Holiday Gifts to Make Any Baby Go Ga-Ga

If you’re considering gifting baby a stuffed animal for Christmas, then this is a perfect present for your little treasure. As soft as a marshmallow, this sweet, clutchable unicorn will see your little one through long car rides, doctor visits and victorious battles with monsters in the closet.

This play gym from Lovevery is a guaranteed good time. Designed by child development experts to deliver engaging activities, the mat has five different play zones, and easily transforms into an adorably cozy fort—so you can use it for the first 12 months and beyond. It’s also eco-friendly, thanks to sustainably sourced wood, and pretty darn stylish to boot. Oh, and did we mention that this pick is a 2022 Best of Baby winner?

Crafted from organic cotton, this sweet, knitted rattle is easy for tiny fingers to clutch and shake, which makes it ideal for encouraging baby’s fine motor skills. We’re also obsessed with the ultra-unique, festive elf design (there’s a super-cute reindeer version too!). Baby Christmas gifts that are adorable and development boosters? Yes, please.

Next up: An innovative product pegged as a must-have by celebrity parent (and all-around style guru) Tan France. The Baby Shusher is a portable sound machine that emits a rhythmic shushing sound, which mimics in-utero noises and engages baby’s natural calming reflex. Trust us, this is one newborn Christmas gift new parents will thank you for.

This soft, huggable plush toy is so much more than a stuffed animal—it flaps its ears, plays peekaboo and sings songs to delight your little one. It has our vote as one of the must-have baby Christmas gifts this year.

Can’t settle on a toy for baby’s first Christmas gift? How about a trio of treats? This cute garden-themed set includes a soft bear, a teething ring and a book with crinkle pages. Talk about getting some serious bang for your buck! Plus, the teething ring is made from natural unfinished wood free from unsafe chemicals, so baby can happily gnaw away.

There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with baby Christmas gifts that give back. When you purchase one of cuddle + kind’s adorable handmade toys, the brand donates 10 meals to children in need. The heirloom-quality present is one your kiddo will love more and more as they grow older. We also like that each doll comes in two sizes (one smaller, one larger). If baby has a sibling, consider getting a matching set.

Here’s another baby Christmas present that’s easy on the eyes: This multi-sensory clutching toy has a minimalist design that makes it stand out from other newborn Christmas gifts. What’s more, it’s durable and utterly fascinating to curious infants.

Searching for foolproof newborn Christmas gifts? Check out this stylish set by Sophie la Girafe. It includes the beloved classic teething toy, snug slippers and a seasonal baby beanie—trés chic.

Inspire baby’s imagination to soar with this plush dragon activity toy. The crinkly feet, squeaky nose and vibrant, soft fabrics will stimulate your little one’s senses as they play. Baby will love pulling on the white clip to make the dragon’s wings flap—plus, it features a signature Lamaze link for on-the-go fun.

These sweet baby booties are perfect for the holiday season. Made from soft fleece, the shoes will keep teeny toes warm in chilly weather. This pick comes in a range of sizes and designs, including reindeer, snowman and Santa styles.

Pajamas make great Christmas gifts for babies and kids of all ages—and Hanna Andersson is known for their high-quality PJs. Crafted from organic cotton, this cute sleeper suit has flatlock seams for added comfort and a practical full-length zipper. Plus, the quirky Fair Isle print, adorned with candy canes and gnomes, is perfect for your littlest holiday helper.

Teethers make perfect baby Christmas gifts for a 3- to 6-month-old; it’s around this time that babies, well, teethe! But don’t settle for any old design—especially when you can buy this unbe-leaf-ably cute one. The handmade, kale-shaped toy also doubles as a bath toy, and everyone is sure to get a kick out of seeing baby nibble on it.

Dreaming of a winter wonderland? This festive activity pad, featuring woodland critters, will transform you and baby to a whimsical scene. The ethically produced organic cotton pad is perfect for baby’s first Christmas gift (and a great travel toy to boot). Your child will discover hidden sensory delights, including a rattle, squeaker and maple teething ring. Brownie points for the eye-pleasing monochromatic design.

This “MP3 player” is easy to grasp and fun to play with—making it one of the best baby Christmas gifts. Your mini musician can press the large center button to toggle through seven classic tunes. Meanwhile, colorful lights dance across the screen to promote visual-perception skills.

Babies at this age are beginning to discover cause and effect, so encourage curiosity with an engaging toy that makes noise when they shake it. This Christmas gift for infants is lightweight for easy play, chew-safe and colorful enough to really catch baby’s eye.

Baby may be so taken with this floor mirror they’ll forget they’re doing tummy time! Those neck, shoulder and upper arm muscles will be getting stronger in no time. The reflective toy also promotes visual development.

We’re in love with this darling dog activity toy by SkipHop. It has multiple textures, patterns and sounds that are ideal for multi-sensory play at home or on the go. Plus, the pup’s bandana doubles as a teething toy that mom can detach and wear around her wrist—genius!

Is baby experimenting with tummy time or crawling? Give them a confidence boost with this too-cute alligator. The toy was developed with movement-based learning in mind, and features a contoured surface to keep your kiddo comfy. What’s more, it’s equipped with wheels to help baby explore their space, improving natural coordination and mobility.

Are you a big fan of taco Tuesday? Share your favorite meal with baby all week long with this fun newborn Christmas gift idea. The three-piece set includes an avocado rattle, a crinkly taco and lemon and lime clackers. Playtime will be a fiesta when this toy is around, thanks to its contrasting textures and vibrant colors.

