What’s a good holiday gift for babies or new parents? Babies haven’t yet developed many interests or preferences, which can make gift ideas a challenge. Choosing a gift that new parents will actually use is also tricky, as you may not know what they already own.
My second and third children were about 3 months old during the holiday season, so I have firsthand experience with receiving all kinds of baby holiday gifts, as well as gifts for new parents. This guide will share insights into how to choose holiday gifts that will be appreciated and loved. You’ll learn to balance practical and sentimental value, as well as choose items the recipient will really use.
Best Holiday Gifts for Newborns
For newborns, consider items that are practical, yet grow with the baby. Babies grow and change quickly. While a 2-month-old can’t even hold a toy, 9-month-olds may be crawling! The following baby Christmas gifts are useful throughout baby’s first year and beyond.
- Crib bedding sets: An adorable crib bedding gift is always welcome.
- Fitted crib sheets: A simple fitted crib sheet is also a great gift, especially if you choose a wintry theme so baby’s room feels ready for the holidays, too.
- Baby blankets: A baby blanket makes an ideal first Christmas gift. My youngest son, who’s seven, still loves to snuggle with a blanket that was gifted to him as a baby.
- Plush toys: A stuffy doubles as baby room decor and a treasured toy as the baby grows.
- Musical mobiles: Musical mobiles are an ideal gift for expecting parents and newborns. The moving pieces of the mobile and music are comforting for baby at bedtime and upon waking.
- Keepsake nursery décor: This gift perfectly balances sentimentality with practicality. A personalized picture frame, stuffed animal, or piece of artwork helps create a warm, welcoming nursery while also creating lasting memories.
Holiday Gifts for New Parents
The best holiday gifts for new parents make their lives a little easier. Preparing a nursery takes a lot of work. You can help ease new parents into their role with nursery gifts such as:
- Coordinated nursery collections: If possible, find out if the parents are planning a nursery theme and choose a bedding collection that fits in. A collection makes a perfect gift, as coordinated items make it easy to achieve an elevated, coordinated look.
- Extra crib sheets: Having extra crib sheets on hand is useful for late-night crib changes, or so the nursery matches the season.
- Nursery organizers: With so many tiny socks, onesies, and little hats, storage baskets and organizers are essential.
- Decorative accessories: A decorative gift provides a nice memory for parents and baby as they grow. When I see plushies, wall art, and other gifted items in my children’s rooms, I always remember the giver warmly.
- Practical nursery essentials: If you want to give a gift that will get lots of use, choose items such as diapers, wipes, clothes, swaddles, wearable blankets, and towels.
- A self-care gift: New parents often feel like their whole world revolves around the baby, and this can be wonderful. However, recognizing a new parent with a special gift for them is a nice gesture. A pair of slippers, a cozy sweater, or a travel mug are all helpful gifts that also make a new parent feel seen and appreciated.
Gifts for a Baby's First Christmas
Baby’s first Christmas is an exciting moment for new parents. Although the baby may not fully understand what’s happening on Christmas morning, sentimental gifts make for beautiful photos and memories the whole family can treasure. My children still love seeing baby pictures of themselves opening Christmas gifts.
- Holiday-themed plush animals: Christmas-themed plush toys, such as toys with a Santa hat, are an ideal first Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for babies.
- Keepsake blankets: A personalized or seasonal blanket is an adorable and useful holiday gift for babies.
- Nursery décor: Adorable wall decor, lamps, and crib mobiles make wonderful baby holiday gifts.
These baby holiday gifts offer lasting memories while also creating a comfortable, cozy nursery.
Nursery Décor Gifts They'll Love
Nursery decor gifts are a wonderful choice for the holidays, especially for families who are planning their nurseries or have a young baby.
You can ask the family about their nursery decor theme or choose something holiday-themed that helps bring the season to life. My children still love having holiday-themed sheets and decor items in their rooms to make the holidays feel extra special.
