Christmas is a special occasion for family and friends to show love for each other, often through the exchanging of gifts. From monograms to keepsake items, personal gifts for baby are unique and say something about your personal relationship. Baby can never have too many diapers or outfits so practical gifts are a great option. As baby grows and develops, toys and books help stimulate baby's mind and give you something fun and new to experience alongside them.
Gift Ideas for Newborn-3 Month Olds
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Baby's first year is the perfect time to start a new tradition you can continue as they grow. A Christmas ornament series, such as one featuring the Sugar Plum Star Cookie Cutter Mouse Ornament, make it easy for you to give baby a complete set over her lifetime. This star shaped cookie cutter ornament with a tiny mouse sleeping inside is adorable and costs less than $15 from Hallmark. This one is the fourth in a series, but you can start at the beginning if you prefer. The average customer rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
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Newborns spend most of their days sleeping which makes a personalized lovey they can snuggle a great gift. The Giraffe Huggy Buddy from Things Remembered features a plush giraffe head with small blanket body lined in satin. The blanket part can be personalized with your choice of 32 colors and up to 8 characters. This machine washable lovey is a steal for under $30, including personalization.
Practical
- A gift cards often feels impersonal to the giver, but it can mean the world to the recipient. Help baby get outfitted in whatever he might need with a gift card to a one-stop baby shop with everything from baby essentials to gear like Target.com, so mom and dad won't even have to leave home. Available as an e-gift card or traditional gift card you can load these up with $15-500 and personalize them with a message and 4 designs to choose from.
- Babies grow at rapid rates and get pretty messy, so clothing will always be a great choice for a gift. Carter's is a trusted brand and store for all things baby apparel and offers some affordable sets for boys and girls. The Baby Girl 4-piece Take Me Home Set includes a white printed one piece sleeper, blue and pink footed pants, a pink onesie, and a pink cap. Available in sizes premie-9 months, this set sells for $13. For the future all-star in your life, the Baby Boy 4-Piece Take Me Home Set features a one piece jumpsuit in gray with sports ball print, a blue striped t-shirt, blue footed pants, and a cap resembling a baseball. This 100% cotton set comes in sizes newborn-9months for only $16.
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The Bright Starts Grab and Stack Blocks come as a 4 pack of soft blocks for $10 that rattle, jingle, and crinkle. Each block features a letter, number, character, and pattern to help baby learn as he grows. There are also loops on each block for attaching to the diaper bag or car seat when you are on the go.
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Car seats are a staple of baby's life, so why not help make it more fun! The Car Seat and Stroller Spiral Toy is a plush toy that wraps around the top bar of your stroller or car seat. A soft flower, spider, and bug for baby to squeak, rattle, and crinkle. This toy is available for around $15.
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It is never too early to start reading with baby, just be sure to choose soft books in the beginning. A cloth book like Squishy Turtle and Friends Cloth Book shows a different ocean creature along with a texture on each page. This one comes packaged in a gift box for $12 from Barnes and Noble.
Gift Ideas for 3-6 Month Olds
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When it comes to baby, there are never enough pictures and keepsake handprints and footprints. The Pearhead Babyprints Wall Frame offers both at the same time. The white wooden shadowbox frame displays a 4x6 photo on one side and baby's handprint or footprint on the other. Priced at around $30, the kit includes a reversible pink or blue background board as well as soft air-drying clay and tools to make the imprint.
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Baby is bound to choose a favorite blankie at some point, so increase your chances of providing the most beloved one with a personalized blanket. The Spring Fleece Baby Blanket from Things Remembered is made from fleece and trimmed in satin for optimum softness. Available in aqua, blueberry, and raspberry, you can embroider up to 2 lines of 18 characters each in your choice of 32 thread colors. At just under $35 this blanket is adorable and affordable.
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As baby begins the journey toward a stress-free bedtime routine, the Johnson's Baby Bath Discovery Gift Set can help soothe her. This kit is around $20 and includes all the Johnson & Johnson products you need for baby's bathtime.
