Editor’s Gift Guide: Here’s What’s on My Holiday Shopping List

I love the holiday season and all the traditions, decorations and cheerful coziness it brings—and if I’m being honest, I love the excitement of opening gifts. Figuring out what to give my father-in-law can be a migraine in the making, but picking out cute stuff for all the babies and toddlers (and their moms) in my life? Now that I’m all here for. Granted, it’s not an easy task, given the endless adorable options out there, but it’s one I relish. Here’s what I’m eyeing this year, in case you want to follow suit.

In this article:
Gifts for babies
Gifts for toddlers
Gifts for your mom friends

Gifts for Babies

Perry Mackin Silicone Fruit Teethers Gift Set

How cute are these teethers? The silicone fruits are multi-textured to soothe sore gums, and the “stems” make for easy gripping. You can even pop these into the fridge for cool relief. It’s a present baby’s parents are sure to appreciate— teethers are small and stowable, and anything that’ll ease baby’s cries is pretty much a gift from the heavens.

Buy it: $30, PerryMackin.com

Skip Hop Explore & More Sort & Spin Yeti

I’m a big fan of Skip Hop toys, and this adorable yeti is their latest launch. Designed for older babies and toddlers, this interactive toy teaches little ones about shapes and colors, and all the lights, sounds and spinning action are bound to keep tots enthralled for a good long while. Plus, the modern design is sleek enough that parents won’t mind this guy hanging around the living room.

Buy it: $30, SkipHop.com

BirdRock Baby Moccasins

There’s something about a pair of baby moccasins that melts my heart, but for something so small, they can get kind of pricey. Which is why I was so excited to discover BirdRock when my daughter was born—their moccs are made of soft, genuine leather, come in a range of trendy patterns and are less than half the price of other leading brands. (Bonus: You can score them on Amazon!) I’m gushing over the black and white gingham print for the holidays, but there are loads more to choose from.

Buy it: $25, Amaon.com

Plan Toys First Stacking Ring

Wooden stackers are one of my go-to gifts for babies approaching their first birthday. They’re great developmental toys, helping to boost little ones’ hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, color and shape recognition and understanding of counting. This one from Plan Toys is eco-friendly and gorgeous enough to double as nursery decor.

Buy it: $15, TheTot.com

Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

I bought this toy for my daughter when she was around 6 months old. More than a year later, it’s still one of her favorite toys. (Talk about play value!) The music cube plays eight different Mozart masterpieces and features buttons tots can press to hear either the full orchestra or specific instruments solo. Whether they’re passively listening to the music, selecting songs or bopping up and down to the tunes (as my kiddo is known to do), little ones are sure to love this clever toy.

Buy it: $24, Amazon.com

Gifts for Toddlers

Manhattan Toy Musical Llama

Llamas are having a moment right now, and with one look at this musical toy, you’ll understand why. (That face!) This gift is packed with play options, from a built-in xylophone to a removable maraca, spinning blocks and more. Parents will love the beautiful detailing on this painted wooden piece, and toddlers will love the chance to make some noise.

Buy it: $50, Amazon.com

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book

For tots learning to talk, this gift is a surefire winner. Little ones can turn the pages of the picture book to read about animals, activities, body parts, clothing and more, and as they touch the images, the interactive book calls out the names as well as sound effects and fun facts, in English or Spanish. You’ll be shocked at how quickly kids’ vocabularies expand.

Buy it: $18, Amazon.com

Baby Einstein Magic Touch Piano

For toddlers more musically inclined, a little piano is a great gift. There are a bunch of options out there, but this one caught my eye (and made its way into my cart). Baby Einstein and Hape teamed up to create a beautiful wooden piano that incorporates magic touch technology. As kids press the painted keys they’ll hear real piano sounds, and can choose to follow along with the sheet music or bang out a masterpiece of their own.

Buy it: $23, Amazon.com

Jellycat Bashful Bunny

Jellycat makes some of the softest, cutest plush animals you’ll find anywhere, making them great companions for toddlers to snuggle and play with. The brand offers a true menagerie, from this bashful bunny to a tentacled octopus and a gazillion animals in between, and in sizes ranging from 5 to 43 inches tall.

Buy it: $23, Amazon.com

Janod Zigolos Duck Stacker

Here’s a slightly more advanced wooden stacker for tots ready to learn their numbers. It offers the same classic stacking action, but the numbered rings and four towers lined up next to one another help drive home early counting concepts. If that doesn’t thrill little ones alone, the sweet duck heads definitely will.

Buy it: $28, Maisonette.com

Gifts for Your Mom Friends

duoFIT Built Like a Mother Tank

Someone gifted this to me a few months back, and it’s hands-down my favorite workout shirt right now. It’s incredibly empowering to embrace both your physical and emotional strength, as a woman and as a mother, and I feel like a badass whenever I wear this shirt. Its clever swing cut makes for a flattering fit, whether you’re pregnant or well past the postpartum phase.

Buy it: $35, BuiltLikeaMother.com

Copper Pearl Knit Headband Bow and Swaddle Blanket

When I gave birth, my hospital bag was pretty well stocked. The one thing I wished I had thought to bring was a cute swaddle and matching bow for my daughter’s first pictures—which is why I love gifting swaddle sets to my pregnant friends. Copper Pearl products come in super-soft fabrics and swoon-worthy patterns. I’m partial to this monochrome floral, but there are tons to choose from.

Buy it: $25 for the swaddle blanket, CopperPearl.com; $12 for the headband bow, CopperPearl.com

Eberjey Chic Long-Sleeved Sleep Set

If I could give my mom friends the gift of more sleep, it would be a no-brainer. Since that’s sadly not an option, the next best thing is an uber-cozy PJ set for whenever they do manage to grab some shuteye. This top and bottom duo from Eberjey is as chic as it is soft and comfy, so they’ll have no qualms about rocking loungewear all morning.

Buy it: $139, Anthropologie.com

Tiary Under My Spell Bracelet

Gorgeous jewelry makes for a great gift any time, but meaningful jewelry is that much better–and what’s more sentimental than a bit of bling featuring your child’s initial? I love the simple elegance of this bracelet and the fact that you can fully customize it, from the initial letter to the type of metal and even the kind of stone (birthstone jewelry, anyone?).

Buy it: starting at $113, Tiary.com

doTERRA Spa Kit

Being a mother is incredibly rewarding, of course, but let’s be honest, it’s also emotionally draining and physically exhausting, and can throw the best of us off balance. Enter: doTERRA’s Spa Kit, complete with four of their unique blends of essential oils designed to calm your nerves, soothe your muscles, promote inner harmony and energize you. Yes please.

Buy it: $80, doterra.com

Published December 2019 Plus, more from The Bump:

24 Holiday Gifts That’ll Make Any Baby Go Ga-Ga

60+ Awesome Holiday Gifts for Kids

The Perfect Gifts for Moms, According to Their Zodiac Sign