Nicole (the person I refer to as my neighbour all the time here on the blog) and I have been walking our dogs together for close to a year. Alfie simply hates Penelope aka Nelly, (she’s half chihuahua and half weiner dog) and any time he sees Nelly he barks at her for a good 2 minutes straight, then completely avoids her when we walk together. Poor thing! All Nelly wants is another buddy!
We used to walk only in the evenings, but now that Nicole is on maternity leave with her first child we have been walking upwards to 3 and 4 times a day. Yes, Alfie still has terrible behaviour even if I simply mention Nelly or Nicole’s name. After almost a year of daily walking, you think my dog would get used to them. He can be a saucy bugger when he wants to especially if I give any attention to Nelly.
Since I’ve known Nicole for a while, we’ve grown close talking about all sorts of hilarious, girly things and telling each other stories about our day, on our daily walks. I wanted to do something extra special for her when her newborn arrived. With the obvious of bringing over home cooked meals to their home, I also wanted to put together a special basket just for her. Everyone spoils a baby when it first arrives, but I wanted to spoil Nicole a little bit. So I put together a small basket for her to enjoy! I reached out to a couple of companies (as I knew she loved bareMinerals mascara) and they also donated 4 items. For the most part, everything was purchased by me. I’m not a Mom yet, so I have no idea if this is the kinda stuff new Mom’s would like, but it’s a couple of necessities, and other fun things for her to enjoy.
The baby is now a week old, and I can finally blog about my secret I’ve been holding out from my neighbour. She wasn’t sure if she was going to delivery early, so I put this basket together for her in late March. I’ve been dyin’ to give it to her ever since. But I wanted to wait until I knew she really needed it— after the baby was home with her!
So here it is, the New Mom Basket:
So much fun stuff! A couple of things for the baby too, can’t forget the little one! I picked up the basket from TJ Maxx not too long ago, perfect size for all I wanted to put in it. Most of the items I picked up from Target and luckily so much of it was on sale.
Then a couple of things for the baby. The free hugs onesie and the newborn leggings were on sale. Rachel is the designer and creator behind Lucy & Leo  (the company named after her two little cousins) so she graciously sent over a little tub of Tender Tush for the baby in case he ever has a sore little butt and needs some extra TLC. Lucy & Leo is a company based out of New York who also sell the most adorable organic baby clothing, along with the Mommy and Baby skincare items.
Inside the basket:
Lucy & Leo Tender Tush, 2 pens from $1 section at Target, Altoids mints, Wet ones, Vitamin Water (lemonade flavour), mini Dove deodorant, eos lip balm, 2 packs of extra gum (for fresh breath!), 2 sticky notes from $1 section at Target, eos hand cream in cucumber, a box of tissues, a bottle of water, cucumber scented hand sanitizer, 2 clothing items for baby, Lash Domination by bareMinerals (Nicole’s favourite mascara!) along with a bareMinerals marvelous Moxie lip gloss, and bareMinerals Well-Rested face & eye brightener, a bottle of diet coke (one of her drinks of choice), and a bit of chocolate.
I thought a couple of these things would be handy to have in the main living area when she’s with her newborn. I know when my friend had her first baby last year she gave me this great idea to have a station set up where she would be for most of the day, which included a lot of baby stuff, but even pens, notebooks, hand cream in case she needed access to it.Â
It had been sitting like this for a number of weeks. So I had some time to add a couple of more goodies to her basket once she delivered. Added: Lindt white chocolate balls, a fun light magazine to read, a tide-to-go pen, and a little arrow necklace.
I can imagine no one wants to cook after having a newborn. So I decided to spoil them a little bit with some the chicken stir fry I LOVE, blueberry muffins, fresh flowers from Trader Joe’s put in a $1 store glass cylinder vase, and this gift basket I put together for my friend. It doesn’t have to be expensive, most of the basket game from Target and even then most was on sale as I already stated above. The cellophane + blue ribbon was just from the $1 store! Plus, home-made food — what’s better than a nice hearty meal? Since she’s my neighbour, she gets it fresh from the oven, and delivered right to her door. :)
Disclaimer: bareMinerals products and the Lucy & Leo product were sent for the basket. I did not purchase those items, but I did ask the company if I could have them for this basket!
28 Comments
I think you did an amazing job putting this basket together for your friend very thoughtful of you. Loving the baby onsie and leggings so cute. Plus cooking a hot meal your friend must have been the highlight
I love this idea! I would’ve loved to receive a basket like this when I had my little one.
Nikki recently posted..Eats / Pieology Pizzeria, San Jose, CA
I think you thought of pretty much everything! I love Bark Thins! Those are so yummy! I like that you included pens to keep within reach, I remember traveling all the house hanging on to my son, searching for a darn pen. This really is a beautiful basket!
