When it comes to giving gifts for newborn babies, it can be tough to find the perfect present. After all, your littlest love can’t create their own wish list. Some of the best gifts for newborns, in fact, are actually gifts for parents of newborns—whether it’s a swoon-worthy sweater set they’d never have bought themselves or something to make life with a little one a smidge easier.

What are the best Christmas gifts for newborns? Well it depends.

Babies change so much over the first year. In the first few months, it seems as though they just eat, sleep, poop, repeat. But as they begin to gain their strength, tummy time is all the rage. Eye-catching toys, black-and-white cards and playmats make great gifts for babies under three months.

Related: Your guide to baby milestones

As they get a bit older and start to tune into the world around them, exploration and engagement is the name of the game. Look for musical toys and teethers with texture that delight all their senses. It’s also a fantastic time to start building their library of books you’ll read a eleventy billion times over the next few years. (So, um, choose wisely, ok?)

We’ve hand-selected some of our personal favorites along with tried-and-true gifts that babies have loved for ages. From the softest booties that are sure to become instant heirlooms to developmentally appropriate graphic flashcards they’ll play with for hours, these are the best holiday gifts for babies!

The best Christmas gifts for newborns

Sh*t That I Knit The Lil Beans Gift Set

Sh*t That I Knit

$150

2. The Lil Beans Gift Set

Didn’t spend the last couple years honing your knitting skills? No problem. Leave it to the philanthropic pros at Sh*t That I Knit. Their oh-so-snuggly Lil Beans Gift Set includes a chunky knit Pima cotton blanket and matching baby beanie which are made by their female artisans in Peru. And it’s even already boxed up for gifting!

Mustela Musti Eau De Soin Spray Gift Set

Mustela

$39

3. Musti Eau De Soin Spray Gift Set

Yes, baby smell is delicious. (Mostly.) But until you can bottle it, the Musti Eau De Soin Spray from Mustela is a worthy alternative. The subtle citrus, rose, lilac and amber scented spray is made with chamomile and honey extracts to hydrate delicate skin and freshen baby linens as well.

Finn + Emma Macrame Swing

Finn + Emma

$99

4. Macrame Swing

Go ahead and try to find a prettier baby swing. We’ll wait.

Made by artisans in India, this wood and organic cotton macrame swing is just about the most swoon-worthy hang out we can imagine. And unlike its plastic counterparts, it practically doubles as home decor. No room inside? No problem. It’s suitable for outdoor use as well.

GoodnightNewYorkCityBabySleeper 2048x

Smaller Things

$40

5. City Sleepers

From NYC pride to California dreamin’, we just can’t get enough of the wanderlusty sleepers from new comers Smaller Things. Each of the location-inspired prints (NYC, LA, Texas, Boston, San Francisco and Chicago) are hand-illustrated with iconic sights and symbols on cozy organic cotton for sweet dreams that can take them anywhere.

Meri Meri Fox Bonnet and Booties Set

Meri Meri

$58

6. Fox Bonnet and Booties Set

A so-cute-it-hurts duo that’s as functional as it is photogenic. This bonnet and booties set from Meri Meri is crafted from organic cotton and sure to become an instant heirloom.

Fisher-Price Classic Infant Trio Gift Set

Fisher-Price

$34.99

7. Classic Infant Trio Gift Set

Classic for a reason, this trio of Fisher-Price toys have been loved for decades. The set includes their Rock-A-Stack, Baby’s First Blocks and Classic Xylophone in the ubiquitous rainbow color scheme to keep their attention as they work on those milestones.

Munchkin Baby First Bath Toy Gift Set

Munchkin

$16.65

8. Baby First Bath Toy Gift Set

For bath time fun, just add water! This sweet gift set includes three Munchkin favorites: White Hot Bath Safety Ducky, Scuba Swimming Bath Toy, and Little Boat Train to make those first year splashes safe and fun.

Feltman Brothers Cable Knit Longall

Feltman Brothers

$59.50

9. Cable Knit Longall

Does it get any more darling? This long-sleeved knit coverall is just the type of future heirloom piece to gift to a loved one with a new babe.

Lovevery The Looker Play Kit

Lovevery

$80

10. The Play Kits

Not only are Lovevery toys developed with experts–they also take the stress out of playtime. The Lovevery toy kits are designed with baby milestones in mind and feature a selection of toys to keep playtime developmentally appropriate and engaging. Kits are delivered every two months and come complete with activity suggestions for parents as well.

