basket and nestle the tiniest trinkets into any gaps.
- Basket fillers can be a small bunch of fresh flowers, a pack of pacifiers, baby socks, or a chocolate bar for mom.
- Other items that can be added to the basket to give it a polished look: a card, ribbons, or bows.
At the end of the day, the basket is a gift that shares your joy and love with the new mother and her precious baby. Fill and design the basket however you see fit.
Handmade Gift Items I used to Create My New Mom Gift Basket:
DIY Teacup Candle
When thinking of my new mom gift basket, I wanted my sister to have something cozy and comforting. The idea of a candle sprang to mind. My favorite candles to make are beeswax candles or soy wax candles. I like to source vintage vessels to create my candles in. Of course, I collect the vessels on my thrift store shopping sprees.
Recently, I came across this sweet vintage floral teacup. I was drawn to the colors as it was blue and green. Seeing as my sister gave birth to a baby boy- this was the perfect color combo. When I picked up the teacup to inspect it, I was happy that the cup was not thin and dainty, but was instead heavy and had thick walls. (This is what I needed to make a suitable candle.)
When thrifting for candle vessels, I like to pick the item up and hold it to the light- giving it a good inspection. Checking for any cracks or damages. Once I purchased the teacup, I gave it a thorough wash with warm soapy water and allowed it to dry. Now, I was ready to melt my soy wax and begin my candle making craft.
Allow me to walk you through my candle making steps through the use of my photography. (Candle making can be tricky but it is a lovely project to be involved in. If making candles is of particular interest to you, please let me know and I am happy to provide more details- or to create a dedicated candle making post).
How to Make a Handmade DIY Teacup Candle (In Photos):
Thirfted Trinket for the Baby
When I was in the thrift store (shopping for the new mom gift basket), I came across this cute wooden teddy bear trinket. I knew this would make a sweet addition to my basket. He was adorable as he was, but I wanted to keep my blue and green color theme for my basket.
Therefore, I made one minor change. I painted his red heart, blue. That was it.
Vintage trinkets like these tell a story. I think they are lovely on a shelf in a baby’s room- or handsomely perched upon a stack of children’s books.
Always keep your eyes peeled for treasures to add to a basket of goodies.
DIY Bunting Flags
Now that our homemade DIY teacup candle is curing, let us turn our attentions to the bunting flag.
You may know by now, I love bunting flags. Using bunting flags to decorate my home spaces was an idea I brought back from my time living in England. Making a handmade bunting for a new baby is a lovely little project. There are so many adorable fabrics to choose from. I wanted a fabric that could grow with my nephew for a few years, and one that was not completely babyish.
Therefore, I steered away from the baby blue elephants or sailboats and went with a slightly darker color scheme. The first fabric I found was a Peter Rabbit style pattern. Seeing as Peter Rabbit and England go hand-in- hand, I thought I would start there. (*See an Easter bunting also made with a different Peter Rabbit Fabric here.)
*Note: A bunting flag can be one solid fabric or mixed fabrics. I generally prefer to mix and match my bunting fabrics. Hence, adding a blue plaid and a gray polka dot.
Allow me to walk you through my bunting flag creation (also through my photography) below. If you are interested in a more step- by-step bunting flag post, see my article on bunting flags here and here.
The Gift Basket is Filled: Let Us Make a Recipe to Fill the New Mom's Belly
Easy Pasta Bake and Rustic White Bread with English Cheddar
Now that our DIY teacup candle is curing and our baby bunting flags are sewn, let us tun our attentions to the kitchen.
Any mom loves a homemade meal that they did not have to cook. Bringing a new mom a meal is a thoughtful way to care for their needs, while providing nourishment for them- and the other members of their family (i.e. a husband or other children).
When I had my first baby in England, our church was gracious and provided many delicious meals. The same was true in America. Not having to worry about what to feed my family for dinner- after just having a new baby- was a wonderful gift indeed.
Now that I have my own family to feed, I try to think about a meal that is easy to prepare double of. As generally, I will make the same meal for my own family when I am preparing the meal for a new mom.
Pasta bakes are good options as they are generally liked by most people, and they can be inexpensive to prepare. Pasta bakes also offer carbohydrates, protein, vegetables, and cheese all in one. Therefore, offering the new mother good nutrition after giving birth. I paired my pasta bake with a rustic white bread topped with a creamy English Cheddar. Naturally, I could not forget to add some English Hobnobs for dessert.
I left my own family to eat the same meal, and I delivered the other half of the meal to my sister. In this way, I killed two birds with one stone. Feeding two families from one meal’s preparation. To see my full new mom meal recipe- see my pasta bake and my English cheese bread recipes.
Final Thoughts Until Next Time:
Creating a collected, curated gift basket for a new mom is a fun project. Using thrifted items to fill a gift basket means that each basket you create is unique and one of a kind. A good rule of thumb when creating a gift basket is to think of items that you would like to receive if you were in the other person’s position.
What items do you find comforting? What items bring you joy? What items do you find helpful? Answer these questions with little thoughtful gifts- and before you know it, you will have an inexpensive basket that is full of thoughtfulness and love.
Adding personal, handmade gifts and homecooked treats is the perfect way to add warmth to a basket. In a sense, the basket becomes a “storyteller” and tells its own little story.
I hope these ideas proved useful and inspirational. Gift baskets can be created for many occasions- not just the birth of a new baby. So always be on the lookout for a good basket and treasures in which to fill it. Who knows maybe you will even create a basket to pamper yourself?
If you do not know anyone who has just had a baby, no worries. For, a warm pasta bake and some Hobnob cookies from England always hit the spot- no matter the occasion.
Have you ever made a new mom gift basket? If so, I would love to hear all about it.
Please subscribe to my blog (it is free and it ensures you do not miss a post). Also, be sure to check out my main pages for more thrifted inspirations here, for more English cottage crafts here, and English food ideas here. Check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages or any other of my blog post. If you enjoy reading my post, please feel free to share with friends and family who may enjoy reading along as well.
Until next time,
~Elizabeth~
