My daughter’s first Christmas was a fairly easy one. There were no wild expectations, no knowledge of the snow, Santa, and carols that usually accompany the season. I did want to give her a few appropriate gifts, though. Of course, the grandparents were desperate to shower her with goodies, too. We put some limits on the gift-giving – after all, a baby won’t remember Christmas and needs very little. However, if you’re being asked by relatives for baby gift suggestions, here are some ideas:
* The practical gift. If there’s something that you wanted for a baby shower and did not receive, now is the time to ask. Perhaps you’d like a baby carrier for an older baby, a bumbo seat, or some larger cloth diapers.
* Clothing. Everyone loves to give babies clothes, and very few of them fit for very long. We found that sleepers without feet were a good choice, since they last for a while as your baby grows. A sleep sack can also grow with your baby to some extent. Don’t forget one cute outfit for Christmas Day – it will only be used for a short while, but it will create sweet memories for the photo albums. Then you can pass it on to a friend for next year!
* Simple, baby-friendly toys. Play silks, rattles, and squeaky Lamaze toys are sure to be a hit. We got my six-month-old a wooden block and stick so that she could pound them together to make sounds. Or use the opportunity to begin a collection of Brio or other more expensive toys for your child.
* Books. Board books are an excellent choice for a baby. Books like Everywhere Babies and I Love You As Much were hits with my daughter. Every year, I also make a photo book of my daughter for my husband, and she loves it too. Even as a baby, she loved to look at the photos of her and daddy.
* Investments. Although these are not a very exciting gift for a baby, they’re sure exciting when you get to college! When far away relatives asked about first year gifts, we got them to donate to our daughter’s college fund. I also donate to KIVA on her behalf every year – it’s a charitable donation that she can reinvest over time, and I hope that it will teach her about social responsibility and supporting others.
What are you getting your baby for Christmas this year?