Can’t get enough of holiday apparel? Then you’ll love this sweet, knitted sweater for baby. Full of festive flair, it’s decorated with a Fair Isle-style design and smiling gingerbread men. Just imagine your little one wearing this for pictures beside the Christmas tree—too cute!

This woodland critter is so easy to push, pull and make music with, even for little hands. It has movable beads attached to work baby’s fine motor skills too. Aren’t cool Christmas toys the best?

Looking for practical Christmas gifts for babies? Consider this buttery-soft towel set by LouLou Lollipop. The generously sized towel keeps baby’s head and hands warm, thanks to the hood and pockets, while the matching washcloth is gentle on delicate skin (and get a load of that whimsical winter print!).

This three-stage baby activity center will grow with your child as they develop their motor skills and become a more independent player. It seamlessly transitions from a bouncing seat for babies to a sturdy table for toddlers to use while snacking, coloring and more. The toy features more than 25 activities to captivate your child’s imagination at any age, and clip-ons are also available for extra fun. It’s easy to see why this activity center has been a Best of Baby award-winner for multiple years in a row!

Baby Christmas gifts (the best ones, at least) magically charm infants with their brilliant simplicity. Here’s a prime example: This cheerful knitted bunny is super-soft and cuddly, not to mention cute—check out that mini Christmas jumper!

Make some cozy memories with this baby Christmas gift set. It comes with the classic tale Twas the Night Before Christmas and a matching set of cotton jammies for baby. Feeling festive yet?

Looking for baby Christmas gifts that literally make a splash? This wind-up penguin bath toy actually swims through the water. Plus, it’s a small, affordable option, making it a perfect stocking stuffer.

The best infant Christmas gifts spark creativity. And this adorable avocado guitar is sure to be a hit with your mini musician. Designed with tiny hands in mind, it has seven songs to keep your pint-size superstar entertained. Spin the avocado “pit” for twangy tunes, press the light-up buttons and rock out!

This sweet penguin wobbler will rock, spin and “waddle” whenever your kid bats at it. It also has a built-in bell that jingles a baby-pleasing sound. Together, the features are sure to entertain your little one for hours.

Our next pick on the best gifts for baby’s first Christmas is a Toy of the Year 2022 Finalist—and with good reason. This cuddly learning toy has been thoughtfully designed to introduce little ones to mindfulness, emotions, first words, animals and so much more. Bonus: Scout can even learn your child’s name before he’s unwrapped on Christmas morning!

Keen to start new family traditions? Give baby this jolly tale as their very first present, then read it to them every year around the holiday season. The book is filled with cute animal illustrations and read-aloud rhymes that count down the days until Christmas. Choose from a selection of characters and add baby’s name to the story for an extra-special keepsake.

Next on our list of favorite baby Christmas gifts this year is the Dimpl sensory toy from Fat Brain Toys. Little fingers love to explore—and they won’t be able to resist these vibrant silicone buttons in varying sizes and colors. Babies can push them all the way in to pop them through to the other side—so simple, yet absolutely fascinating for littles. Plus, there’s even a matching bath toy set for water fun!

When it comes to finding the best Christmas gift for a 9-month-old to one-year-old, you can’t beat a classic stacking toy. Made from recycled plastic, this set of stacking cups is dishwasher-safe and suited for regular playtime, bathtime or a trip to the beach. And the cups are numbered to help teach slightly older kids counting skills.

The best baby Christmas gifts will stimulate kiddos well after the holiday season has ended. Cue: This wooden Pikler triangle. Made from FSC-certified birch hardwood and stainless steel hardware, the toy will be a staple in your playroom for years to come. You’ll love this climber’s modern, minimalist design, and baby will love reaching new heights during playtime. Better yet, when this climber isn’t being used, it seamlessly folds flat for easy storage.

Fishing for baby’s first Christmas gifts can be tricky—but in our experience, bath toys are always winners. This colorful boat comes with a captain, fishing hook, four ready-to-catch fish and more. The grabbable pieces foster hand-eye coordination and can be tucked away inside the boat once playtime is over. Set sail for bathtime fun!

Does your kiddo love to dance? Then this next toy on our list of baby’s first Christmas gifts is a no-brainer! This musical toy will bop with your little one as they listen to educational songs together. Baby will learn the alphabet, counting, colors and opposites while they enjoy colorful lights and 75+ sounds.

Another one of our favorite baby Christmas gifts to help encourage motor skills: These pull-back vehicles from Melissa & Doug. They’re perfect for older babies who are ready to grasp and pull. Once they’re pulled back, the plush cars zoom off, to your little one’s great delight.

Is your little one ready for lift off? When baby presses down on this helicopter’s propeller, it’ll soar across the floor, motivating them to try and crawl after it. Then, when they press the side buttons, they’ll be treated to fun songs and lights. The educational baby Christmas toy also introduces them to colors, letters and numbers.

This baby Christmas gift is sure to be a home run with the kiddo in your life! The fun-filled activity center includes basketball, soccer and baseball toys for your little sports fan to choose from. It even features an interactive concession stand and a light-up scoreboard for endless entertainment.

Gift baby a stuffed animal that’s extra comforting this holiday season. This panda plushie encourages calmness and sensory play, thanks to sweet lullabies and heartbeat vibrations. Whether it’s bedtime or playtime, baby is sure to love this toy’s friendly face and soft fabric.