Nikki recently posted..The Stork OTC Has Landed to Help Make Your Baby Dreams a Reality + Giveaway
This was a great idea! I’m sure your neighbor loved it. I spotted the EOS lotion — that is one of my favorite things.
Penny Struebig recently posted..Weekending – April 10, 2015
Hi Nancy, This is a really fun idea for me to remember! Different because of the care put into it. And, you made it look doable for even me! Especially love the ‘free hugs’ – I remember I sure needed those! I’ll be saving this to keep the ideas ready at hand :)
Donna Ward recently posted..Can You Get Astonishing Search Engine Popularity?
This is super nice! I am sure any new mom would love this! Gum is a great idea to take to the hospital! What a sweet gift!
What a great idea. It is always difficult figuring out what to give new parents. We usually just send a gift card. This is much better-more personal and applicable. Thanks for sharing.
Don recently posted..Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas Review
This is such a sweet idea! I have two pals from home that just had babies and I am totally stealing this idea :) I like that it’s not just a random generic gift, you put thought into each thing you put in that basket. I love it! <3
I love the idea of a pamper basket for mom. We always spoil the baby but it’s important to remember the mom too. That is an adorable onsie I love all the onesies with cute sayings on them they make now a day! Congrats to your neighbor!
tammilee Tips recently posted..The Power of Home Equity
Aww how cute is that! Everything in that basket will be so useful. It’s going to be well appreciated!
Liz Mays recently posted..Banana Marshmallow Pie
I love the new mom basket idea. It work better for me to give a gift like this, than to attend a baby shower.
Great idea. Thanks.
Colette – JamericanSpice recently posted..Pedal To The Metal – All About Fast Cars In The #Music Hop
I would have loved to have gotten a basket like this after I had my kids. These are great ideas and its an amazing basket!
That is a great basket. What a great friend you are. =) I would love to be surprised with a basket like this. I like how you included gifts for both baby and mom. I’ve never heard of Lucy and Leo before, I am going to have to check them out.
This new mom gift basket is both thoughtful and awesome. I especially like the free hugs onesie for the baby since it’s super adorable. Also, the Lindt white chocolate balls sound delicious. I want you to be my neighbor!
Mindi recently posted..A Day of Eating in Boston
You may be the best neighbor ever! What a nice gift basket! I wish you were my neighbor when I had a baby!
Stephanie recently posted..Quick and Easy Superhero Crayon Disc Craft
I love the design of basket! Looks really special gift from your heart! I love the stuff too!
Nicole Herose Escat recently posted..Where to Find Cheap and Trendy Prom Dresses Online?
This is such a sweet idea for new moms! You definitely win the award for best neighbor ever <3
Angelic Sinova recently posted..Monday’s Music 14 [Birthday Songs Edition]
What a cute and thoughtful basket! I love all the little things you’ve put in this. Pinned it for ideas for later :).
Usually I try to take a meal in the days or weeks after baby’s arrival. My toddler helps with the preparation and a good meal is always most appreciated.
Betsy @ BPhotoArt.com recently posted..Make Your Own Fabric Play Fort Kit!
It is so sweet of you to do this for her and it is true that the babies do get spoiled. This is a great idea to give new mom baskets to new mamas so they know you are thinking of them. Thanks for sharing.
I love this idea! Many forget about mom when baby is born, I think every mom would appreciate this.
Shaney Vijendranath recently posted..Autumn trends with Naartjie Kids
It is always fun to set up a gift basket. I did something similar for a friend last year and she loved it so much!
What an absolutely gorgeous idea Nancy! I wish someone had done something like this for me when I had my son, it would have been so appreciated. Pinning for future reference! :)
This is SUCH a wonderful idea! I just had a friend pop out an almost 10lb baby, and another friend is due next month, and this is such a great way to celebrate them as well! Everyone fawns over the little one, while mom gets so little credit and does so much work! Kudos! Totally pinning this for future reference!
Erica @ The Crumby Cupcake recently posted..Chocolate Cannoli Cheesecake Mousse Torte
That’s what I would have loved…someone to cook for me (and do dishes) right after the baby was born. It was expected that I would do my normal housekeeping…or it would wait for me. Of course w/a new baby in the house you just can’t let the housework wait…things have to stay clean. Someone stepping in to cook and clean a bit would have been nice!!
New Mom how about new Friend Basket? I want all of those gifts…who knows when I am gonna be a mom!!
Nancy! This is such a beautiful idea and you picked the BEST things and I’m so happy she has you for a friend- lucky lady! xo
You are a thoughtful and caring friend for Nicole. You are a blessing to her. I wish you too happiness and hope you’re now getting back to walking your dogs too. :)