Welcome Home basket ideas

I received one of these type baskets with my first placement and let me tell you it was wonderful!! It had a package of appropriate size diapers, wipes, Desitin, sample bottles of bedtime bath and lotion, a Baby Lullaby CD, a box of yummy chocoates, some flavored instant coffee, a coupon for a place that delivers yummy meals, and best of all...a list of respite workers with their phone numbers and one 3 hour respite already set up!! I was SO shocked, I had NO idea we would be getting this and I was all emotional anyways, so I burst into tears!! LOL!! Now I want to do one for somebody so my agency is going to give me the name and number of their next first placement. What a wonderful idea!! Kinda Pay It Forward thinking and I just love that!! You are an awesome person! Hugs, Vickie

Thanks for the ideas. The diapers and wipes and such are the type of items I have had donated by their manufacturers but I had not thought of the list of respite workers and the coupon for a food delivery service. That is great!!!! Dawn

I am so glad you posted this, I need to remind my worker to let me know when someone is getting a first placement. I know it meant alot to me that someone (who I didn't even know and now am good friends with) thought what we were doing was a great thing. I still have the cute basket with the pink and blue ribbons on it and will use it for my gift to the next newbie. The now friend said she still does it occasionally. In older kids baskets, she puts an appropriate video, a board book, a cool sippy cup, a nightlight, etc. I can ask her for more ideas too. Hugs to you, Vickie

Hi, I love this idea too. We have a local foster care and adoption support group that does something similar but I'd love to do it on my own too. For tiny infants: Diapers Wipes Burp Rags Bibs Receiving blanket The baby soaps/shampoos Baby lotion socks onesies Baby nail clippers Thermometer Lotion for mom (her hands will be getting dried out from washing them so much) Serenity candle for mom to help her relax For older babies: Diapers Wipes Bibs Teething rings Musical toys like key rings, etc. Baby food Q-tips I love the list of respite providers idea and that someone took the initiative to set up a night of respite care in advance. Thanks for doing this. As a mom to 3 young one's I love this idea. Michelle

I LOVE the basket idea - how awesome!! I have an idea (it's probably because I have two home based businesses - one selling baskets and the other selling scrapbooking supplies).....how about baby/toddler stickers that you could use for scrapbooking purposes? You could even purchase those "quote" type of stickers that you use to stick around photos. These items could be purchased or donated anywhere from your dollar stores to your craft type of stores. Some of these stores even have discounts and special deals - so I have heard. If the placement is long-term, you could even use these stickers to keep track of the important milestones of a baby/toddler's life. When we had our fs placed with us, he was 15-months old. He was only our second placement. Our first was our 15-year old fd that we had for six months. We didn't receive a basket or anything for either. Not sure what you would have put in a basket for us when the 15-year old was placed with us. Oh yes, now I remember, you could have purchased: ear plugs, aspirin, phone cards and etc.!!!!!!!:rolleyes: Once again, what an awesome idea - keep up the good work. Christina

I love this idea. I wonder if our CAS does this for new foster parents? I'm going to ask and then offer to help set it up, if it's not already in place. Everybody has great ideas for the infants and childrens baskets but what I really liked was the idea of something for the foster parents themselves. The respite numbers, hand cream and dinner coupons and candles were great ideas. I think a basket with a mixture of things for both kids and adults is a good idea. I know as a mom I can get just as excited (or more) about things for my kids, as I can about things for myself. Hmmm, now Im excited. This could be a fun new project. Warm Wishes.....Teagans Mama

what perfect idea, i have been trying to think of a way to give back to new foster parents since my current foster/adopt placement will most likely be my last (for a while til my kids grow up). i am going to pm you to see how you started this, if you don't mind. good job!

I would also suggest a nice soft blanket like fleece. I have had a daughter with a lot of medical problems and also we have a drug affected daughter and both have found comfort and security in their special soft blanket.

How about a disposable camera and maybe a gift card to video store? Sounds like a GREAT project! Diaen

Thanks everyone...your ideas were helpful. I am ready to go shopping in a few days and purchase the rest of the items I need. Thanks so much! Dawn

I would say items for parents like microwave popcorn packs, maybe some movie rental certificates, Maybe a brochure or something on basic baby care tips, and a list of essentials that they may not think to get later on (things we forgot were nailclippers, baby comb, etc). Tips on how to swaddle a baby (we had no idea) and maybe a list of helpful phone numbers.