Things to Get for Christmas
What are the best things to get for Christmas when someone in the family has a new baby? Start with what they will actually use: sleep, time, and a little comfort for the parents, and safe, simple toys for the baby. Here are 24 gift ideas sorted by person, for the baby, the toddler at home, mom, dad, grandparents, and stockings, with safety notes so nothing ends up on the wrong side of a baby’s mouth.
How to shop for a family with a new baby
Shopping for a house with a baby is different from shopping for anyone else. The baby does not need much, the parents need almost everything, and the older child has strong opinions. A gift that works for all three is rare, so it helps to buy one thing for each person and keep each one small.
I would start with a simple rule: nothing with small parts, nothing that needs batteries the baby can reach, and nothing that adds to a pile of plastic. That one rule cuts about half of any toy aisle. Eeshan and Vihaan would pick the loudest thing on the shelf, which is a good reason for the adult to do the filtering.
It also helps to ask. A short text to a parent, “what would help most this year?”, is often better than a guess. If you want ideas for what they might say, our guide on what to ask for as a new parent for Christmas lists the usual answers.
| Person | Good pick | Rough price | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | Board books, play mat | $10 to $50 | Small parts, loose cords |
| Toddler or sibling | Chunky puzzle, art set | $10 to $30 | Small pieces, magnets |
| Mom | Robe, meal, spa gift card | $25 to $100 | Strong scents |
| Dad | Insulated mug, headphones | $20 to $100 | Hearing the baby monitor |
| Grandparents | Photo book, framed print | $20 to $60 | Order deadlines |
| Stockings | Mini book, teether | $3 to $12 | Choking hazards |
Things to get for a baby for Christmas
Keep it to a few good things. A baby will be just as happy with the box, and the family will thank you for the extra space.
- Soft cloth books. Pick high contrast pages that are safe to chew. Look for ones that wipe clean. Skip any with crinkle tags that can tear off.
- A padded play mat. It gives tummy time a purpose, and a wipe clean surface is worth the extra few dollars. Our guide to sensory activities for infants shows how to use it.
- A silicone teether. Choose a single piece with no parts that can come loose. Wash it after every drop. Keep a spare in the diaper bag.
- The next size of clothes. Buy a size up from what the baby wears now, since babies grow fast. Soft cotton with easy snaps is best for midnight changes. Keep the receipt in the box, since sizes vary by brand.
Things to get for a toddler or older sibling
A new baby is a big change for a toddler, and a small gift for the older child is a kind gesture. Make it something they can enjoy alone.
- Chunky wooden puzzles. Pick a few large pieces, and check that none can fit in a mouth. Eeshan and Vihaan would have the whole set on the floor in a minute, so choose wood over cardboard. A knob on each piece helps small fingers.
- A washable art set. Crayons, washable markers, and a big pad of paper keep a toddler busy for a while. Lay down a mat first, since the paper is never the only thing that gets colored.
- A DIY busy board. A board with latches and knobs holds a toddler’s attention for a long stretch. Our guide to DIY busy board ideas shows how to build one cheaply. Check every latch and screw first.
- A set of sturdy board books. Pick short stories with bold pictures, so the older child has something to read beside the baby.
Things to get mom for Christmas
Most moms of babies want rest and comfort more than a new object. These work for a mom of a newborn or a mom of a toddler.
- A cozy robe. Soft, warm, and easy to open for feeding.
- A meal delivery credit. One less dinner to plan is a gift she will remember. Check allergies and any dietary needs first.
- A spa gift card. A massage or a facial is a reason to leave the house for an hour or two.
- A large water bottle. Pick one with a straw that is easy to use with one hand. Feeding a baby makes a mom thirsty, and a big bottle saves trips to the kitchen.
- A handwritten card. Write three honest sentences about what you see in her this year. Pair it with our encouraging words for new moms if you are short on words. It costs nothing and is often the part she keeps.
Things to get dad for Christmas
Dads of babies are easy to forget, since most gifts go to the baby or the mom. These are the ones I would pick.
- An insulated mug. It keeps coffee hot through a long morning of bottles. Pick a lid that seals, since mugs get knocked over. A second one for the car is a good extra.
- Noise cancelling headphones. Good for commutes, with one rule: check that you can still hear a baby monitor or a cry when you wear them.
- A comfortable baby carrier. Pick one that fits his frame, and follow the maker’s weight and positioning guidance.
- A subscription. A streaming service, an audiobook plan, or a sports package gives him something to do during a late feed.
- A solo hour, written down. A named hour a week for a walk or the gym is a gift that costs nothing. Eeshan and Vihaan would be fine with it, and so would I. Put a date on it, since a promise with a date tends to happen.
Things to get grandparents for Christmas
Grandparents want photos and time with the baby. Most do not want another object to dust. These three are easy to order, hard to get wrong, and each gives them a reason to talk about the baby for weeks. Eeshan and Vihaan would hand over a drawing and call it done, which grandparents love just as much.
- A photo book of the first year. Pick 20 favorite photos and add a short caption to each. Order it by early December, since print shops get busy.
- A framed print. A single photo of the baby in a simple frame suits a shelf or a desk. Add a short note on the back with the date. A frame with a real glass front should sit well away from the table edge.
- A handprint keepsake. Press a small hand in washable, nontoxic paint on a card, and write the date on the back. Never leave the baby alone with paint. Wash hands before they reach the mouth.
Safe stocking stuffers for a baby or toddler
Stockings are where small parts sneak in. Pick items with the baby in mind, and keep the little things for older kids.
- A mini board book. It fits in a stocking and gets read for months. Pick one with thick pages and rounded corners.
- A teether or soft rattle. Choose one that is too big to fit in a baby’s mouth in full.
- A crayon and sticker set for a toddler. Check that the stickers are not small enough to swallow. Keep them for supervised time only.
For a gift list written for the child to share with family, see our Christmas wishlist for babies and toddlers.
Frequently asked questions about things to get for Christmas
What are good things to get for Christmas for a baby?
Soft cloth books, a padded play mat, a silicone teether, and clothes in the next size up are safe, useful picks. Avoid anything with small parts, loose cords, or batteries a baby can reach.
What are good things to get mom for Christmas?
A cozy robe, a meal delivery credit, a spa gift card, a large water bottle, and a handwritten card are all good. Many moms of babies want rest and comfort more than a new object.
What are good things to get dad for Christmas?
An insulated mug, noise cancelling headphones, a baby carrier he likes, a subscription, and a written down solo hour are good picks. Check that headphones still let him hear the baby.
What should I get a family with a new baby for Christmas?
Practical gifts work best, such as a meal delivery, a cleaning visit, board books, and diapers. A short text asking what would help most is better than a guess.
What are safe stocking stuffers for a baby?
A mini board book, a teether, or a soft rattle that is too big to fit in the mouth are safe choices. Keep small items such as stickers and tiny toys for older children.
What should I avoid buying for a baby?
Avoid toys with small parts, button batteries, magnets, and long cords. Skip crib bumpers, pillows, and plush blankets, since they break safe sleep rules.
If I were shopping for a family with a new baby, I would buy a board book for the baby, a meal for the parents, and a photo book for the grandparents. Eeshan and Vihaan would ask for the loudest toy in the shop, and I would politely say no. A few safe, useful gifts will always beat a big pile.
