How to Make Environment Friendly Newborn, New Baby or Baby Gift Baskets

By Helen Hecker R. N.

Giving an eco-friendly or environment  friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket is a great way to help the environment.  Whether you buy an eco-friendly gift basket from a gift basket business, make it cheaply yourself at home or add it to an existing line for your gift basket business, the environment will be better off for it.  Think recycled paper (100% post-consumer, waste/process, chlorine-free), organic products, vegan products, non-toxic and non-plastic items, natural fibers, reusing and recycling.  Just use these simple tips and follow these easy instructions and you’ll learn how to make a great, unique, custom, personalized baby gift basket.

First of all you’ll need to decide whether you’ll be using organic or vegan items or products, fair-trade products like soaps, items of clothing like new socks made from recycled cotton, or pre-packaged, homemade or recyclable used items. You probably won’t want to use any fragrant food items if you’re using any scented products.  The fragrances of food and perfume don’t combine well in a gift basket. But use your best judgment. Also you may have some other ideas for making your basket more of a personal memory gift.

Next decide on what products or items will go into the environment-friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket.

For an organic, vegan or all natural baby gift basket – some products and ideas are:  organic baby foods, organic teething chews, all natural or organic baby lotions, organic shampoos, organic baby powders, other organic bath products, organic, vegan and fair-trade soaps, natural fiber sponges, organic cotton towels, terry cloth bath pillows, natural spa pillows, natural hair brushes, socks and other clothing made of organic cotton, CDs of nature sounds or other soothing music, baby toys made with natural fiber and/or safe recycled material, wooden blocks, safe, non-toxic baby games, personal memory gift items, or a no-expiration gift certificate to a store that specializes in environmentally friendly items.

Now that you’ve decided on what products or items to use it’s time to put your personalized environment-friendly gift basket together.

For gift container ideas:  fair-trade baskets, wooden baskets, wooden bowls, fiber baskets, straw baskets, locally made pottery, buckets, potted plant holders, wire baskets, fabric gift bags, homemade gift bags, used baskets and containers from Goodwill Industries and Salvation Army stores or anything recyclable.

For gift basket liner ideas:  shredded newspaper, shredded comics, organic cotton tea towels, organic cotton dish towels, organic cotton wash cloths, hand towels, or bath towels, colored recyclable napkins, organic cotton cloth napkins, fabric pieces, or an organic cotton receiving blanket.

For gift basket filler, if needed, you can use:  crumpled or shredded newspaper comics, or use your imagination to come up with a better idea.

And for gift basket wrap and tie you can use:  recyclable paper, butcher paper, newspaper, newspaper comics, or reusable brown paper bags.  Also check with the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries stores for inexpensive recyclable wrapping paper. Tie with jute or raffia twine for a simple rustic look or leave the gift basket unwrapped.

Now the easy instructions for putting your custom, personalized environment-friendly gift basket together - first start with your custom container.  Place the liner inside and add the gift basket filler.  Arrange the gift basket products and gift items with the tallest in back. If needed, fill any holes with small baby items or crumpled or shredded recycled paper.  Cover with wrap and tie with jute or raffia twine.  Don’t forget the personalized, recycled or homemade card. If you’re using a homemade card include a happy, personal, positive, uplifting, spine-tingling favorite quote or saying. Mom can read it to baby.  That’s it!  You should have a fine-looking eco-friendly, environment-friendly newborn baby, new baby or baby gift basket!

copyright ©2006 Helen Hecker All Rights Reserved.

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