Whenever I receive an invitation to a baby shower, my mind goes straight to gifts. Sure, mamas-to-be often prefer invitees to stick to the baby registry (I was one of them!). Even still, there’s something so special about DIY baby shower gifts. They’re heartfelt, meaningful, and a wonderful way to bless expectant moms and their babies. Handmade baby shower gifts aren’t reserved for professional crocheters, either. No matter your skill level, you’d be surprised by how many options you have when it comes to putting together the perfect handmade keepsake. To spark your creativity, here are 30+ of my favorite DIY ideas for baby shower gifts!
10 Easy DIY Baby Shower Gifts
Homemade baby gifts don’t have to be labor-intensive (no pun intended) for the mama to cherish them. If you’re in a time crunch, check out the following ideas. These DIY baby shower gifts are suitable for all skill levels:
1. Photo Frame With a Personalized Sentiment
Purchase a photo frame and insert a handwritten or typed letter to mom or baby (or both, if you’d like). Hot glue a baby blue or pink ribbon (or another color, like yellow or green, if you don’t know the gender yet!) in the shape of a bow to the top of the frame. Once baby arrives, the recipient can decide whether she wants to add a special photo or leave it as is.
2. Diaper Cake
Roll up diapers, secure them with rubber bands, and build a “cake” with a bottle of baby wash as the base. Then, secure each layer with large rubber bands and ribbon, decorate them to your liking, and voila! Practical and fun.
3. Basket of Essentials
Every new mom should have all the basics on hand when it comes to her little one’s section of the medicine cabinet. Use her registry to find out which products and brands she’s interested in, then stock up on them. Arrange everything in a basket or diaper caddy. (Bonus: Toss in travel sizes of other brands for her to try. She might just find a new favorite!)
4. Personalized Onesies
Grab a blank onesie and a vinyl iron-on or two — or create and print your own design using iron-on vinyl. Then, personalize a one-of-a-kind piece for baby! This can be especially fun if the mama-to-be has already announced her little one’s name. If not, you can put a fun saying on it.
5. Burp Cloths
If you can manage a simple stitch, you can make these. Select an organic cotton fabric and a soft patterned fabric, cut them both to the same size, and sew them together. Make a few for a complete set!
6. Keepsake Dried Birth Month Flowers
This is a heartfelt spin on flowers — not to mention practical, because what new mom wants to water a plant while keeping a brand-new human alive?! Use the expecting mama’s estimated due date to determine her little one’s birth flower. Grab a few stems at the flower market, dry a handful of flowers (check out Pinterest for various methods), and frame them for a beautiful, decorative keepsake.
7. “Do Not Disturb” Front Door Sign
If I’m being honest, I wish I had one of these when I first welcomed each of my babies home. Mastering the art of newborn naps is hard enough as is; these can help keep unsolicited knocking at bay. Using a pre-cut “do not disturb” front door sign (a template from Pinterest, such as this one, and cardstock work fine!), write or print a heads-up to visitors and delivery drivers. Then, laminate to protect it from the elements.
8. Travel Kits for Baby and Mama
Alleviate the stress of mom and baby’s first time away from home with a curated travel kit. Must-haves include a baby brush, thermometer, and travel-size diaper rash cream, but feel free to fill a zip pouch to the brim! Personalize it with stick-on felt letters if you wish.
9. DIY Photo Album (For Pregnancy Memories or Baby Photos)
As much as moms love taking pictures of their babies, how often do we actually get around to organizing them in a tangible form? Putting together a ready-to-use photo album for an expecting mama is a thoughtful way to help her accomplish this! Using scrapbook stickers, craft paper, and ink stamps, prepare several pages of an empty scrapbook with baby-themed words, images, and frames. Include extra scrapbook materials as part of your gift — and a disposable camera if you’d like a fun finishing touch!
10. DIY Baby Book Starter Set
This is similar to the photo album idea but in baby book form! Although many baby books come ready to fill in, you can consider adding a DIY element to this special gift. First, select a baby book you think the mom-to-be will love. Then, curate a set of baby-themed scrapbook stickers, handwritten prompts and questions, and fun gel pens (make sure they’re high-quality and long-lasting to withstand the ages) to gift with the book itself.