 

Fisher Price Chill Vibes Walrus Toy

Fisher Price

$14.97

11. Chill Vibes Walrus Soother

A lovey that vibrates *and* plays music? The Chill Vibes Walrus is sure to be your baby’s number one take-along buddy.

Elenest the nestling wearable handsfree towel

Elenest

$39

12. The Nestling Wearable Handsfree Towel

Hooded towel meets cozy babe-friendly robe with this luxe bath time must-have. The Nestling from Elenest is an absolutely ingenious design that not only makes it easier to take your wet baby out of the tub–it also keeps you from getting soaked in the process. The super soft terry is cozy and absorbent and those ears? Totally photo-ready.

LouLou Lollipop Bubble Silicone and Wood Teether

LouLou Lollipop

$25

13. Bubble Silicone and Wood Teether

The combination of soft silicone beads and textured wooden rings makes for an ideal teether to help soothe sore gums. Even sweeter? The beechwood and silicone bead rattles are handmade locally by grandparents in Vancouver.😍

beiens high contrast flashcards for babies

Beiens

$19.99

14. High Contrast Baby Flashcards

High contrast, graphic images are captivating for newborns, and these fun flashcards can help make that time in between feeding and napping more engaging.

Copper Pearl Bandana Bibs

Copper Pearl

$21.95

15. Rex Baby Bandana Bibs

You can’t have enough of these bandana bibs for sopping up dribbled milk and drool all in the name of keeping clothes dry (read: less laundry for tired parents).

pip pea pop babysuit

PiP Pea Pop

$36

16. Babysuit

Versatile, adorable and oh-so-cozy, PiP PEA POP’s babysuits are made with babies and parents in mind. With clever features like a detachable bib, fold-over footies, and a two-way zipper to make diaper changes easy-breezy, it just might be the only clothing you want to put them in. And you can even make it extra giftable by adding personalization!

MilkKloud Organic Lovie

MilkKloud

$21.99

17. Organic Cotton Stuffing Bunny Lovey for Babies

Littles will love snuggling up with this soft organic cotton lovey, and they’ll be able to work on their palmar grasp, too, thanks to the handy knot ties on the corners and sweet floppy ears.

Jan Brett's The Nutcracker

Jan Brett

$15.99

18. Jan Brett's The Nutcracker

The timeless classic gets a gorgeous update thanks to the spellbinding illustrations of Jan Brett. Start a holiday tradition of reading this tale aloud to your infant on their first Christmas Eve—you’ll both cherish the ritual for years to come.

Monti Kids Montessori Newborn Kit

Monti Kids

$75

19. Montessori Newborn Kit

It’s never too early to start stimulating that developing brain, and the Monti Kids Montessori Newborn Kit has everything new parents need to promote skills like early body control and concentration.

Gathre Mat Mini Colors

Gathre

$52

20. Mini – Colors

For everything from tummy time to impromptu park playdates to messes big and small, the Gathre mini mat is a game-changer. It packs up small, wipes clean and comes in an array of beautiful solid shades or muted yet graphic prints.

Nivas Baby Cashmere Booties

Nivas

$30

21. Matching Cashmere Sock Booties

Just one q: Do these come in adult sizes?

Grimm's small rainbow pastel christmas gift for newborns

Grimm's

$21

22. Small Rainbow

A staple in Montessori and Waldorf classrooms, the Grimm’s rainbow stacker can become a tall tower to knock down, a place to hide small toys, or a colorful mountain landscape.

7AM Enfant Bunting Bebe

7AM Enfant

$85

23. Bunting Bébé – Teddy

What’s sweeter than a snuggly sherpa bear? This top-rated bunting sack is a must for long bassinet strolls in colder climes. We also love these pour maman.

Lalo First Bites Set

Lalo

$35

24. First Bites Starter Kit

A sweet and chic gift for baby’s first meal, parents will especially love the neutral color palette and the fact that the bowl features a suction cup underneath (hopefully fewer messes!)

Coyuchi Remi Organic Jersey Quilted Snuggle Sack

Coyuchi

$78

25. Organic Cotton Quilted Snuggle Sack

When little babes graduate from swaddles to a sleep sack, this organic cotton quilted version from Coyuchi is our pick for the sweetest (and softest) dreams.

Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales

Beatrix Potter

$19.99

26. Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales

Regale that little love with tales of Peter Rabbit, Flopsy, Mopsy and the rest of the gang with this collection of stories that’s sure to be treasured for ages. Perfect for read-aloud storytime.

A version of this story was published December 2, 2021. It has been updated.