Assembling the Newborn Layette - The newborn layette is a collection of clothing and other items designed to give parents a handy bundle of necessary items with which to outfit their bundle of joy. The term “layette” is of French derivation and means “little box.” Apparently, the French thought giving new parents a box stuffed with child-rearing necessities was a good idea and that tradition continues today.

There are a million and one newborn layette gift sets. These carefully themed, matching collections of necessary clothing and extras can make a wonderful gift. A newborn layette may include socks, a receiving blanket, a gown and other essentials. If you need to purchase a baby gift and are searching for an idea, you might want to consider one of these pre-packaged layettes.

Others may decide to assemble a newborn layette package from scratch. If that’s your idea of great baby gift giving, consider the following observations about putting together an unforgettable layette.

First, remember consistency. Strive to have the items within your newborn layette package match in color, pattern and fabric. The items don’t necessarily need to be identical, but a high degree of consistency makes for a more attractive presentation and ties the gift together nicely. A mismatched layette may seem random and won’t convey just how hard you worked to build the perfect gift.

Second, remember to cover the basics. There is no limit to what you can put in a newborn layette, but there are a few items that are expected. Socks or booties and a blanket, for instance, are standard features of most newborn layette sets and their absence in your gift might be more noticeable than the wonderful extras you included. Layette "assembly" can be a creative enterprise, but one should remember that in order for a layette to live up to expectations, they basics must be handled successfully.

Third, presentation is important. You could hand over the layette items one at a time, but there is something appealing about returning to the original meaning of the word “layette” when gift giving. You can make your gift more stunning and communicate just how important you think the occasion of the child’s birth is by presenting the layette as a package. Whether you actually use a “little box” or go with more of a gift basket motif, it’s wonderful to present the layette as a bundled item.

Fourth, be creative. Yes, there are a few things you probably should do for all layettes, but after those basics are covered, take advantage of an opportunity to be creative. Add a few extras one might not expect in a layette. Invent a theme that others might not have considered. This is one of the great aspects of giving a layette. You have a real chance to display your creativity by putting together a one-of-a-kind package for the new arrival!

Whether you give a store-bought collection of baby items purchased as a group or spend days assembling the perfect assortment of baby essentials, a newborn layette can make an absolutely fantastic gift for both the infant and his or her parents. You have many choices for baby gifts, but a well thought out newborn layette may be the best choice of all.