November 04, 2024
Best First Christmas Gifts For a Baby
Author: Francesca, Founder and CEO, EasyTot
A Guide to Practical, Playful, and Memory-Making Presents
When it comes to a baby's first Christmas, parents often imagine the excitement of their little ones tearing open gifts and marveling at holiday lights. However, the reality for most first-time parents is a bit different. Babies under one year don't fully grasp the magic of Christmas, but that doesn’t mean the day can’t be memorable. Instead of looking for flashy or expensive gifts, consider practical and developmentally appropriate presents that foster family time and playfulness. Here are some thoughtful ideas that combine fun, learning, and keepsakes to create a meaningful first Christmas.
1. First Christmas Ornaments: Commemorate the Year
- Handprint or Footprint Keepsake: A personalized ornament with a tiny handprint or footprint captures your baby’s first Christmas in a way that can be cherished for years. Many sets are easy to use and allow parents to make an imprint with safe, non-toxic materials.
- Photo Ornament: Add a touch of personalization by creating an ornament with a baby photo, name, and birth year. It's a sweet way to see how your little one changes over the years when decorating the tree.
2. Baby's First Christmas Outfits
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Festive Pajamas: A cozy set of "My First Christmas" pajamas makes for adorable photos and keeps your little one comfy throughout the day. Look for hypoallergenic or organic cotton materials, especially if your baby has sensitive skin.
Angel Dear2 Way Zipper Footie - Candy Canes RibSale price$34.00 
Angel Dear2 Way Zipper Footie - Christmas TreatsSale price$34.00 
Angel Dear2 Way Ruffle Zipper Footie - Vintage Santas PinkSale price$34.00 
Angel Dear2 Way Zipper Footie - Vintage Holiday PlaidSale price$34.00 
Leveret ClothingBaby Footed Fleece Christmas PajamasSale price$24.99 Regular price$43.73 
Mebie BabyGreen Nutcracker Bamboo ZipperSale price$24.00 Regular price$32.00 
BestarooHoliday Reindeer Blue FootieSale price$22.00 Regular price$32.00 
Birdie BeanKris Convertible RomperSale price$25.50 Regular price$34.00 -
Holiday Bibs: For babies who have started solids, a Christmas bib is both practical and cute for holiday meals. Many are embroidered with festive messages or images, adding extra cheer to meal times.
Angel DearBandana Bib - Christmas TreatsSale price$11.00 
NellapimaChristmas Wreath Smocked BibSale price$24.00 
NellapimaChristmas Tree Smocked BibSale price$24.00 
Angel DearBandana Bib - Reindeer Fair IsleSale price$11.00 
Louelle.Newborn Bib | TartanSale price$35.00 -
Santa or Reindeer Hat: A soft, seasonal hat is perfect for keeping your baby warm while adding a little holiday charm to their outfit.
THA DressingBaby Santa Christmas Outfit ( 5 Pcs )Sale price$119.00 
Band of the WildChristmas Elf Pajama CostumeSale price$89.00 
The Blueberry HillNicholas Santa Knit HatSale price$29.00
3. Classic and Developmental Toys
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Soft Blocks or Stacking Rings: Simple, classic toys like stacking rings or soft building blocks encourage motor skills and are safe for babies learning to grasp, stack, and explore. Toys that don’t require batteries allow babies to interact using their own imagination and coordination.
Manhattan ToyHigh Contrast Mind Cubes | Wimmer FergusonSale price$28.00 
Kiboo KidsKiboo Kids Blocks With Magnets - Animal SetSale price$34.99 
Kiboo KidsKiboo Kids Blocks With Magnets - Robot SetSale price$34.99 - Wooden Name Puzzle: Personalized puzzles with large, colorful letters of the baby’s name are perfect for early learning and exploration. These puzzles enhance fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while introducing your child to colors and letters.
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Teething Toys: For babies experiencing teething, toys like Sophie the Giraffe or soft, textured blocks are soothing and engaging. Look for durable, non-toxic options to ensure they’re safe and long-lasting.
Babeehive GoodsChristmas TeetherSale price$9.99 
Sophie la GirafeSophie La Girafe - So'Pure BoxSale price$26.50 
Sophie la GirafeSophie The Giraffe | White BoxSale price$26.50
4. Books to Begin a Holiday Tradition
- Board Books: High-contrast black-and-white board books are ideal for newborns, as they help with visual stimulation. For slightly older babies, books with bright colors, textures, or simple stories—like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?—are both entertaining and developmentally beneficial.
- "The Night Before Christmas": This timeless Christmas classic in a sturdy board book format introduces babies to family reading traditions. The rhyming verses and festive illustrations make for an ideal bedtime story, especially when it's read every year as a holiday tradition.
- Recordable Storybooks: For families who can’t always be together, recordable storybooks allow relatives to “read” to the baby from afar, capturing their voices for the little one to enjoy anytime.
5. Sensory and Interactive Play Gifts
- Musical Toys: Toys like the Mozart Magic Cube introduce babies to different sounds and encourage tactile exploration. With simple taps, babies can produce sounds, fostering early sensory development and hand coordination.
- Activity Gym or Playmat: These mats often include a variety of textures, sounds, and hanging toys, providing a multi-sensory environment for babies to explore safely. Ideal for tummy time and supervised play, they promote both physical and cognitive development.
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Baby Chair or Activity Table: For babies who are starting to pull themselves up, a comfy chair or activity table can help them develop balance and coordination. Look for ones with multiple activities to keep little hands busy.
Wonder and WiseActivity Chair - Rolling Around Square ChairSale price$234.00 
Wonder and WiseAwesome Activity TableSale price$199.00 
JanodBaby Forest - Activity TableSale price$96.79 
Wonder and WiseHi-lo Activity TableSale price$206.00
6. Memory-Making Keepsakes for Family Moments
- Baby Memory Book: A memory book that parents can fill with milestones, photos, and special moments from their baby's first year is a beautiful gift that only becomes more precious with time. SHOP baby memory books
- Personalized Stocking: Custom stockings are a festive addition to any holiday decor and will be a delightful family tradition. Choose a high-quality fabric that will last for years to come.
Final Thoughts: The Best Gift is Time and Love
Remember, the most meaningful gift you can give is the time and love spent together. Babies learn and grow from interactions, so sing holiday songs, read stories, and play with simple, interactive toys. By focusing on gifts that encourage togetherness and sensory play, you’ll create lasting memories that grow with your family and can be revisited each holiday season.
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