Every baby differs in capabilities and interests. Gift guides that suggest otherwise can be unreliable as we know that all babies will not be sitting unsupported at 6 months or will have their first tooth by 4 months. As a result, I gathered ideas from parents that have experienced a baby’s first Christmas and can provide realistic expectations for us first time moms. And, now that my baby is officially a toddler, I have shared some of her last year’s favorites too!
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Instruments
If there is one thing babies are good at, making noise is it. Let them channel their inner musical desires with age appropriate drums or melodious piano.
Bright Starts Baby Light and Giggle Drum
Bubbles
Engage your baby’s visual and touch senses by sharing the joy of blowing bubbles. Watch them as their eyes gaze on floating circles of joy. You may even get a chuckle or two.
Fun Central AU160 2 oz Bubble Bottle – 12 Pack
Playground Ball
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Trixie Ladybug Classic Rubber Kickball
Doorway Jumper
Something about jumping excites those little hearts. Watch your little one have a merry time jumping away (with supervision, of course) while you get chores done around the house. You will have one happy baby!
Evenflo Exersaucer Door Jumper, Owl
Blocks
Blocks have been around and they are not going away anytime soon. Babies love to engage and show their creative side. Blocks are great way to introduce colors, letters, and numbers.
Infantino Squeeze and Stack Block Set
Mirrors
Mirror, mirror on the wall, you are the cutest baby of them all. Babies naturally like to see their reflection. Need to distract a fussy baby, let them see their reflection and be amazed at how they respond.
Skip Hop Baby Treetop Friends Activity Mirror, Multi
Books
The Cinnamon Mom hit it right on the money with this gift idea. I love books and my baby does too. She likes books that she can feel, bend, and chew…and of course be read to too!
https://thecinnamonmom.com/2017/10/29/babys-favorite-toys-and-activities/
Bath toys
Bath time is no fun without toys. However, I struggle with my little explorer because she likes to traverse the length of the tub. She has a rubber duck that helps us stay on task but I think a few more bath buddies wouldn’t hurt.
Nuby Octopus Hoopla Bathtime Fun Toys, Purple
Walker
Depending on the level and age of your child, during the first year you might want to consider awarding your baby with a walker. And, even though my baby was not walking at Christmas, her walker was helpful. She developed the motor skills needed to crawl. It is an activity walker so there are things to do for those who are stationary and those who are on the move. Engaging your baby for long periods of time. And, eventually she got the courage to try pushing and taking steps. In fact, the next month she was walking unassisted and she was only 9 months old.
VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
Baby Doll/Teddy Bear
I am learning that my tiny human is always watching mommy and daddy. She is learning our voices and taking in all of our moves. It is amazing to see how much compassion my baby had for her teddy bear. Want to see the cutest thing? Watch your child rock and sing to their new favorite friend. Imagination and sweetness overload I say!
Baby GUND My First Teddy Bear Stuffed Animal Plush
There is nothing like your baby’s first Christmas. You as parents are so excited because you get to spend this special moment with them. However, I remember worrying about doing too much. Asking questions like: how can I make it special? how much should I buy? what does she really need at this age? And truth be told, when that time came… everything was perfect. Sure, the annoying talking duck my mom bought for my daughter scared the hell out of her. However, now she loves walking and talking thing…. and she is only one. Talk about short-lived fear lol.
Anyhow, I hope this list is helpful and if you have an ideas for me as I prepare next year’s guide, please share them in the comments.