11 Hands-on DIY Baby Shower Gifts
If you have a bit more time and crafting talent up your sleeve, consider these hands-on DIY baby shower gifts. They’re sentimental, practical, and sure to be appreciated!
1. Baby Blanket
This is a classic! Put your knitting, crocheting, or sewing skills to use with this one. This homemade baby shower gift will warm mama’s heart — and baby, literally.
2. Baby Cardigan
One of the most cherished handmade baby gifts I ever received was a knitted baby cardigan — one for each of my babies, actually — from my next-door neighbor. The time and thoughtfulness she poured into the pieces really touched me. Plus, talk about adorable!
3. Baby Hat
I love this handmade gift for any newborn baby, especially for those due in cooler months (or climates). You’ll need your sewing machine and thread, a quarter yard of jersey material, and a pattern (such as this one). Fair warning: you might get hooked and end up making one for each day of the week. 😉
4. Wooden Baby Name Sign
This is a perfect gift for any nursery! Purchase a large plywood board at the hardware store. Then, type and print baby’s name in large font. Cut out the letters, trace them onto the plywood, and carefully cut them out using a jigsaw and scroll saw. Paint the sign if desired, or leave it as is.
5. Personalized Baby Block Set
For a DIY baby shower gift that’s both unique and versatile, grab a set of wooden blocks at the craft store. Then, get to work making them unique with stencils and paint. Just make sure the paint is nontoxic and safe for babies!
6. Knitted Baby Booties
Babies don’t keep, and neither does their time in itsy-bitsy baby booties. Even still, every newborn should have at least one special pair. If you know how to knit, handmade baby booties make for a precious heirloom-level gift.
7. DIY Lovey
Here’s another sweet essential for any brand-new baby! Sew two square-shaped 16×16-inch pieces of minky fabric together, and add satin edges if desired. You can keep it simple or add on a small stuffed animal (baby-safe with no loose pieces, of course). Or, you can swap out the sewn-on stuffed animal (or plain satin edges) for 3-inch ribbon tags sewn all around the edges of the lovey. Tags add an element of entertainment and stimulation for baby, so have at it with them!
8. Baby Mobile
If you know what theme the expecting parents are using for their little one’s nursery, consider crafting a handmade baby mobile as a gift to match their theme. There are plenty of ideas online, and you can really have fun with this one! If you’re unsure what the mom- and dad-to-be will want to hang on a mobile, run it by them before starting your project.
9. DIY Pacifier Clips
This is a small but useful accessory! You’ll need a 1-inch wide ribbon, a cap, a socket, stud snaps, metal pacifier clips, and your sewing machine. Toss in a pack of pacifiers for a complete gift.
10. DIY Car Seat Cover
When properly made (aka: with breathability and a window for airflow), a car seat cover can become a daily staple for new moms to protect their little ones from the elements — or curious passersby. You’ll need 1 ¼ yard of printed lightweight fabric for the front of the cover, 1 ¼ yard of printed lightweight fabric for the back, a sewing machine, thread, needle, and scissors. First, sew together your fabric to make a large square. Then, cut out a “window” about midway down the front. Finally, sew on velcro loops directly above the window for attaching to the car seat handle.
11. DIY Baby Wrap
Another staple for many moms, baby slings make it simple and stylish to keep newborns close and cozy. You’ll need 5 to 6 yards of knit, breathable fabric (such as jersey or muslin), and matching thread. Cut your fabric in half, hem the edges to prevent fraying, and sew a ribbon halfway along your material so the mama knows where to wrap her sling. Include printed instructions for wearing a sling — and helpful tips if you’re a babywearing pro yourself!
10 DIY Baby Shower Gifts Especially for Mom
It’s no surprise that the little one on board is typically the center of attention at baby showers. That being said, who are we kidding? Mamas-to-be are the ones doing the heavy lifting and deserve to be treated as such! Make the guest of honor’s day with one of these DIY baby shower gifts just for her:
1. Pregnancy Care Kit
A pregnancy care kit is a great way to ensure the mama-to-be is relaxed and well in the weeks or months leading up to the big event. Start with a decorative box or basket. Then, curate it with pregnancy bath salts, belly massage oil, and other goodies you think she’ll love.
