Having a newborn in the family at Christmas time is extra special, and giving your baby a gift is a lovely way to show how excited you are about your precious new arrival.

Everyone might be asking you, or you might be wondering yourself, what to give your baby for their first holiday season.

Aside from eating, sleeping, pooping, and snuggling, what else could they possibly need? They certainly don’t need a lot of toys (your face is their favourite!).

Well, wonder no more. We know you have a lot going on right now, so we’ve put together this list of ideas for you to take all the guesswork out of it. Feel free to share it with your loved ones if they’re asking for ideas.

Christmas gift ideas for newborns

From the more practical gifts, sentimental gifts, to toys that encourage your baby’s development in the first three months, we’ve got you covered.

Toys with high-contrast images

Your newborn’s eyesight is still very underdeveloped so toys and books with bold, bright, and high-contrast images will catch their attention whilst supporting their brain and visual development.

You can find all sorts of high contrast toy ideas online, including mobiles, books, cards, soft toys, comforters, and rattles.

Toys for tummy time

Tummy time is important for helping to develop a baby’s head, neck, and upper body strength. Parents are advised to provide opportunities for it a few times every day from birth. The thing is most babies don’t enjoy it (see our tips for making it more enjoyable).

Help to make it more fun by giving them a few props and distractions, such as a mirror, a water mat filled with water and toys, wrist rattles, books, and silk scarves or fabric. A soft play mat is another great present idea, and some come with special tummy time cushions that go under their chest and armpits for added comfort.

Sensory toys

Newborns have an innate need for sensory nourishment that’s vital for development. It builds connection in their brain and helps to develop and establish emotional regulation. Read more here in the importance of meeting your newborn’s sensory needs.

Sensory experiences are free and readily available in their surroundings, but some lovely gift ideas are sensory bottles and bags (you can easily DIY them following these instructions), a bubble wand or machine, crinkly books and soft toys, baby-friendly massage oil, play gyms, rattles, textured balls.

Sentimental gifts

Gifts that help mark milestones and store treasured memories are priceless. The days are long, but the years are short, and for first-time parents, you don’t fully grasp that until it happens.

You won’t find a shortage of beautiful sentimental gifts online. From hand-drawn baby portraits, keepsake boxes, baby books, milestone blocks or cards, to handprint and footprint kits, and special teddies, there’s something for every budget.

Practical gifts 

There is nothing wrong at all with practical gifts for newborns. Babies might be small, but they sure do need a lot of stuff! Parents are always grateful for any kind of extra help with the essentials.

Think burp cloths, bibs, skincare, nappies, wipes, onesies, hairbrush, nail clippers, wraps, larger size baby clothes, socks, and teethers.

Personalised gifts

Give your gift the personal touch by customising it with the baby’s name on it, and it will become a lifelong keepsake. Parents will be appreciative with the extra thought and effort put into it. Etsy is a great place to start to look for small businesses who provide this service.

There are endless options available that can be personalised, including puzzles, baby blankets, hats, and bath towels. Alternatively, you might like to find something special that celebrates baby’s first Christmas, such as an outfit, bib, tree decoration, or Santa sack.

Gifts for you and your partner

Newborns are too young to really appreciate the magic of Christmas, and whilst baby gifts are wonderful, it’s more than okay to spoil yourself and your partner.

Parents of newborns would be grateful for both pampering gifts and basically anything that is going to make navigating the fourth trimester a little easier. That includes help and support.

We have a great list of practical gifts for new parents here plus 10 ideas to make baby’s first Christmas special here.

The team here at Newborn Baby would love to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year xx