Nothing is more exciting than experiencing the Christmas season with a little one along for the ride. Something about a new baby makes the magic of the season truly come alive. So bring on the giggles, naps beside the Christmas tree, and sneaks of sweet treats if your little one is of age–the holidays are almost here and will no doubt be extra special this year.
Whether you choose to commemorate your baby’s first year of life and baby’s first Christmas with an inaugural ornament, kick off the want/need/wear/read philosophy, or gift them with so many presents they get tired of opening them, let Truly Mama guide you with some tried and true gift ideas for baby’s first Christmas.
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- How to choose a Christmas gift for babies
- Best for magical play: Balu Organics Large Ball Pit
- Best stuffed animal toy: My First Pet from ebba
- Best for building balance: Lily & River Little Surfer balance board
- Best for new walkers: Radio Flyer wagon walker
- Best for little explorers: Multicolored play tunnel
- Best for guacamole lovers: Arnold the Avocado teether
- Best for new teethers: Sweet Cheeks Teether
- Best for new readers: Indestructibles No-Tear Books
- Best for little feminists: Little Feminist Board Book Set
- Best sensory book: Friendly Faces on the Farm Sensory Book
- Best book set: Baby Lit books
- Best for burgeoning cowgirls and boys: Rody Bouncy Horse
- Best for busy fingers: Dimple Digits
- Best for busy little bees: Busy Activity Beehive
- Best play gym: Lovevery Play Gym
- Best first puzzle: Melissa & Doug Jumbo Knob Puzzle
- Best first footwear gift: Freshly Picked baby moccasins
- Best for sweet dreams: Dohm Elite Sound Machine
- Best for playtime: ABC Convertible Baby Activity Teepee
- Best for hand-eye coordination: Djeco Tapatou Chicken
How to Choose a Christmas Gift for Babies
Choosing a Christmas gift for babies might seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! There really is no “right” or “wrong” first Christmas gift you can give your baby, so have fun with it–you get to make the rules year. Here are some commonly-asked questions parents might have about babies’ first Christmas:
What do you put in a baby’s first Christmas stocking?
Think ahead to the upcoming year; search developmental milestones for year 1-2 and let that guide your gift buying. I also love to fill stockings with consumables like new and favorite snacks, bath toys, toddler silverware, new socks, and laminated photos of family members so they can practice facial recognition.
What is the best gift to give a newborn baby?
Newborns grow and develop so fast! Rather than gifting based on their current size and skills, think ahead a few months. By spring will they be ready for new shoes? By summer will they be excited to crawl all over a small outdoor play structure?
Of course, it is always a good idea to ask the parents what they need most. Maybe some necessary items were forgotten on the baby registry. Christmas is the perfect time to fill in those gaps.
What gifts do new moms really want?
Don’t forget about mom! New moms love thoughtful gifts, but if you really want to wow a new parent consider gifting a service rather than buying something at the store. Surprise her with a massage, a housecleaning service, or a meal delivery subscription like Hello Fresh or Daily Harvest.
Of course, so you have something to wrap up with the certificate or email confirmation pair a massage with a lotion or essential oil, a housecleaning with a new sponge or fragrant dish soap, and a meal delivery service with a fancy bar of chocolate for a special dessert after their healthy meal. And you can check out our full list of gifts for moms for more ideas.
Ok, now, let’s dive right into the best Christmas gifts for babies and toddlers!
20 Christmas Gifts for Babies
Best for Magical Play
Balu Organics Large Ball Pit
I honestly can't think of anything more fun for baby's first Christmas than this magical ball pit set. Not only does it look downright adorable (just imagine those holiday photos!), but it will provide tons of entertainment for your baby, even as they grow. Plus, this isn't your old-school plastic ball pit: this thing is upgraded with safety features for modern parents, including a pit made of soy-based foam with a 100% organic cotton outer and chemical-free, BPA-free LPDE plastic balls.
Best Stuffed Animal Toy
Ebba My First Pet
Soft and sweet, the My First Pet set is the perfect size for little hands. With a tiny house that holds a bunny, puppy, bird, and kitty your baby is sure to love these first pets. There is also a chicken coop farm version that is equally precious if your family vibe is a bit more country.
Best for Building Balance
Lily & River Little Surfer Balance Board
Talk about a gift that will grow your baby’s development and last for years. Wooden balance boards are the perfect indoor crawling base, reading wedge, stool, table, and more. Gift it young and watch it expand your child’s horizons for years to come.
Best for New Walkers
Classic Wagon Walker from Radio Flyer
Radio Flyer has been a classic Christmas gift for decades. We particularly love the classic wagon walker as it acts as a sit to stand toddler toy, early walker assistance, and book or toy storage when it is parked.
Best for Little Explorers
Play Tunnel
Little crawlers adore the fun and excitement of tunnel play. One of my babies thought it was so fun to haul all his toys and books inside and then pretend to be stuck. We have had many laughs thanks to our play tunnel.
