Make It Holiday!
The Very Best Gifts for Baby's First Christmas
Stumped on the best gifts for baby's first Christmas? Unless you have an incredibly precocious child, they're not going to be sending a Christmas list to Santa just yet, but we've got you covered with the most magical gift ideas for the under-one set.
- Illustration
- Louise Lockhart
Teeny tiny bloomers. A lilliputian blanket. All the little animals. Shopping for babies is adorable and, frankly, overwhelming. But babies don't need much beyond the basics. We think the best gifts for a baby's first Christmas make a family's life easier or more magical. So, if you're not the parents, consider asking them if they have anything on their list their child needs or take cues from how they parent–from the colors they tend to gravitate toward to how much space they have for toys. They'll appreciate your thoughtfulness, and you can wait for the cute texts to start rolling in.
Best Christmas Gifts for Newborns
If you're shopping for gifts for newborns, we love cozy winter clothes that will keep babies warm into the new year (we're especially into the Baby Sutton Cashmere Bundle from Maison Me), personalized gifts just for them, and toys that can grow with them as they quickly turn into toddlers. Parents typically receive essentials like strollers and highchairs and onesies at their shower or when their baby is born, so for Christmas keep it fun or functional but suited to the season.
Christmas Gifts For a 1 Year Old
One-year-olds are endlessly curious, and since they learn through play, we love Christmas gifts for toddlers that give them opportunities to explore the world around them. You'll know you have a winner when they play with a toy longer than they play with the box. Open-ended toys like blocks and stacking toys help babies practice fine motor skills, while dolls build empathy skills.
Activity Gyms & Playmats for Mini Gymnasts
If a baby already has an activity gym, new accessories can introduce new shapes and colors to their tummy time routine–they typically slide, tie, or velcro onto the base. If they don't have a playmat, you'll find them in cheeky shapes like lily pads or pears or choose a black and white print to stimulate their developing minds.
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Monogrammed Gifts for Baby's First Christmas
From sweet Christmas outfits to retro chore coats, a monogrammed gift is a thoughtful gift idea for a baby's first Christmas. Elevate everyday essentials like baby blankets and bibs with embroidery or celebrate a growing family with matching beaded bracelets. For an out-of-the-box idea, we love personalized sunnies and linen crowns for pretend play. Or eternalize those first few doodles by adding the design to a tote bag made for schlepping baby gear.
Christmas Ornaments for Baby's First Christmas
Starting the tradition of choosing a Christmas ornament every year that's theirs to hang on the tree is a genius gift idea for a baby's first Christmas. It could be a zebra for a zoo-obsessed kid, a nutcracker for one that loves to dance, or a palm tree to remember their first trip. As they get older, ornaments can commemorate milestones like winning a diving meet or taking horseback riding lessons. Finally, you can write or stitch the year on a ribbon threaded through the ornament to make it an heirloom.
Plush Toys for Little Loves
As their little personality starts to shine through, a plush toy can be a nod to this stage of their life–a cuddly owl for the baby that never sleeps, a taxi for a city kid, or a lion for a baby that has a serious set of lungs.
Push & Pull Toys for Little Walkers
Push and pull toys come in all different sizes so there is something for every baby–musical snails, a trolley with tools, or a buggy filled with blocks. If you're shopping for a younger baby, we love a walker with activities like knobs and gears, while one-year-olds may appreciate a push-along toy like a chicken with flapping wings or a classic pull train.
STEM Toys for Inquisitive Minds
Babies love exploring the world with simple STEM toys like sensory balls, shape sorters, and soft books with flaps and moving pieces that help develop fine motor and pre-literacy skills. Go for small, squishy things with velcro or a way to attach it to a stroller to keep babies engaged on the go or waterproof toys for bathtime.
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Christmas Clothes for Party Animals
Babies want to party, too! So get them in on the action with holiday pajamas that coordinate with the rest of the family–grandma too! Take advantage of their first Christmas to go with whatever holiday dressing vibe brings you joy before they can object, whether that is a sweet reindeer sweater, a smocked dress, tartan overalls, or something sparkly.