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Babies grow very quickly and buying clothing can get expensive. Apparel that grows with a child like comfy maxaloones will be much appreciated. Maxaloones are pants that have a long waist and long leg cuffs that can be folded over then unfolded as baby grows. These custom pants are handmade with 9 fabrics to choose from and sizes ranging from newborn to 5 years old. The price on Etsy ranges from $15-18, not bad for a pair of pants that can stand the test of time.
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Share the zany world of author/illustrator Sandra Boynton with baby this Christmas. In her Boynton's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 collection, you will find four silly board books full of fun sounds, bright colors, and fun characters. You can get the boxed set, which includes the titles Moo Baa La La La, Doggies, A to Z, and Blue Hat Green Hat, for under $20 from Barnes and Noble.
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Peek-a-boo is likely to be one of baby's favorite games at this age. A lift-a-flap book like Peek-a-Boo Forest is soft enough for baby to play with and offers surprises hidden behind flaps on each page. Learn about different animals living in the forest for under $15 from Kohl's.
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As baby begins to discover her own abilities and the world around her, a mat like the Tiny Love Discover the World Mat is the perfect gift. This soft mat is meant to lay on the floor indoors or ground outdoors, folds up with a carrying handle, and can be machine washed. The blue mat is accented with vibrant colors and spans 39 x 40 inches. Fun features include a peek-a-boo crinkly elephant ear, pull me leaf teether, a variety of textures, and an adjustable mirror. For only $45, this play mat is sure to grow with baby.
Gift Ideas for 6-9 Month Olds
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Baby's world revolves around himself, so why not get in on the fun with a book that stars him. On the Night You Were Born Personalized Book features poetic text and beautiful illustrations of animals and nighttime scenery. This hardcover book can be personalized with baby's name incorporated throughout the text as well as a dedication page complete with baby's photo and a message from you. Put Me In the Story offers this unique gift for $30 and features tons of other similar books.
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Bathing is likely beginning to play a major role in daily life at this age and sometimes regular towels just don't cut it. Give baby the gift of comfort with a Hooded Lamb Robe from Carter's. The white robe features striped trim and lamb faces on the pockets. The robe retails for around $25.
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As baby begins to crawl around and explore her surroundings, safety will become a top concern. Gifting something useful such as the Safety 1st Home Safety Value Pack will help baby explore safety and give parents some peace of mind. The kit from Kmart includes 46 pieces like grip n twist door knob covers and secure press plug protectors. At only $7 for all white, this kit is a steal.
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If baby is starting to try solid foods, baby table settings are a necessity. The Zoli Stuck Suction Feeding Bowl Kit includes a deep bowl with inner tray that uses suction to stick to the table so baby can eat more food than lands on the floor. The set is complete with a fork and spoon as well as a lid for on the go eating. Available in green, orange, and pink Baby Earth sells the kit for under $20.
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For the baby on the move, floors can be hard on the knees. Squeeky Knees Baby Leggings have built in knee pads that squeak when baby crawls to offer optimum comfort and fun. These leggins are available for $25 in a variety of patterns and come in sizes 6-18 month.
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As baby sets out to explore on hands and knees, a tunnel might be just the place he could crawl through for hours. The Alex Jr. Learn to Crawl Tunnel has open netting on the top, a mirror at the end, and a cushioned bottom pad . The fun animal scenes will make baby feel like he is in the jungle for around $80 on Amazon.
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Interactive books will keep baby's attention as she learns how fun reading can be. Baby's Very First Noisy Nursery Rhymes is a board book that plays five different nursery rhymes with the push of a button. Usborne Books and More offers this colorfully illustrated bood for under $20.
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Watching amazing things happen will surely keep baby's attention at this age. A fun toy like the Bright Starts Spin and Giggle Giraffe will certainly entertain baby. Baby loads a ball into the giraffe's mouth to watch the ball travel accompanied by music and a lights show. Buy for around $25.
