Keepsakes with the year on them
- A first Christmas ornament. With the baby’s name and the year, hung on the tree every December after this one.
- A handprint or footprint. Pressed into clay, or printed in ink on card and framed. Tiny hands are only this size once.
- A first-year photo book. The best pictures from birth to Christmas. Grandparents usually want a copy too.
- A letter for later. Write down what this year was like, seal it, and keep it for a birthday many years from now.
- A memory box. A sturdy box for the hospital bracelet, the first card and the first Christmas outfit.
Books to read together
Babies are never too young for books. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading aloud to children from infancy: the sound of your voice, the rhythm of a rhyme and the pictures come long before the words make sense. Short rhymes and big, clear pictures suit the first year best.
Practical gifts
- Clothes in the next size up. Babies grow fast, so the 6–12 month sizes get worn long after Christmas.
- A sleeping bag for babies. In the next size and a warm tog for winter nights.
- A play mat or baby gym. For the months of lying on their back and, later, tummy time.
- Bath books and soft toys. Labelled for babies from birth.
- Something for later. A contribution to a savings account, or to something bigger the parents are saving for.
Whatever you choose, check the age label. Small parts, long cords and button batteries are dangers for babies, and toys made for older children can have all three.
For grandparents and godparents
Ask the parents before you buy: a first Christmas often brings more presents than there is room for. A keepsake or a book is rarely a duplicate, and it is a gift that is still there when the toys have gone.