We admit it: We all want to be the ones at the shower who hand over a gift and get the biggest “awwww…” from the crowd when it’s open. Not that it’s a contest. Still, if you want to put together something extra-special, it’s about putting more thought into the gift than just clicking a box on an online registry.

The best part is, you don’t even have to spend a lot of money to do something extra-thoughtful, like one of these three tips:

1. A handmade card will be cherished
We’re not all expert quilters or superior crochet mavens, but we can can all certainly make a card that will be worth keeping long after the baby has outgrown the gift. We love these ideas that even we could do. And that’s saying something.

At top, clockwise from top left: DIY Onesie Baby Card; DIY Oh Baby Canvas Card; B is for Baby DIY card; Printable Baby Wish Card you assemble; Clothespin Baby Card

 

2. Make the gift wrap more personal
While you can always pop a gift into a cute gift bag and tie with ribbon, we love some of these adorable ideas that are perfect for mamas-to-be. If you’re giving a swaddling blanket set like the ones from the new Munchkin Swaddle Angel collection, you can even buy an extra blanket and since the patterns are so wonderful, use that for the gift wrap. How’s that for eco-friendly!

DIY baby shower gift wrap ideas | Cool Mom Picks

Pinwheels as bows; Munchkin Swaddling Blankets as eco-gift wrap; Top gift with vintage photo, maybe the mom as a baby; Craft paper and a diaper pin to seal the ribbon; DIY gift tag from map of baby’s birthplace

 

3. Add something special just for mom
A little something for mama can go a long way–she’s more than an incubator, right? While there are always lotions and oils galore, we think some of these ideas are really fun and more unexpected. And definitely not expensive.

Baby gift ideas just for mom | Cool Mom Picks

IOU for night of sushi (she’ll want it soon!); pedicure gift card at her favorite salon; cute flash drive with favorite lullaby MP3s; printable babysitting couponjournal filled with your wishes for baby; Munchkin Swaddle Angel Gift Set–add a sleep mask for mom so they can both get some shut-eye!

 

 

EXTRA COOL: WIN IT! We’re excited to give away the ENTIRE MUNCHKIN SWADDLE ANGEL COLLECTION to one lucky winner! That’s a value of more than $100. You’ll get The Swaddle Angel Blanket, Swaddle Angel Burp Cloth, and Swaddle Angel each in the color of your choice.

To enter: Email contests@mompicksprod.wpengine.com by midnight PT Weds 6/19 with MUNCHKIN in the subject, check the site, and tell us which of the three items in which colors you’d like should you win. We’ll draw one winner at random, US only please. Good luck!

Munchkin Swaddle Angel collection

This post brought to you by our wonderful partner Munchkin and their new Munchkin Swaddle Angel Collection which lets you comfort baby in style. They’re available now at Babies R Us locations nationwide. To learn more about them, visit the Munchkin website or watch their helpful (and very sweet) video.