How to Make a Diaper Cake for a Twin Absentee Shower

Twins are on the way. This is an exciting time for everyone. Mommy and Daddy are going to need twice as many items and a room full of diapers. There's also a big problem. Mommy is on bed rest or lives a great distance away and she can't be with her family and friends at a shower. Not to worry, Grandmom, siblings or a best friend can put together an absentee shower. Invite guests and request that they bring a certain item to include in this great party project. The shower will include a party where attendees will help assemble the diaper cake. Photos will be taken and goodies will be eaten. The diaper cake will be lovingly packaged up and shipped or hand delivered to Mommy.

First of all you need to pick a theme to go by. Naturally a twin theme is in store but what direction will you take it? If you know the sex of the babies the theme can be based on several things. This is a list of possible themes for your diaper cake. Girls only: princesses, bears, angels, two peas in a pod and double blessings or double trouble, monkeys ; Boys: farm, Bob the Builder, frogs and bugs, boats, Daddy's favorite baseball or football team and cowboys. Boy and Girl twins, Noah'sArk, Jack and Jill, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Dora and Diego, double blessing , double trouble, Two for 1, prince and princess, etc. You get the idea.
The invitations will reflect the theme you have chosen. When you fill out the invitation ask the guest to please bring a certain item like a package of baby socks. Request that each person RSVP so that you have all items required. If desired ask if they want to provide a money gift and do the shopping on your own. My family has pooled gift cash before to buy a specific item for a new Mom.

Materials needed
2 tier cake 48 to 60 newborn disposable diapers, 3 tier cake 100 newborn diapers If you want to send larger diapers you will need 60 to 70 size one swaddlers for up to a 15 pound baby for a 3 tier cake. Cloth diapers can be substituted. You may need to practice first to see how tightly they should be rolled. Baby blankets folded in half lengthwise and pinned in place can be icing on the cloth diaper cake if desired.
2 theme based stuffed toys
1 to 2 packages baby socks in theme colors
2 sets of hairbrushes and combs
2 rattles
2 pairs of baby shoes if desired
2 teething toys
1 set fingernail clippers and 1 thermometer
Small bottles of baby shampoo, lotion, diaper rash ointment, syrup of Ipecac
A baby bottle filled with sterile ear swabs or cotton balls for belly button umbilical cord care
A package of clear or light colored elastic bands, one per diaper.
8 yards of 1 to 2 inch wide ribbon with print or color to match the theme
Curling ribbon and silk flowers to compliment the diaper cake twin theme and colors
16" round cake cardboard which can be found at cake, party or craft store or cut out a circle from heavy cardboard
A roll of white or clear medical adhesive tape
White kitchen or packing twine
1 small scrapbook and scrapbook paper with an archival pen
Tulle, nylon net or cellophane to wrap diaper cake in for a see through presentation
packing box and material
Tools: scissors, sewing measuring tape and cool melt glue gun

Pre-party Arrange secretly with friend or husband of mommy-to-be to have a phone close by during the hour before the party is over. The group can give her a call and include her in the day while they enjoy refreshments. Decorate party area and prepare refreshments. Get the camera ready and have access to a developer so photos can be sent with the diaper cake for twins package. Sketch a rough drawing of how you want the cake to look for a guideline.

Party Day Have an area to assemble the diaper cake for twins. Make sure that someone takes photos throughout the party. Guests can begin by opening diaper package. Each diaper must be rolled tightly and bound with an elastic. You can unfold the diaper first before rolling if that is easier. When diapers are all rolled and banded with elastics double check that all are uniform in tightness and size. Have guests write notes of advice on scrapbook paper while you and another crafty participant assemble the tiers. Cut a 20 inch length of twine. Take baby bottle and surround it with five or six rolled up diapers. One of you should hold the bottle and diapers flat on the table surface while the other encircles the items with the twine and ties a firm note to hole all in a secure circle.
This is your top tier. Place cake cardboard on table and arrange approximately 30 diapers for bottom tier. You will be able to tell if that looks right with your cardboard just peeking out around the edges. Encircle with twine and cut to size, tie and knot twine to secure bottom layer in place. Use measuring tape to encircle bottom layer. Add 4" to this number and cut a piece of the decorative 1 to 2 " wide ribbon. Wrap around bottom tier to cover the twine. Glue gun by overlapping excess ribbon in back of the 'cake'. Repeat process for middle tier with 15 to 20 diapers. To keep tiers in place use medical tape to affix bottom layer to cardboard, tier 2 to bottom tier and top tier to tier 2. Use tape sparingly so mommy can take assembly apart without tearing diapers.
Carefully decorate cake with all the twin items. Shoes can be tied together and placed one pair on each side of the 'cake'. Carefully insert smaller items between diapers or behind twine. Be careful, you do not want to snap the twine so do not force an item into place. Tie stuffed toys together and set on top tier. 'Garnish' with bows of curling ribbon and silk flowers. Flowers can be glued to ribbon bands on each tier.
For theme, color and decorating ideas you can see commercially advertised diaper cakes at Etsy.com, eBay and lilbabycakes.com Diaper cakes for twins sell for $40.00 to well over $100.00. This wonderful gift will be very special for your loved Mommy-to-Be.

Scrapbook greeting card The small scrapbook will be the enclosure card. After photos are taken get them printed off and quickly affix them to the scrapbook paper with archival double stick tape. The messages the guests have written will also be placed in the book.

Wrap Wrap well and pack safely to keep the diaper cake for twins with scrapbook enclosure from being jostled apart in shipping. Wait for a happy phone call!