Newborn Christmas Gifts

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And while the holiday season is wonderful every year, it can be especially so for those who have recently welcomed a newborn baby into their family. Of course, the new addition means there’s a new tiny human to find gifts for this Christmas day.

So, what are some of the best newborn Christmas gift ideas?

While newborns may not be the most discerning population of gift-receivers—it’s true, they’ll likely be as enamored with the gift box as what comes in it—it can still be a slightly daunting question. Our list of newborn baby Christmas gifts will give you lots of options that are sure to delight any new baby (and, just as importantly, if not more so, their parents too).

Gifts for 0-3-Month-Olds

Let’s start at the beginning. For the newest of newborns, many of the best Christmas gifts will be soft to the touch and comforting for them. Of course, durability and easy cleaning are considerations every new mom and dad will be thankful for, as well.

Consider these go-to options for the new baby in your life.

#1 Stuffed Animals

Stuffed animals are a classic gift idea for a reason. Soft and huggable, they’re similar to a security blanket in the comfort they provide to a baby. Then, once your little ones get a bit older, their imagination will imbue the animal with personality, turning it into an imaginary friend as your little one grows up.

Just remember that newborns explore with their mouths as well as their fingers, eyes, noses, and toes. When getting a stuffed animal for a newborn, avoid buttons or googly eyes that could detach and become a choking hazard. The Monica + Andy Adorables Lulu Bunny is a safe and snuggly option that’s so soft, it’s sure to bring comfort to any newborn. 

Price range: Can vary greatly, normally $20 – $100
Shop all Plush Toys + Stuffed Animals

#2 Developmental Play Mat

Who’s ready for tummy time?! Playmats with different colors and textures provide a perfect spot for newborns to explore and find stimulation. There are also play gyms that provide different play areas and hanging toys for your little one to explore as they grow.

Want a playmat that will make for a happy baby and happy parents? Check out our Always Blanket. It’s made with 100% organic cotton muslin, so it’s perfect for cuddle time and tummy time. Plus, it’s machine washable—a necessary perk for any new parent. With a variety of adorable patterns to choose from, including bumblebees, flamingo floaties, elephants, and simple stripes, you can easily find the look that matches your nursery room’s vibe.

Price range: $45 – $150
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#3 Security or Swaddle Blankets

Even as adults, we love a good blanket to cuddle up with when we settle down to watch Netflix on the couch. For newborns, there are two good choices available to you:

• Soft, plush security blankets make the perfect gift for newborns. And as an added benefit, a good security blanket is something that the baby will be able to grow with and hold onto as they get older. 

• If you like the idea of a baby blanket but aren’t sure about how to choose a security blanket for a baby, you could also consider a swaddle blanket. This will be handled more by mom and dad, but will still provide needed comfort for the baby. Also, they can be used for other purposes like as a stroller shade or nursing cover. If you want to go the extra mile, our baby gift boxes come with our signature organic cotton blankets and some oh-so-cute clothing essentials!

Price range: $20 – $50

#4 Waterproof Crib Mattress

As all parents know, accidents happen. If you’re prepared ahead of time, they’re much easier to deal with. A good waterproof crib mattress will provide comfort for your newborn while still being easy to clean when the inevitable occurs.

Price range: $300 – $400

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Gifts for 3-6-Month-Olds

Now that the newborn on your shopping list is getting a little older, you can focus less on pure comfort and more on play and exploration. Things like teethers and rattles will be fun to play with but also serve a practical developmental purpose.

#1 Sensory Toy Sets

Ask any child and they’ll tell you: Christmas day is for toys! Well, there are plenty of Christmas toy options to choose from that are also great for cognitive development and early growth. There are innumerable options to choose from including:

• Sensory blocks
• Rainbow stacking toys
• Plush mirrors
• Wooden beads

For an option that combines several sensory experiences into one adorable toy, check out the Wimmer-Ferguson Nursery Novel. This easily transportable pick includes developmental prints, crinkle paper flaps, a mirror, and ribbons to engage and captivate little explorers.  

Price range: $10 – $50
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#2 Rattles

One of the earliest sensory toys on the market, there seems to be about as many rattles in the world as there are babies. Plus, there are a ton of different kinds to choose from:

• Wooden rattles
• Graspable rings with plush animals
• Soft shake rattles
• Crinkle material toys

If you can think of it, there’s probably a rattle that fits the description, which means there are plenty of gift options to find the one the baby in your life will love. Our pick? The Meri Meri Bunny Baby Rattle. With long bunny ears, a delicately-stitched face, and an easy-to-grip wooden ring, this adorable rattle is a must-have. Plus, like other Monica + Andy-approved products, we limit the use of plastic materials. Instead, many of our products are made with organic cotton to ensure your baby’s safety if it ends up in a curious mouth.

