Gift Guide¦ There’s been something of a baby boom since the pandemic started. As such, there will be so many cute little babies celebrating their first Christmas this year! My Reuben was born at the beginning of January, so he’ll be one of them. He’s already loving the lights and sparkles. I can’t wait to includes him in our traditions and see what he thinks of his presents. What do you get a baby for their first Christmas, though? It’s not like they can ask for things. The best way to go is a mixture of fun and practicality. Here are my recommendations of presents that parents will love to receive and babies will feel the benefit of too!
1. Teething rings, taggie blankets and accessories
In Craft Corner have all kinds of beautiful designs of teething rings, taggie blankets and bibs. There are Christmas patterns available or you could go for doughnuts, unicorns are elephants…the options are almost endless! If you want to go for something really extra special, they can also make keepsakes from clothes your baby has outgrown!
I think you can tell when things have been lovingly made and these really do feel made with love and care. They’re really cute and feel a lot more luxurious than your run of the mill baby products. Moreover, they’re useful too. Bibs are always necessary and babies love teething rings and taggie blankets to play with and chew on.
Prices start from £5.50 and bundles are available.
2. Initial cushion
Alphabet letter cushions are a gorgeous edition to the nursery! Grey with white stars and soft almost velour-like sides are, they look great on a chair or in an unoccupied cot as decoration. It’s a gift that will last for years too, as it’s not something that will be outgrown quickly.
While it might not be the most appreciated gift by babies, parents will LOVE it and it’s only a matter of time until the baby will grow to appreciate it too.
Available in every letter of the alphabet, these cushions are £14.99 each at EchoThree.
3. Personalised blanket
Now that we’re back in chilly weather again, it’s important to keep our little ones warm! Personally, I always find Christmas gifts that make me feel cosy some of the best presents. I think it’s because you know the person who chose the gift for you wants you to be comfy and warm! So what better present to buy for a baby than a blanket with their name on? I always prefer cellular blankets over other types for babies, as if they pull it over their heads they can still breathe thanks to the small holes.
Plus, blankets are great for hide and seek! Peeka…
BOO!
Made from GOTS certified cotton, as well as being breathable, these blankets are gentle on baby’s skin. They’re available in a variety of colours and you can also choose the colour of thread your personalisation is in. You can even add a little heart or star!
These lovely personalised baby blankets retail for £17.99 at Bloomsbury Mill.
4. A special teddy bear
Teddy bears are adored by children and adults alike. A teddy is such a special gift for a baby to receive on their first Christmas. Steiff are renowned for their beautiful, quality cuddly toys, especially teddy bears. A special teddy bear like this will likely be a friend for life and treasured always!
This is the Steiff Cuddly Jimmy bear, which is suitable from birth. It’s also machine washable at 30 degrees, which is great to know as a parent! I can’t count the amount of times I’ve worried about putting my 5 year old daughter’s cuddly toys in the wash when she’s smushed biscuit into them or dropped them into a puddle.
The fur is brilliantly soft and he has such a friendly little face! As you can see, he also sits really nicely as he has a bean bag in his bottom. Perfect for sitting on the table at breakfast for his very own dippy egg and soldiers!
Jimmy is currently on sale for £24.99 at Toys and Bears.
5. Activity cube
Parents are often inundated with toys for children when it comes to special occasions. So, how about a toy that packs a LOT into a compact space and will provide them with entertainment for years? Meet the wooden activity cube from Jaques London.
Made with FSC approved wood and water-based paint, it’s safe for little ones. With beads to move around, shapes to sort and numbers and pictures of animals on the shapes, there are so many ways it can be played with. From learning a whole variety of shapes, to logic skills, to developing their fine motor skills, it aids development in many ways too.
The activity cube is currently on sale at Jaques for £21.99.
So there we are, my top 5 picks. What will you be buying for the babies in your life this Christmas?
Disclosure: The aforementioned items were kindly gifted for the purpose of creating this gift guide. As always, all views and opinions are honest and my own.
Aww! What cute ideas. We have a little one to buy for this Christmas and these type of things beat plastic toys. x
Such lovely ideas. I still have the blanket my Mom made for my eldest’s first Christmas!
I hope you all enjoy that first one together.