My next door neighbor is expecting a baby any day now, and my husband and I have been talking about things we can do to help them out. So far all we've come up with are casserole deliveries and an offer to have their older child come live with us temporarily (what? my kids love him and sometimes it's just easier to be down to one kid, especially in those early days). But I wanted to take her something else, something really gift-y, but since we already know that my friend is having a girl, she's maxed out on gifts, or so I thought.

And then I remembered the Diaper Cake. Specifically, I remembered the diaper cake that Chris Jordan created for Alpha Mom. What makes this diaper cake different? It's held together by a bottle of champagne. "Instead of playing the good girl, you could put a bottle of a scotch in there. Or whiskey. Or vodka. Well, you get the idea. Other guests might talk about you afterward in hushed tones, but in a few months the new parents will be thanking you. Especially if you have tucked a couple pair of earplugs in there too."

Chris has provided detailed instructions, with photos, to walk you through the assembly. I would suggest not using the newborn size diapers, but going up one size, so that the new mom and dad can actually USE them. You could also leave out the alcohol, if you chose, and support the whole cake with a rolled up blanket, but really, why?