Kindred Gift Guide | Baby's First Christmas
This Guide is near to my heart because this year is our baby Lane’s 1st Christmas! It would be easy to not really shop for her (which would be fine — she doesn’t know the difference!), but it has been fun to assemble some items that I feel would be exciting or useful for her. I especially wish I had known about some of these things when Thea, my oldest, was her age. I feel like baby’s first Christmas is really about sharing & making memories, not about gifts. BUT it can be a nice opportunity to invest in quality toys that will last your little one a long time, and it is always good to have some suggestions ready for family members who may ask ;)
What I Love
BlaBla Kids is a US based shop, whose toys are handmade in Peru. They have worked with the same fair-trade artisans for FIFTEEN years!
I love that they offer gender neutral designs.
My big kids both have Blabla dolls — Thea has had her flower doll since she was born and still plays with it 4.5 years later! We love their whimsical features & cuddly soft bodies.
Two of our favorite Blabla Kids dolls in their favorite playroom spot :)
What I Love
This is hands-down my favorite board book & one of my favorite picture books of all time! I love the lyrical prose, artful illustrations, and engaging lesson.
The lovely cadence will capture the littlest listener, while the beautiful message will engage older children as well.
I have a separate favorite books list coming soon — there are just SO MANY! (I’m working on an Amazon Affiliate store!)
What I Love
Minnetonka is an iconic, US company, now 4th generation family owned! They still use the same premium materials & craftsmanship that they did when they first opened.
There are SO MANY leather moccasin style baby shoes on the market today. It can be overwhelming! I love this winter bootie for its leather and sheepskin materials (super warm!), plus the drawstring to pull the laces tight so they stay on! We have this exact pair and love them.
What I Love
This is an iconic, classic toy by US-based Manhattan Toy Company.
It is now available in a natural rubber wood option, with the same engaging “squishability”.
What I Love
You may think this is a strange choice for a baby toy/necessity, but our is well-loved and so versatile! It is nice to have baskets in different rooms to coral toys in a beautiful way, and even better if the vessel also serves as a toy itself! It is fun for young babies to “put things in & take things out” — this basket is perfect for this activity.
This basket is handmade by fair trade artisans in Ghana and is durable enough to last for years to come. We have them in different sizes in every major room of our house!
It can also be used at Halloween & Easter for treat gathering :)
Ou mini bolga basket fits perfectly in our playroom shelves, but right now it is in the living room with Lane’s wooden blocks.
What I Love
Briar Baby is arguably the most premier bonnet maker in the US, with good reason! Their premium materials, heirloom-quality craftsmanship, and perfect fit have gained a cult-like following.
I love this gender-neutral linen stripe for its classic, versatile look. The sherpa lining is clutch for the winter months.
What I Love
See this Toy Guide for what I love about Manzanita Kids.
Choose from 3 different beautiful wood options. It both looks & sounds beautiful. It can also double as a musical instrument!
What I Love
Lovevery is a US-based company, started by 2 friends passionate about equipping parents with the best research-driven information & coordinating play products for every developmental age.
This may be the only “toy” your baby/toddler really needs this Christmas! “Possibly the most comprehensive block set ever designed” — Yep, seems so to me! Go watch the video to see what all this toy contains and can do!
70 heirloom-quality pieces that work with each other in more than 20 stage-based activities!
What I Love
It can be easy to forget how important it is to engage ALL of baby’s senses. Music is such a fun way to do that!
This is one of my favorites for the car because it soothes EVERYONE, and is not like most annoying kid music! It is such a bonus that every word is Scripture.
Happy Christmas from me & my little guy on his first Christmas TWO YEARS ago!
If you have a baby this Christmas, my challenge to you is not to find the most perfect presents or to try and buy him or her all.the.things — even though it may be tempting! I pray that you begin to see Christmas through the eyes of a child again, which is really the most magical & wondrous of viewpoints! The lights, the music, beautiful sparkling colors, the hustle & bustle … step back, observe, and experience the world anew. See, babies give us gifts, too :)