Price range: $10 – $30
Shop all Baby Toys

#3 Teethers

Once a baby’s teeth start to come in, they can act a bit like an overstimulated puppy: biting everything in sight. That’s where teethers come in. Softer than a wooden table and entirely less sensitive than your finger, teethers give your baby something safe to gnaw on while developing their chompers. And, with shapes like lettuce leaves or bananas, they also add to your baby’s already ample cuteness.

As with anything going into a baby’s mouth, check that it’s made with non-toxic materials and doesn’t have any pieces that could break off and become choking hazards.

Price range: Around $20

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Gifts for 6-9-Month-Olds

As our kiddos get a little older, we’re now venturing deeper into the exploration phase. Crawling, grasping, and learning motor skills is the name of the game at this stage, so we’re focusing on baby gear that will encourage this behavior.

#1 Balls

Wrap up a tennis ball from your garage and your Christmas shopping is done! We’re kidding, of course, but rolling and stacking toys do make great gifts for a baby at this stage. For oodles of fun, look for baby toys that:

• Make noise as they roll
• Can be taken apart and changed into other shapes
• Come in bright, fun colors
• Have faces or resemble their favorite characters

For an award-winning option, choose Manhattan Toy’s Bababall—winner of the prestigious Oppenheim Toy Portfolio’s platinum seal award. Thick, colorful bands of varying textures weave together to form the outside of the ball, while a smaller, patterned ball rests inside and creates a rattling sound when shaken or rolled. A perfect newborn Christmas present, the Bababall is sure to captivate the child in your life for hours on end.

Price range: $10 – $40
Shop all Developmental Toys

#2 Bath Toys

Greater mobility for the baby can bring great challenges for the new parents. One such challenge is keeping your child still long enough for bath time. 

Enter: bath toys. 

You have your pick from several popular options:

• Classics like rubber duckies and other floaty animals
• Wind-up toys that can swim around
• Squeezable sponge toys that encourage grip strength
• Colorful crayons that wash away with water

Unfortunately, you can’t just throw any old toy in the bath. Many are not designed to interact with water and can be hard to clean, which can lead to mold. Be sure your toys are bath safe and you clean them regularly.

Price range: $5 – $50
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#3 Christmas Pajamas

Okay, there’s never a wrong age to give clothes, but we waited to include Christmas PJs here for a reason: it’s especially adorable to think of babies crawling and tottering around in cute Christmas pajamas. This gift idea can also be a great gift for the whole family—hello, matching PJs and Christmas gift card portraits, anyone? You’ll show your kiddo early on that you know how to do the holidays right with festive holiday baby clothes.

Plus, when you shop Monica + Andy, you know you’re getting quality as well as cuteness. That’s because all of our on the go one-pieces baby pajamas are made from GOTS certified, organic cotton, providing both cloud-like softness and baby-proof durability. 

Now smile for the camera!

Price range: Depends on materials, brand, and size, but about $20 – $55

Gifts for 9-12-Month-Olds

The newborn in your life is nearly a year old. Where did the time go? Soon, they’ll be off to grade school, then college, then on your TV screen as the next president, an astronaut in space, or cancer-curing doctor. 

Okay, slow down. Time may be moving fast, but this baby is still a baby. They’re just now starting to refine their fine motor and sensory skills. Here are some gifts that can help.

#1 Wooden Toys

A great add-on to the PlanToys Play Gym, our selection of wooden toys are the perfect addition for your growing babies. The PlanToys Baby Car Natural is a great tool for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and senses. 

These toys are not only fun to play with, but are also crafted with wood from rubber trees, ensuring optimal safety and free from toxic chemicals.

Price range: $15 – $40

#2 Books

We’re not suggesting that the 10-month-old in your life wants a cozy Agatha Christie novel they can read while sipping tea in their comfy chair. That’s still a gift better suited for mom or dad.

But baby books that come with stimulating pictures and large text give parents something to show their baby while helping develop language and cognition skills. In fact, these Black & White Art Cards from Wee Gallery were designed specifically for infant development, utilizing black and white imagery of adorable animal friends to captivate and excite little learners.

Plus, they’re made with sturdy material and include rounded corners, which makes them a durable and safe baby gift.

Price range: Under $30
Shop all Baby Books

#3 Christmas Ornaments

‘Tis the season. A personalized baby gift like a Christmas ornament is a great way to mark a baby first Christmas that can be remembered every year.

Price range: $10 – $50

Merry Christmas from Monica + Andy

As you can see, there are many newborn Christmas gifts to choose from, and this gift guide just scratches the surface. At Monica + Andy, we have plenty of options so you’ll be able to find the perfect gift for the newborn in your life. And, with our focus on health and safety, you can be certain your baby's Christmas present is both fun and functional. Merry Christmas!