Gift Ideas for Babies
Christmas tree decorationsIf you are buying a present for a baby that you will continue to buy for year after year, you could purchase an extra special Christmas decoration to hang on the tree - perhaps a "Baby's first Christmas" decoration - and add to the collection with a new decoration (appropriate to the child's age and interests) each year. Buy special boxes to store each decoration in, including the date and perhaps a note from you, or even a recent photo of the baby. How the child will enjoy opening the special boxes year after year and putting those special Christmas decorations on the tree! Toy ideasChildren of all ages love stuffed animal toys, but now there is a new idea called “The Singing Sock” designed by Mary Meyer and available in three designs: a cat, a dog and a piglet. It is an ideal gift for infants and babies up to 23 months. The Singing Sock is a soft, plush hand puppet and is affordable at $18. It requires two AA batteries and plays three different songs: Old MacDonald, Frere Jacques, and London Bridge. Other affordable gifts include the Ty Classic plush toys in a variety of designs and sizes. Another company called Kid’s Camp designs creative and fun stuffed giraffes, caterpillars and hippos to name a few and are one of the most affordable gifts starting at $7. Even if the baby or infant can’t yet play with stuffed animals, they will look adorable in the nursery and bring joy to everyone who enters the room. Consider the wonderful Gotta Getta Gund 18” Benson Bear. At $42, it is moderately priced and carries value as well as the potential for great memories. Of course, if your baby or toddler loves Elmo - you won’t want to miss the 36” Large Elmo. It’s colorful and huggable. However, at around $140 in most stores, it’s also quite an investment! A mother will certainly appreciate a new baby blanket because they are so versatile for use in the crib indoors and even outdoors in the carriage. Baby blankets are available in all price ranges and styles. To make the blanket a keepsake, have it embroidered with the baby’s name, or sew the blanket yourself.
Keepsake gift ideasAnother option is to think ahead to the days when baby will be teething, or learning to drink from a cup. You can go to Tiffany’s, or another fine jewelry store, and purchase a silver and mother-of-pearl teething ring, or a monogrammed baby cup, bowl and spoon. These are keepsake gifts that a mother will treasure for years to come and will likely be handed down as a family heirloom. Design your own giftMost craft stores, including JoAnn’s and Michael’s, carry many different craft kits at affordable prices. If you are crafty, you might consider creating some special picture frames for baby’s pictures. You can even buy a kit to design your own diaper bags to give as a gift for baby’s needs. Do you scrapbook? If so you could create a wonderful keepsake scrapbook for the baby, or perhaps a mini-scrapbook (to be added to with a new mini scrapbook each year). Quilters could create a unique crib quilt or a picture quilt for the nursery wall. If sewing is your thing you could make an original cuddly toy out of scraps, or sew some accessories for the baby's nursery (there are many patterns available for nursery accessories from the major pattern suppliers such as McCalls, Simplicity etc). Can you knit or crochet a special blanket? Cross stitch a sampler with the baby's name and birth details? Embroider or otherwise embellish some bedding, bibs, or towels? Clothing ideasIf you know the baby or parents well, you might consider giving the baby a special outfit or piece of clothing, or perhaps sewing, knitting or crocheting something special. Make sure that you get the sizing right, though! Don't just buy something by "age" as babies vary enormously, and if you are buying a little big make sure that the season will still be appropriate (don't give a winter outfit that the baby will grow into in the middle of the summer!) An investment in the futureAll parents will appreciate a gift for their babies which will grow and provide something for the baby's future. Could you start a savings account for the baby, and add a little each Christmas? Or perhaps buy a bond or a small amount of shares each year?
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