Top 10 Gifts for Baby’s First Christmas 

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There’s nothing quite like a baby’s first Christmas. We look forward to the traditions they’ll join and imagine those adorable photos of them under the twinkling tree. A new little life just adds so much wonder and joy to the holiday season.

But with that excitement comes the age-old question: “What should we get for baby’s first Christmas?” Since babies can’t express what they want, choosing a gift feels a little different. They enjoy simple toys they can touch and explore, but they don’t have the must-have items toddlers ask for.

Babies can’t tell us what they want for Christmas! So, here are our top picks for what to gift for baby’s first Christmas and why. These gifts are practical, fun and functional, and developmentally appropriate for baby’s first year.

Baby’s First Christmas Ornaments

Start a meaningful tradition by giving a keepsake each year—beginning with a baby’s first Christmas ornament. It’s a sweet way to honor your little one’s first holiday season. Each year when you hang it on the tree, you’ll be reminded of this precious moment in time.

There are so many beautiful options for baby’s first Christmas ornaments. You can go with something traditional, choose a personalized design, or pick one that’s handmade. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites to share in this post.

01. Baby’s First Christmas Outfit

Carter’s Baby’s First Christmas Bodysuit

We suggest gifting this one early so baby can wear it throughout the season. Snap some sweet photos of baby’s first Christmas in an adorable outfit! You can use these photos for the holiday card, too.

I love having a few seasonal outfits for baby. Whenever you look back on the photos, you instantly know what time of year it was and start reminiscing.

02. Smock Bib

Tiny Twinkle Smock Bib

Within the first year, babies start solids. With that comes lots of fun, exploration, and a little bit of mess! Smock bibs are a lifesaver for containing spills and keeping baby’s outfits stain-free.

Bibs make practical gifts! I love this fun snowman print for baby’s first Christmas. It’s not strictly holiday-themed, so your little one can wear it all winter long.

This bib has a strong Velcro closure, covers the whole torso, and is machine washable. Score!

03. Booties

Zutano Cotton Booties

These booties make a cozy Christmas gift for babies! I love them because, unlike most baby booties, they actually stay on.

Made from 100% cotton and available in a variety of colors, they’re perfect for keeping little feet warm. They’re also a good option to wear as baby starts learning to walk as they allow the toes to splay naturally and offer some grip on the bottom.

04. Pajamas

Burt’s Bee’s Baby Footie Pajamas

Can babies ever have too many cute pajamas? Grab a set of my favorite footie pajamas for baby’s first Christmas! Made from 100% organic cotton, they’re soft, breathable, and gentle on little ones’ skin.

I love all the fun prints and patterns Burt’s Bees offers. They certainly add some fun to the bedtime routine. And if your little one is anything like mine, they’ll wear these sleepers all day long! Because there’s nothing like a cozy day spent in soft pajamas.

05. Musical Instruments

Set of Wooden Musical Instruments

Make baby’s first Christmas a musical adventure! Whether your little one is just beginning to grasp objects or already sitting up on their own, there’s an instrument in this set they can enjoy.

These instruments let babies explore sound and rhythm while supporting sensory development. They’re also great for encouraging early language skills—practice imitation, introduce new words, and take turns passing the instruments back and forth. Not only does this gift offer wonderful developmental benefits, it’s one that will grow with your child through the toddler years and beyond.

06. A Toy for Sensory Exploration

Melissa & Doug Farmyard Cube

This toy is great for babies who are learning to sit as they find their balance. But if they’re not there yet, you can play with it together as baby’s back is supported against your chest.

It offers hands-on fun with crinkle pages, mirrors, and a variety of melodies. I like how it provides sensory exploration while working on developmental skills. My daughter loved it, and it makes a great toy for baby’s first Christmas!

07. My Favorite Cup

OlaBaby Silicone Training Cup

A practical feeding gift for a baby’s first Christmas is always a good idea. This is one of my favorite cups because it helps teach baby how to drink from a straw. Did I mention it’s the perfect size for a stocking stuffer, too?

Made from 100% plastic-free silicone, the OlaBaby straw cup features a valveless straw. You can also remove the lid and use it as an open cup, making it super versatile as baby grows.

08. Books

Baby’s First Books

You can never go wrong with books for baby’s first Christmas. Reading to your baby is one of the best things you can do. It lays the foundation for their cognitive, language, and social-emotional development.

When it comes to books for babies, look for ones with short and sweet sentences or touch and feel books with interactive elements. This helps keep littles engaged while reading! Some of my favorites are: See, Touch, Feel, Peek-a WHO?, and Where’s the Dog?

09. Stacking Spinner

Stacking Spinner Toy

A toy like this stacking spinner is sure to be a hit for baby’s first Christmas. Why? It’s simple yet mesmerizing. Even the adults will be playing with it by the Christmas tree!

Adapt how you use it based on your little one’s age. Your baby might start out by banging the pieces together and watching you spin them down the rod. It’s a toy that grows with your baby into toddlerhood.

It also supports important developmental skills like hand-eye coordination, cause and effect, and fine motor development. Plus, it’s a fun way to model functional language such as “up,” “down,” and “ready, set, go!”

10. Baby’s First Blocks

Melissa & Doug Soft Blocks

Grab these Melissa & Doug blocks and gift baby their very first set of blocks for Christmas. We love them because they’re soft, lightweight, and large enough to stack—plus they don’t hurt when they topple over or accidentally get stepped on.

You get a lot of bang for your buck with this Christmas gift for baby. Work on skills like stacking and matching with the different pictures on the blocks. Use functional language and encourage creativity! They’re a fun, creative way to support development while keeping playtime safe and engaging.

Looking for more?

If you’re working on tummy time, don’t miss my guide to the best tummy time toys to keep baby engaged.

Looking for more play ideas? Find our baby and toddler holiday gift guide – filled with toys for ages 0-4.