Best for Avocado Lovers
Arnold the Avocado Teether
This non-toxic, fully natural teether is just as adorable as it is functional. We predict lots of guacamole in your future together, and that's a beautiful thing. Just, you know, be sure to remove any pits from the real deal once you get to that stage.
Best for New Teethers
Sweet Cheeks Teether
This teething ring really takes it up a notch--it has a rounded shape that allows little hands an easy grip, no matter which way they grab. Plus it combines silicone and a beaded design for just the right amount of resistance for sore gums and those first few teefies.
Best for New Readers
Indestructibles No-Tear Books
No matter what you buy as your baby’s big gift, be sure to add an Indestructibles no-tear book or two. The illustrations are amazing and they are truly up to the test of baby hands.
Best for Budding Feminists
Little Feminist Board Book Set
For budding little feminists, introduce four famous female leaders in who were pioneers, artists, leaders, and activists. Brought to you by MudPuppy, these books featuring illustrations by Lydia Ortiz and words by Emily Kleinman are the perfect blend of colorful and inspirational (and the whole family will probably learn something too!)
Best Sensory Book
Friendly Faces on the Farm Sensory Book
What's better than a book for baby? A fold-out, accordion-style, 8-page book full of fun sounds and textures to explore, of course! This book has it all: crinkly sounds hidden in the pages, fun and friendly faces to "meet" around farm-inspired scenes, high-contrast images that help stimulate your baby's cognitive development. And best of all? It's non-toxic and machine-washable.
Best Book Set
Baby Lit Books
If you want to raise a little reader, kick off their library with a few Baby Lit books. These classic board books were created with babies in mind and take beautiful literature like The Secret Garden and Don Quixote and make them baby friendly.
Best for Cowgirls and Boys
Rody Bouncing Horse
Oh Rody, you are the cutest horse around! Forget a traditional rocking horse and invest in Rody for hours of balance practice, bouncing, and standing assistance. Add the rocking base to turn your Rody from a bouncing horse into a true rocking horse. The pump is included, so it's super convenient for hours of fun too.
Best for Little Fingers
Dimple Digits
Made of safe silicone, Dimple Digits is a colorful, on-the-go toy that encourages fine motor skills, early counting practice, and color identification. And as you build your little one’s toy selection definitely pursue all of Fat Brain Toys options, because they have some spectacular infant toys.
Best for Busy Little Bees
Busy Activity Beehive
Your baby may not be able to sample honey yet, but they can enjoy all the fun of buzzing bees and their hive with Fisher-Price’s Busy Activity Hive. Ideal for babies 9 months and older, this toy features real wood details plus a metal bell and other textures to engage their senses.
Best Play Gym
Lovevery Play Gym
The Lovevery Play Gym is an award-winning activity gym designed by child development experts. Recommended starting from birth and up to a year of play, the play gym is both eco-friendly and perfect for parents who want to introduce Montessori teachings early to their little ones. It includes plenty of hands-on sensory toys, from a black-and-white contrast ball to a silicone teething ring to hidden surprises.
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Best First Puzzle
Melissa & Doug dominates the wood toy category of toys and their puzzles for babies are absolute perfection - sturdy, cute, and long-lasting. This jumbo knob one is the perfect first puzzle and can be used for babies from one year and up.
Best First Shoes Gift
Freshly Picked Moccasins
Do babies and toddler care about new shoes? Probably not! But, toddler shoes are darling and eventually, even essential. This first pair of shoes is so convenient, thanks to easy-clean 100% leather and elastic closures that will fit even the most adorably chubby of feet. These are made in the USA and with some imported materials and feature multiple sizes and colors.
Best for the Gift of Sleep
Dohm Elite Sound Machine
Go for a practical baby gift that will get used every single day…maybe multiple times a day! The Dohm Elite Sound Machine is one of the best and an item that will give back day after day, year after year. Because, let’s face it, the gift of peaceful sleep is a great one! Available in charcoal, or white with accents in blue, pink, green, or gray.
Best for Playtime
ABC Convertible Baby Activity Teepee
Outfit your little one with a reading and play corner with a kids tent front and center. A large gift like this will become the perfect hangout in the year to come. Be sure Santa plans time to get it all set up BEFORE gift giving begins so your little one can crawl right in and explore right away. Plus, this version will grow with your child, because it starts as a play mat, then you can add the teepee and toys later on.
Best Toy for Boosting Hand-Eye Coordination
Musical Chicken
This adorable wooden hen is the perfect way to boost your baby's hand-eye coordination, and have fun while doing it. This super-fun musical instrument toy includes: 1 cymbal, 5-bar xylophone, 1 maraca tail, 2 clacking wings that double as drums and detachable wooden mallets on the back. Plus, the tail feathers of this wood chicken can be removed and double as a maraca.
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