What to Get a Baby for Christmas
A baby won't remember their first Christmas, but the photos will last forever, and so might a good gift. Here's how to choose one that fits the baby's age and makes the parents' lives a little easier.
Start with the baby's age
Babies change fast. A gift that's perfect at 3 months is useless at 10, and the other way around. Always check the maker's age label.
0 to 6 months
Young babies look, listen and grab. Good picks:
- A play mat or play gym for tummy time
- Soft rattles and crinkle toys
- High-contrast board books in black, white and red
- An activity center rated from about 4 months, once they hold their head up well
6 to 12 months
Babies this age sit, reach, bang things together and start to pull up. Good picks:
- Activity centers with a seat and toys all around
- Stacking cups and soft blocks
- A sit-to-stand walker for babies getting close to their first steps
- Bath toys
Turning 1
Around their first birthday, babies love cause and effect:
- Pound-and-tap toys and xylophones
- Musical toys that react when they press, sit or stand
- Push toys for new walkers
- Chunky puzzles with knobs
Look for toys that grow
Toys with stages, like a seat that later turns into a table, get used for months or years instead of weeks. That's better value for you and less clutter for the parents.
Think about the parents
The parents are the ones who'll set it up, store it and clean it. A few things they'll thank you for:
- Ask before buying something big. Activity centers and walkers take floor space.
- Include batteries if the toy needs them and they're not in the box.
- Choose washable or wipe-clean toys. Everything ends up in a baby's mouth.
Safety basics
- Follow the age label. Toys for older kids can have small parts.
- Skip anything with long strings or cords.
- For walkers and activity centers, follow the weight limits and use them on a flat floor away from stairs.
What to skip
- Lots of newborn-size clothes. Parents get plenty, and babies outgrow them in weeks.
- Loud toys with no volume control.
- Too many gifts at once. Babies get overwhelmed; one or two good toys are plenty.
Gifts for the memory box
A baby's first Christmas is a great time for a keepsake:
- A first Christmas ornament with the year on it
- A photo book of the baby's first months
- A handprint or footprint kit
The bottom line: a gift that fits now and grows with them
The best Christmas gift for a baby fits their age right now and grows with them. An activity center that starts at 4 months and turns into a toddler table is a great pick for a baby's first Christmas.
For four baby gifts compared on starting age, toddler years and seating, see our best Christmas gifts for babies.