Two years ago a couple I know had an apartment fire, two weeks before their first baby was due. Their friends rallied around and organized to help provide a place to stay and other necessities. My assignment was to come up with a newborn baby gift basket. So I sat down to make a list of possible giftbasket ideas.

Because another friend of mine was donating a large supply of lightly-used rompers, sleepers, and coats, I decided that my friends would probably find a baby travel-kit most useful. I found my list of baby shower gift ideas and narrowed down the items to a short list.

They would need travel clothes for the baby. This included an easy-to-remove gown for sleeping and a bodysuit for the baby's more active hours. And the baby would need outerwear. So I included a soft hat to keep that sure-to-be bald head warm, soft shoes, and a matching blanket. All of this needed to be in easily washable fabrics.

Babies eat frequently and messily, so I included two terrycloth bibs and a soft washcloth. Since all babies require toilet accessories, I also added two cloth diapers and two disposable ones. (Even the most environmentally-conscious parents eventually find a disposable diapers to be useful.) I also included several small dish towels to act as clothing protectors for when someone burped the baby. A small package of baby wipes is also a very good thing to have - so I included two.

All newborn baby gift baskets have to include a toy for the baby. I didn't know the baby's sex - our friends had wanted to find out when the child was born. So I had to pass up the stuffed truck and the rag doll. I chose instead a pale yellow stuffed duck.

Packed into a cheerful vinyl diaper bag, this made an ideal newborn baby gift basket. But new parents need more than just things to help them really enjoy their new child. So the last thing I included was a note, promising several nights of babysitting later on, when they need a little time alone together.