Here is a list of supplies for all of my custom baby gifts. Each supply has notes that include good and cheap places to buy these items, tips, etc. Some have links to help you further. I have listed each item in alphabetic order for your convenience.
NOTE--I did not want to link Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby a gazillion times, so that's why they are not linked beyond this point. ;)
Baby Items- I have broken down the items in the following list:
- blankets - Sometimes you can get lucky and find cute receiving blankets at Dollar General or Dollar Tree (or other dollar store), and it's worth stopping by and looking once in a while, but most times I buy packs (usually sold in four packs) from Wal-Mart. Target is a little pricer, but they, by far, have the cutest blanket styles. If you are selling cakes, make sure you can use all of the blankets in the pack for future cakes before buying.
- bottle brush - Some Wal-Marts have a brand for $.96 and Dollar Tree sells them for $1.00.
- diapers - When I create or sell diaper cakes I use Luvs diapers. They are good diapers (I use them on my own baby) and cost effective. Some mothers don't care which diapers they receive in a gift, but some are very particular. I would sometimes receive requests for Huggies diapers only, and if I did, I would charge a little more to cover the extra cost. If you choose to use the store brand diapers, make sure you let the buyer know up front. Also, be careful not to call any low budget diapers "Premium Diapers" as I have seen before in eBay listings as this may be misleading. Remember that all brands and sizes are different thicknesses, so you may need to readjust your diaper count to compensate.
- hair brush or comb - The best deals I've seen are brush/comb sets at Dollar General or Wal-Mart for $1.00. If you can't find this, the next best thing is another style at Wal-Mart. NOTE-It is really hard to find various colors in brushes and combs-the usual color available is blue.
- hygiene items - Sample-sized baby lotions, shampoos, creams, etc. can be found in six packs at Wal-Mart in the baby bathing section. These are the perfect size to stuff into a diaper cake. Usually Wal-Mart has 5-6 boxes on the shelf at a time, so if you are selling, grab as many as you can when you get the chance. I have researched these packs online in bulk and it is still cheaper at Wal-Mart.
- pacifiers - Cheapest at dollar stores if you can find them, but if not, Wal-Mart is the next best buy.
- spoons/forks - I usually buy the packs of eight hard plastic disposable (but can be reused) spoons and forks from Wal-Mart.
- stuffed animals/baby toys/toppers - A dollar store may work for some generalized toppers (i.e. frog, duck, etc.), but for special toppers (i.e. Elmo, Dora, etc.) you will need to buy at Wal-Mart, or even Toys R Us/Babies R Us.(shop wisely as you don't want to break your budget) Sometimes you can find cute animals at Oriental Trading's website, but keep in mind that they are usually smaller than they appear.
- wash cloths - I always buy mine in packs at Dollar Tree because it is, by far, the cheapest place to buy them and the quality is nice. The next best place would be Wal-Mart.
Cake Boards - I buy mine at Wal-Mart in the cake decorating section. I believe the cost at Hobby Lobby is comparable.
Cellophane Bags & Wrap - I have always bought my bags from Creative Gift Packaging because it is VERY hard to find cellophane bags in bulk in a size big enough to hold a diaper cake. You can buy single bags at Hobby Lobby, but they are pricey. You can also use cellophane rolls instead of bags to wrap cakes in.(make sure roll is big enough) I often use cello rolls on my diaper cupcakes.
Dowel Rods - It is best to buy a pack of the same size, around 14" long. I buy mine at Wal-Mart in the craft section.
Flowers - This has changed over the years. A few years ago you could buy several types of fake flowers, small and big, in Wal-Mart's craft section, but now every Wal-Mart is different. Some, like my local store, has a very limited selection of flowers now. If this is your case as well, buy your flowers at a craft store like Hobby Lobby.(the prices aren't bad either) When using the big flower as a topper, it's nice to have a flower with wire on the back so you can attach it to the dowel rod. When using the little flower buds, it's nice that they, too, have a wire stem so you can stuff it into the diapers. The flower buds usually come in packs of twelve.
Hot Glue Gun & Refills - The best hot glue gun I have ever purchased was at Hobby Lobby for $1.99. I prefer the small, cheap kind because they are easy to handle, heat up fast and are CHEAP.(easy to replace, although I haven't had to yet) Refills can be bought at Hobby Lobby or Wal-Mart's craft section for about the same price each.
Lace - A small selection of lace can be found in spools at Wal-Mart, but Hobby Lobby has a ton of choices. You DO have to take the time to get it cut at Hobby Lobby.
Party Favors - Little baby party favors are usually cheapest at Wal-Mart in their cake decorating section. There is a wider variety at Hobby Lobby, but they are pricey.
Ribbon - I almost always buy my satin/wide/thin/curling ribbon at Wal-Mart unless I need a special color, then I go to Hobby Lobby. I mostly do this as a matter of convenience because I can pick up everything at Wal-Mart and I don't have to get the ribbon cut in yards like Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby DOES have a much greater selection by far and they have their curling ribbon in large spools which is a WAY better deal than Wal-Mart.
Rubber Bands - It is best to buy a pack of rubber bands that are all the same size.
Scissors - I use cheap scissors to cut my tape. I usually buy pairs at Dollar Tree for $1.00. You can use cheap scissors to cut your ribbon as well, but it is helpful to have a nice, sharp pair.(your work will look cleaner too) You can buy nice scissors anywhere, I buy mine at Wal-Mart.
Tape - I use packing/shipping tape because it is strong enough to hold a blanket or diaper in place, but won't ruin either. I recommend using a name brand because the cheaper ones sometimes aren't very sticky.
For more information on diaper tool belt items, click here.
