12 DIY Baby Shower Gifts for the Precious New Arrival

The stroller and car seat are all taken care of, and you want something extra special for the new parent(s). What better way to make that happen than with DIY baby shower gifts?

If you’re looking for DIY baby shower gift ideas, you’re in the right place! Explore some of our all-time favorite ideas and inspiration to help you DIY and craft your way to the perfect gift.

12 of the Best DIY Baby Shower Gift Ideas

A DIY baby shower gift is a wonderful way to express your love and care for someone and their new baby. Consider these fun and creative gift ideas for every level of DIYer — whether you love to sew, take photos, or put together thoughtful gift baskets.

1. Handmade Photo Album

A handmade photo album is one of our favorite DIY baby shower gifts. Not only is a bespoke or customized photo album a lovely gift by itself, but the idea that it becomes a treasured keepsake makes it even better.

Bind your own photo album or buy a blank kraft version that you can customize with paper, fabric, illustrations, stickers, or other materials. Write a sweet note on the inside cover with well wishes for an extra personal touch.

2. Diaper Cake

Whether the expectant parents plan to use cloth diapers or disposable, they’ll likely need plenty of them — spares are always more than welcome! With this in mind, put together a DIY diaper cake for a fun way to present this practical gift for the new baby.

Diaper cakes are easy to assemble, especially if you follow this diaper cake tutorial. Apart from the diapers themselves, all you’ll need is some ribbon or twine to tie the layers together and some decorative elements like paper flowers or bows.

3. Customized Storage Tote

Those first few days, weeks, and months for the new mom are often spent at home. Having those essentials close by makes all the difference. Give her the perfect place to keep all those must-haves with a customized storage tote.

Pick up a tote bag, ideally one with a variety of pockets or separators, then add your personal touch. If you’re handy with a sewing machine or hand stitching, customize it that way. If you’re not exactly a pro with thread and needle, no worries! Look for iron-on decals with the baby’s name (if you know it) or simply “Baby” or “Mom’s stuff” or “Dad’s stuff” for a beginner-friendly DIY option. Your gift recipient will love it just the same!

4. Personalized Baby Blanket

If you’re comfortable with big crafting projects, a personalized baby blanket is the perfect gift idea. Whether you knit, sew, or crochet a blanket (or simply want to add embroidery to a store-bought blanket), this is a sweet and thoughtful keepsake gift the family can keep forever.

You can personalize a swaddle blanket, receiving blanket, patchwork blanket, or any small blanket with the baby’s name, initials, or a sweet phrase like “little one” or “darling.”

5. Customized Diaper Bag

Babies require a lot of equipment, which makes having a diaper bag an essential for most parents. If they don’t already have one, consider adding a bit of flair to a diaper bag as a thoughtful DIY baby shower gift.

Think about the recipient’s preferred colors and styles, then personalize a bag to match. You can add a monogram to the pockets or give it a crafty touch by adding patches (ideal for beginner DIYers) or embroidery.

6. Photo Shoot

Have a knack for taking awesome photos? Your talent could translate into the perfect baby shower gift. You could provide this gift in a few different ways. Offer to take photos of the baby shower or baby sprinkle itself as a gift, plan a pre-baby photo shoot of the parent(s) to capture this exciting time, or give a handmade gift certificate for a photo shoot with the new baby once the bundle of joy arrives.

7. Nursery Room Decoration

Many parents love to decorate their baby’s nursery. If you’re familiar with their taste and nursery room theme, you could create a DIY room decoration as a gift. This works well if you’ve seen the space and have a particular talent for graphic design, illustration, or interior styling.

A handmade poster or art print is a great gift to enhance the walls in a nursery, or you could create some personalized bunting for a shelf in the room. Other creative ideas include making a mobile, painting wooden letters that spell out the baby’s name, or customizing a piece of small furniture or storage container.

8. Personalized Baby Clothes

If you know the baby’s name or have a sweet word or phrase in mind, customizing cute baby clothes is one of the best (and easiest!) DIY baby shower gifts. Find a onesie, baby bib, or baby hat (or all three) and add a custom element with embroidery or non-toxic fabric paint.

If you’re not particularly crafty, you can still make this DIY baby shower gift idea work. Simply request a custom design from a creator on a marketplace like Etsy and either iron a decal onto the clothes or have it done on demand.

9. Personalized Memory Book

There are so many milestone moments and tiny memories that parents want to hold on to forever. Give them the gift of a memory book as a homemade baby shower gift and they’ll never forget those little details that tell their baby’s story.

Buy a scrapbook and add personal touches like a customized front and back cover, a handwritten note, and some prompts for the parents. Bundle this together with a few scrapbooking supplies and stickers for a truly thoughtful gift.

10. Baby Gift Basket

DIY baby shower gifts don’t have to involve arts or crafts at all — in fact, one of the best handmade gift ideas is a basket filled with baby items and little extras for the new bundle of joy.

Find a basket or gift bag and add various essentials, treats, and baby accessories. Items like baby socks, mittens, booties, burp cloths, pacifier clips, washcloths, baby wash, nail scissors, teethers, and baby-safe toys are all great ideas.

11. Care Kit for Mom(s) or Dad(s)

The new baby will be doted on by so many people, but it’s easy to overlook the new mom-to-be (or dad-to-be) when it comes to gifts. Prepare a thoughtful gift basket or care kit for the parent(s) to help them through those early days.

If possible, ask the gift recipient what they’d appreciate most — or reach out to the person who’s planning the baby shower. Then, fill a basket or box with treats for the expecting parent, such as a new pair of PJs, cozy slippers, lotion, lip balm, and their favorite snacks.

12. Gift Card or Gift Certificate

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Card inspiration: Happy for You Card

It might not be the first idea that springs to mind when you think of DIY baby shower gifts, but a gift card is a thoughtful and practical gesture — whether you opt for a handwritten note, store-bought card, or a digital gift card.

To give your recipients plenty of choice, consider using Greenvelope to send a baby congratulations card and add a digital gift card. You can customize our online cards by changing the layout, colors, fonts, and wording — or upload your own design if you’re feeling creative. 

Whatever you decide, you can use the online card to craft a thoughtful congratulations message and send it within seconds via email or text!

Express Your Joy with These DIY Baby Shower Gifts

The best baby shower gifts are often those that have a personal touch. Whether you’re handy with the sewing machine, enjoy taking photos, or can whip up a gift basket, there are plenty of ways to share thoughtful handmade gifts that match your skill set.

If you’re looking for a baby shower card that also has a DIY element, you can’t go wrong with Greenvelope’s congratulations cards! Our customizable designs give you the chance to add your own flair and personalize it for the gift recipient. It’s a wonderful (and easy) way to show you care.