One of my favorite baby shower gift ideas is the stork bundle. It’s great for working with a gift theme or putting together a collaborative shared gift where each person can throw those small, yet oh-so-essential items into the bundle. Collaborative gifts are perfect for work mates or other group-givers. Here’s how to make one.
Step 1 – Pick a baby carrier. This is going to double as your ‘bundle.’ Wrap carriers and sling styles work best for the stork bundle, but you can also use a structured carrier like a BabyBjorn if you think it’s more the mom-to-be’s style. I like to go with a simple cotton wrap, like a Moby, that comes with great instructions and videos, just in case the new mom is new to babywearing.
Step 2 – Pick a theme. It’s always nice and much easier when a gift bundle has a theme. Popular themes include bath time, diaper changes, footsies (all super-cute shoes and socks!), and even spa-time for mom. If you’re doing a collaborative gift bundle where all the shower attendees are including an item, then a theme will also help them choose what to give.
Step 3 – Consolidate. Fit everything into the baby carrier. If you went with a wrap, double and overlap it so you can get a full bundle effect on all sides without any spills. Tie up the top ends like a stork’s baby bundle. From here, you can add stork accents or any decorations that fit in with your shower’s theme.
Step 4 – Display and Give. Sometimes it’s fun to make the mom-to-be wear the baby carrier with all the gifts inside. Not only does it make for a fun game, but it also gives the guest of honor a chance to try it out and practice. If the mom-to-be does happen to be new to babywearing and you’re going with an option like the wrap, there are a number of books, articles you can print off the internet for free, or DVDs that you can include along with the product instructions that will help her along with her new baby carrier. You could even make a shower game out of learning all the different wrapping styles as each of the attendees takes timed turns trying their hand at baby wrapping!
When purchasing a baby carrier for someone else, try to consider size, use and their personal style. Some carriers, like baby slings or front packs, are great for newborns, while others are better for heavier toddlers. You should also consider the size of the wearer – some carriers are specifically sized, so a small pouch style won’t fit on a plus-size mom. Keep this in mind when shopping for a baby carrier.
As for personal style, when you start looking at the different baby carriers; from wraps to mei tais to slings to hiking packs, you’ll get a good feel for the varying looks. Some come in classic plain cotton while others use woven or printed fabrics. You’ll find the structured baby carriers, especially those designed for hiking, to be fairly high-tech and not very ’storky,’ but if you think that’s the style the mom-to-be would like best, then you shouldn’t sacrifice her tastes for your stork aesthetics. Personally, I always go with a simple baby wrap because it’s adjustable, versatile, affordable and easy to use.
