Preparing homemade baby food becomes easy when new parents are provided with all the tools they need in a handy and attractive gift basket. Ideal for a baby shower, the kit contains the essentials for making vitamin-rich fruit and vegetable purees, along with a few items to make mealtimes more appealing.

To assemble a baby-food starter kit, line an appropriately sized basket with a dishcloth and fill it with cooking tools for steaming and pureeing, such as a food mill, strainer, collapsible strainer, and slotted spoon. Include laminated recipe cards, an ice-cube tray to freeze single-serving portions, small and large resealable containers with labels, and supplies for feeding baby such as bibs, washcloths, bowls, and baby spoons. Tuck in a toy or two and an inspiring book, such as Maurice Sendak's "Chicken Soup with Rice," then attach a decorative ribbon.

Sources
Kmart
800-866-0086

Steamer
Food mill
Stainless-steel strainer
Ice-cube tray
Food-storage containers
Gerber infant spoons
Slotted spatula spoon
Available at local kitchen-supply stores

Avery multipurpose labels
Available at local office-supply stores

Recommended Reading
Maurice Sendak
"Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months" (HarperTrophy; 1991; $4.95)

Martha and David Kimmel
"Mommy Made and Daddy Too: Home Cooking for a Healthy Baby & Toddler" (Bantam Doubleday Dell, 2000; $16.95)

Rena Coyle
"Baby Let's Eat!" (Workman, 1987; $9.95)