Some excellent decor options to consider include:
- Musical mobiles
- Wall décor
- Lamps
- Window valances
- Decorative pillows
- Storage baskets
- Coordinating accessories
Gifting nursery decor can help parents create a beautiful, coordinated nursery that’s visually harmonious.
Holiday Gifts by Budget
Looking for a practical guide to holiday gifts for new parents and babies by budget? During the holidays, managing your budget is essential to make sure you can gift something thoughtful and meaningful to everyone on your list. Here’s how to shop for baby holiday gifts within your budget:
Holiday Gifts Under $25
You can find beautiful nursery gifts under $25, such as small accessories, plush toys, or security blankets. Make the gift thoughtful by choosing a theme the family enjoys or opting for a fun holiday style.
Holiday Gifts $25–$50
More mid-priced gifts include blankets, crib sheets, and toy sets. Also, consider larger nursery décor options like a wall lamp or watercolor prints.
Holiday Gifts $50–$100
If you have a bigger budget, consider purchasing a crib mobile or a beautiful nursery lamp perfect for reading stories at bedtime.
Holiday Gifts $100+
Make it easy to decorate the nursery with a premium bedding collection that matches beautifully. These sets can really pull a nursery together and provide comfort as the baby grows.
Building the Perfect Baby Holiday Gift Bundle
If you want to give a larger gift, try creating a bundle with a few coordinating baby holiday gifts that work well together. Here are a few combinations to try:
- Bedding set + plush toy: Choose a bedding set and a plush toy that matches the theme for a beautiful and practical gift.
- Crib sheets + blanket: Find a crib sheet and blanket featuring a similar design or pattern, such as stars, flowers, or a character.
- Mobile + nursery décor: A mobile with a matching watercolor print, banner, or lamp help bring a nursery to life.
Holiday Shopping Tips for Baby Gifts
When shopping for baby Christmas gifts, remember to shop early before the most popular patterns and styles sell out. Also, if possible, discretely find out the nursery theme and design so you can choose a gift that fits in.
If you’re not as close to the recipient, consider choosing a practical gift that will be useful. Crib sheets, blankets, and storage items are always welcome. Additionally, remember that babies grow quickly, so choose gifts that they can continue to use into their toddler years. My children still have treasured plush toys and blankets from their baby years, so choosing a quality gift can go a long way!
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the answers to commonly asked questions about buying holiday gifts for babies.
What are the best Christmas gifts for a newborn?
The best Christmas gift for a newborn is a useful or sentimental item that matches the baby’s nursery or parents’ interests. A plush toy, blanket, mobile, or crib sheet are all popular options parents appreciate.
What should I buy for a baby's first Christmas?
A baby’s first Christmas is a special, sentimental moment. Cute toys like stuffed animals, teethers, and toy sets are adorable gifts that the baby can grow into. Practical items like blankets or crib sheets are also excellent options.
Are nursery décor items good holiday gifts?
Yes, nursery decor items like wall art, lamps, and mobiles are wonderful holiday gifts that families will appreciate for years to come. If the family has a theme picked out, choose an item that meshes well with the chosen style and colors.
What gifts do parents actually use?
Parents of newborns and babies use practical gifts like crib sheets, blankets, diapers, storage baskets, changing pad covers, and nursery decor items. While every family is different, these essentials are almost guaranteed to be useful and appreciated.
When should I start holiday shopping for baby gifts?
To avoid last minute shopping and ensure the styles you’d like to purchase are in stock, consider shopping ahead of the rush in early to mid-November. While most stores still have some stock and shipping available in early December, the most popular styles may sell out by mid-December.
Choosing the Best Baby Christmas Gifts
The best holiday gifts for babies balance practicality, comfort, and lasting memories. Explore Lambs & Ivy's nursery collections to discover quality bedding, décor, plush toys, and coordinating accessories that families will enjoy even after the holiday season is over.