Gift Ideas for 9-12 Month Olds
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Being the parent to a baby can be stressful and busy. Help mom and dad make lasting memories with Baby's First Year Photo Frame. The silver frame has a large center opening with 12 smaller ones surrounding it so you can showcase photos from each month in baby's first year. The frame says 'First Year' at the top and features baby item embellishments in silver at each corner. Walmart sells this lovely frame for $109 for a pack of two.
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As baby begins to experiment with autonomy, she will likely start wanting to have and do the things you do. My First Anywhere Chair is a soft, lightweight chair with a handle so baby can cart his own seat to wherever yours might be. The removable slipcover is machine washable and comes in pink, blue, green, aqua, coral, and gray as well as patterns such as polka dot and gingham. You can personalize the chair with up to nine characters and your choice of font. Pottery Barn Kids offers these chairs for anywhere from $79-109.
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Baby may be starting to stand up unaided or even walk in this age group. Non-skid socks can be instrumental in helping baby walk without slipping on smooth floors. A set such as the Non-skid Crew Sock 4-Pack from Old Navy comes in white for 0-24 month-olds and costs under $10. The textured rubber on the soles helps keep baby upright when learning to walk on slippery surfaces.
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Another great way to encourage and support new walkers is by gifting a great first pair of shoes. The Stride Rite SRT Soft Motion Dawson protects baby's feet without restricting motion. The easy on/off closure on these canvas shoes makes them perfect for baby. This style comes in brown or navy and includes a removable sizing insole to get the perfect fit. These are available for $40 from Stride Rite and come in sizes 3-6 as well as medium and wide widths.
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As baby sets out on the journey of learning how to walk, it might be nice for him to have a little help other than mom or dad. The Fisher Price Bright Beginnings Activity Walker folds down for floor play or stands up to be used as a sturdy walker. The white design accented with bright colors features flipping doors, sliding beads, and turning gears. Amazon offers the walker for around $75 including frustration-free packaging and the option to have it sent as a gift in an unmarked container.
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Baby is on the move now and her toys should be as well. Toys that baby can chase like the Pull Back Vehicles from Melissa and Doug have endless possibilities for fun. These four brightly colored vehicles are soft and made with removable fabric. The bus, fire truck, car, and police car can be pulled back and released to make them zoom across the floor. This set sells for $25.
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While baby is sure to be very active during this age, she also needs to learn fine motor skills and how to have more relaxed fun. Puzzles made especially for baby's hands like the Large Farm Jumbo Knob Puzzle from Melissa and Doug is the perfect combination. For under $20 you get a wooden puzzle featuring large knobs on the pieces and a set of seven farm animals with their farmer to fit into matching pictures set against a red barn.
Shopping Suggestions
The first year of life for a baby is full of developmental milestones. Using these milestones as well as baby's age in months can help you find the right gift for that time in baby's life. If you aren't sure exactly how old baby will be at Christmas, what size clothing she wears, or which milestones she has actually hit don't be afraid to ask mom and dad for information or ideas.
When shopping for a baby, consider the bigger picture.
- If baby has a large extended family, you may want to consider more personal gifts.
- For older babies, their baby shower was almost a year ago so practical gifts would be greatly appreciated.
- Fun gifts are the easiest to buy so if you go this route try picking up educational toys that are fun and helpful to baby.
Baby Stores
There are many brick-and-mortar as well as online stores specifically geared toward babies. If you are struggling with gift ideas, visit one of these stores and browse their inventory for inspiration.
- Disney Baby - Offers apparel, gear, bedding, toys, and other items specifically for babies and featuring Disney characters.
- The Land of Nod - Features furniture, gear, bedding, and toys made specifically for kids and intended to fit into the family home.
- Buy Buy Baby - Everything new baby and parents will need from gear to toys.
Larger websites, like Amazon, also offer a great feature called the Wish List. Parents can create this list that features specific items baby would like and share it with family and friends. It works just like a shower registry, so once you purchase an item it will be removed from the list automatically to help avoid duplication.
Giving the Gift of Love
Babies may not be able to understand and appreciate Christmas gifts just yet. If you give from your heart, baby is sure to feel the love you are sending.
