Baby showers are parties that celebrate a couple's newborn or expected baby, and they're extremely popular in Western countries. They're also gaining popularity in other parts of the world, and while some customs and traditions may vary, the couple always receives gifts from friends, relatives, and well-wishers during the party.

Getting invited to a baby shower is always delightful, but the thought of buying a gift may be a little scary for some people, especially if they don't know very much about the couple and expected baby. How can you be sure if they'll appreciate the gift you had in mind? This is where baby shower baskets can be useful – instead of buying a single gift item, fill a baby basket or a toy wagon with several. Pretty, well-prepared baskets make great new baby gifts, and the couple will love you for it.

Of course, putting a gift basket together can be tricky. You'll have to decide on a central theme for the basket, since a theme would help you pick out the appropriate gift items to fill it with. For instance, do you want to work with a “froggy” theme? A “sports” theme? Maybe you'd like to play on the father's occupation? The sky's virtually the limit when it comes to choosing a theme for your gift basket. Here are a few ideas to help you along.

1.) Gourmet cookies. The traditional baby shower is a woman-only affair, and sweets such as pastries, cakes, and other desserts are usually served. A basket of gourmet cookies, shaped like baby items such as bottles, rattles, and bibs, can prove to be a fun addition to the celebrant's menu. You can have these cookies baked and personalized to make your gift even more meaningful.

2.) Cigars made of chocolate. If the new baby is going to be a boy, it might also be fun to give the new or expectant mom a gift basket filled with cigar-shaped chocolate. Like gourmet cookies, they can be part of the menu for the party, and should make for some enjoyable conversation. This will also be a funny gift for an expectant mother who doesn't know the baby's sex just yet, but has implied that she wants a boy.

3.) Real cigars. Of course, not all baby-showers are for women only. Some baby showers have a separate portion of the house reserved for just the men, while some parties even have the men and women mixed together. When the men are around, a basket filled with some really good cigars can be a great way to celebrate the little guy, and the father would appreciate the gesture very much. Just make sure not to smoke in the same room as the baby boy!

4.) “Bookworm” basket. When you'd rather prepare a gift basket for the new baby, it's a thoughtful gesture to include books in the basket, even if the new baby won't be reading them until after a few years. We all know that children who are exposed to books at an early age are more likely to lead successful, happy lives, so preparing a “bookworm” themed basket is always a great idea.

It's also a good idea to use books that the parents themselves used to enjoy in their youth. These days, books by Dr Seuss (The Cat In The Hat) and Charles Shulz (Peanuts) are both highly-prized and highly-appreciated. If you give the gift basket during the baby shower, don't be surprised if they open it right away, placing the bookworm doll (usually a long, very colorful stuffed toy) in the baby's crib and opening the books for the guests. It'll be a very nostalgic party!

5.) Animal-themed gift baskets. It's never a bad idea to fill a basket with items that new babies and their parents will find useful, such as sleepwear, toys, books, and bath items. These gift baskets are easy and inexpensive to prepare, but they're a lot more fun when centered around themes – and animal themes can be some of the cutest themes you can think of.

An example of an animal theme would be a “froggy” theme. Put in a few stuffed frogs, some froggy sleepwear, some green-and-white towels, and maybe even a personalized “froggy” storybook. You can use the same guidelines to prepare a “bear” theme, a “puppy” theme, a “ducky” theme... the possibilities are only limited by your imagination and creativity.

6.) A welcome wagon. Instead of using a basket, you can instead use a toy wagon and fill it with items the new baby and their parents would find useful. A welcome wagon has its own advantages over a basket – the wagon itself can be used as a toy as the new baby gets older. It's also easier to sport a “guy” theme – such as with “Go Team!” baby shower baskets – with a welcome wagon. (This is obviously a great idea when both parents are avid fans of a professional sports team!)

7.) Stuffed toys. If you run out of ideas, you can always play it safe with a trio of stuffed toys placed in an appropriate basket. Stuffed toys and dolls are usually the new baby's first cribside companions, and they'll keep the little guy from getting bored too quickly. As an example of a good “stuffed toy” gift basket, fill a wicker or egg basket with farm animals, such as cows, ducks, sheep, chickens, and shaggy sheepdogs. It's easy to create “jungle” and “undersea” stuffed toy gift baskets, too.

Baby showers are great occasions to give gifts and show the couple how much you really care about them and their new bundle of joy. But be careful about giving gifts before the baby shower party itself – some customs and religions think it's bad luck to give gifts before the baby is born. Otherwise, go right ahead and walk through their door with your gift basket in hand – there's no doubt they'll greet you with smiles on their faces.