How To Ask for Developmentally Appropriate Gifts for Your Baby

Picture this: You open a well-intentioned gift the morning of Christmas. It’s a toy from your parents that they picked out specially for your baby. There’s just one problem – it’s something you never would’ve chosen for your child… and not in a good way. Now you have to figure out how to handle the situation or what to do with it.

Luckily, with a little pre-planning, you can lessen the chance that you’ll be in this position or avoid it altogether when receiving gifts for baby’s first Christmas.

Think About What You Want

Are you raising your child with the Montessori Method? Do you want to prioritize educational toys over entertaining ones? Do you want your child’s toys to be gender neutral? Are there types of toys you don’t want in your home? Do you want to read 1,000 books to your baby before kindergarten?
These are big questions! And chances are, you’ve already started raising your child in a way that feels most authentic to you. Thinking intentionally about the way that you want to raise your child can help inform the types of gifts you want for them. 

Communicate Your Wishes

One of the best ways to ensure that you receive gifts that are both thoughtful and appropriate for your baby's age is to communicate your wishes early and clearly to your relatives. Talk to them well ahead of the holiday season and let them know if there are specific items you'd like for your baby. This can be especially helpful for grandparents and other family members who may not be as familiar with the latest in baby products.

In everyday conversations, talk with your relatives about what you want for your child. Share the things that are important to you, the skills you want them to learn, and how you want your family to interact with them. By sharing how you want to raise your child, you’ll help lay the groundwork for the types of gifts that would not only be appropriate for them in the future, but that would help support the kind of experiences you want them to have and people you want them to be.

You can also communicate the types of toys you prefer family members avoid too. If you’re nervous about sharing your wishes with family members, try these conversation starters:

  • “Dad, I’m looking forward to spending Christmas with you! I just wanted to let you know that we’d like family members to avoid buying toys that flash and make noise.”
  • “Mom, I know you love buying toys for the baby, which we absolutely appreciate. This year, we’re focusing on educational toys for them.”

Think Outside the Box

Gifts don't have to be physical items. Virtual language or music classes, or online resources can also be great Christmas gifts for babies from family members who live far away or can't send a physical gift. 

We suggest asking a relative for Happy Little People™ Toddler and Baby Activity Cards for this reason – they’re available in a digital format, as well as a printed card deck.

Create a Gift List

If a family member asks for a gift list, assemble one and take them up on their offer to buy your baby something they want and need, and one that aligns with your wishes. Gift lists are a great way to give clear indications of what you'd like to receive for your baby. Family members want to be helpful and spend their money well, so take out the guesswork for them.

We recommend starting your list a few months ahead of the holiday season, and you can add to it as you see toys or items you like and want for your child. You can create a gift in your notes app, save one online, or keep a running tab on paper. We also recommend sending just a few items to different family members, which increases the likelihood that they’ll actually buy your suggestions if they’re not overwhelmed with options and decreases the likelihood that you’ll receive multiples of the same thing.

Sometimes, it can feel awkward to ask for gifts. Here are our suggestions to be mindful of when putting together a gift list.

  • When making suggestions for gifts, be mindful of the gift-giver's budget. If you know someone is on a tight budget, suggest more affordable options or gifts at different price points.
  • Incorporate your baby’s interests, such a specific animal or music, into the list. 
  • When choosing gifts, consider the environment. Look for toys that are made from sustainable materials and can be recycled or reused.
  • Remember, fewer toys are actually better for your child’s development! Steer clear of noisy toys that flash to keep overwhelm at bay.

Types of Gifts by Age

When selecting gifts for a baby, it's important to consider their age and stage of development. For example, a toy that is appropriate for a six-month-old may not be suitable for a twelve-month-old because babies are learning, growing, and changing every day.

Safety is paramount when selecting toys. As always, check the box for the age range of the toy to make sure that it is intended for your child’s age and stage. Be mindful of the skills your child needs to play with the toy and how easily your child can use the toy. Do not choose a toy that has any choking or safety hazards.

With that in mind, choose toys that are a good fit for your child’s age, skills, and interests. Opt for toys that are made of natural materials, can easily be washed, and are non-toxic. 

0-6 months

Babies love bright colors and faces. Look for toys that are safe, stimulating, and easy for your baby to grasp. Look for toys with bright colors, contrasting patterns, and different textures. Babies like to squeeze and shake toys at this stage. Babies at this age like:

  • Soft toys
  • Soft dolls
  • Board books
  • Teethers
  • Rattles
  • Babysafe mirrors
  • Stacking rings
  • Music and recordings of lullabies
  • Rhyming books

7-12 months

Your baby is on the move! They’re developing their muscles, working on their motor skills, and getting more mobile every day. Look for toys that encourage your baby to crawl, stand, and walk. Babies at this age like:

  • Large balls
  • Stuffed animals
  • Nesting toys
  • Water and bath toys
  • Puppets
  • Push and pull toys
  • Low, soft items to crawl over
  • Large blocks
  • Books
  • Dolls

1-year olds

Your babe is learning so many words now! Choose toys that promote language development and problem-solving skills. Toddlers at this age like:

  • Simple puzzles
  • Building blocks
  • Activity boards
  • Books
  • Pegboards
  • Large and small balls

2 to 3-year olds

Your child’s language development is speeding up. They have a good grasp on their fine motor skills. They’re testing their own physical limits and abilities. They love pretend play and are showing interest in art. Toddlers at this age like:

  • Wood puzzles
  • Blocks that snap together
  • Objects to sort by color, size, and shape
  • Toys with closures, like buttons, hooks, buckles, snaps, and laces
  • Child-sized furniture and kitchen sets
  • Dress up clothes
  • Puppets
  • Water play items
  • Non-toxic washable crayons, markers, and fingerpaint
  • Chalk and chalkboards
  • Rhythm instruments
  • Picture books
  • Large balls
  • Low climbers
  • Hammering toys

Preschoolers

With a longer attention span and a thirst for questions (and answers), your child is learning to experiment, make friends, and share. They love to play pretend and make art. They’re talking a ton and learning a ton too! Preschoolers at this age like:

  • Toys to collect and sort
  • Puppet theaters
  • Sand and water play toys
  • Safety scissors
  • Non-toxic, washable glue
  • Construction paper
  • Art sets
  • Large paint brushes
  • Playdough
  • Instruments, like keyboards, xylophones, maracas, and tambourines
  • Bowling pins
  • Wagons
  • Plastic bats and balls
  • A child’s workbench

What to Do With Unwanted Gifts

No matter what gifts your baby gets this holiday season, it's important to be grateful and express your appreciation to your loved ones. A simple thank-you note or a phone call can go a long way in showing your gratitude. It’s also never too early to model gratitude for your child.

But what do you actually do with the gift?

  1. If the gift would be more developmentally appropriate for your child in the future, keep it tucked away until the child is old enough to play with it.
  2. Return the gift if you have a gift receipt and exchange it for one you’d like to have for your child.
  3. Donate it to a local community organization or charity.
  4. Gift it to another family, if the gift aligns with their values. 

Remember, you can’t control what someone ultimately gives as a gift. By following these tips, you can help lay the foundation with family members to encourage thoughtful and appropriate gifts for your baby this holiday season.