2. Postpartum Recovery Kit
As moms, we often push our own needs aside post-labor and delivery. In reality, the postpartum period should be treated with the utmost care and attention. Put together a recovery kit for mom with items such as Earth Mama nipple balm, reusable hot/cold gel packs (if she plans to breastfeed), a sitz bath soak, lip balm, and a heating pad (I love Warmies!). She’ll appreciate it more than you realize. For inspiration on what to include, see Postpartum Essentials for Mom and Baby and Postpartum Must-Haves for After a Vaginal Birth.
3. Snacks and Goodies Basket
No matter how a mother delivers her baby, doing so requires a lot of energy. She’ll surely appreciate a gift basket full of her favorite healthy (and most-craved) snacks and goodies. Toss in a few electrolyte drinks and/or a Doordash gift card for good measure!
4. Handmade Nursing Cover
If you know that mama plans to nurse their baby, a handmade nursing cover is a useful and thoughtful gift. You’ll need about ¾ yard of stretchy, lightweight knit fabric (such as cotton spandex), matching thread, and sewing supplies. Prints can be fun if you know the expectant mama’s style, but neutrals are always a safe bet.
5. Personalized Bracelet
A simple treasure! If you know the baby’s name, consider using letter beads to string together a custom piece for mama to flaunt. You might also opt to include a birthstone or another meaningful bead or charm (such as a rainbow for a rainbow baby).
6. A Blanket for Her
Both of my babies received multiple baby blankets when they were born. While these are always appreciated and well-loved, mama also needs to be cozy for all those newborn snuggles and late-night feeds. If you’ve got the skills for it, consider knitting or crocheting a snuggly throw blanket. Otherwise, try your hand at a no-sew, knotted felt blanket!
7. Coupon Book To Redeem as She Wishes
It’s no secret that new moms have their hands full. A coupon book with offers to redeem before and/or after baby’s arrival is a gift that will keep on giving! Think: A Target run (and delivery) for last-minute nursery needs, a nurturing homemade meal on the front porch, a deep clean of the house before mom and baby return home from the hospital . . . the options are endless!
8. New Mama Affirmation Cards
No matter what stage we’re in, we moms need encouragement. Kick off the mama-to-be’s journey with just that! Print or write uplifting affirmations for new motherhood on cardstock paper. Cut out the cards and tie them with a cute ribbon for a nice touch.
9. Homemade Lip Scrub and Bath Salts
Women’s bodies go through a lot to deliver babies, making self-care critical in the postpartum period. Homemade lip scrub and bath salts are an easy, useful gift to pamper any new mom. For lip scrub, use a 1:2 ratio of honey and sugar to mix up enough to fill a small container. For bath salts, fill a clear jar with 3 cups of Epsom salt, 1 ½ tablespoons of baking soda, 1 ½ tablespoons of dried flowers, and five drops of essential oils. Label the lip scrub and bath salts with a permanent marker, and wrap them up together with a handwritten reminder for the mama to take care — literally.
10. A Pre-Planned Postpartum Meal Train
A pre-planned meal train is a wonderful baby shower gift that should not be overlooked! It’s easily one of the most helpful gestures I’ve ever been on the receiving end of as a mom, and I’ll be forever grateful to my neighbors who set one up for my family and me following my son’s premature arrival. By organizing a meal train in advance for an expecting mom, you’ll relieve her of a lot of the stress that comes with keeping everyone fed once she comes home from the hospital. Get in touch with her family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to coordinate homemade meals post-baby, or look into using a meal train service.
DIY Baby Shower Gifts: It’s the Thought That Counts
Whether for a close friend or work acquaintance, it can be tricky to decide what to bring as a gift to a baby shower. No matter your skill level (or budget), you can’t go wrong with something straight from the heart. These DIY baby shower gifts are sure to be a hit for new moms and babies alike!
