I’m a mum-of-two and this is my Christmas gift guide for babies and new parents

As a mum-of-two, I remember very well the mix of joy and confusion when it came to my children’s first Christmas. Finding a present for a baby can be tricky, especially when they’re too little to truly understand or enjoy the occasion. What do you get for someone who’s more interested in a crinkly piece of wrapping paper than the gift itself? 

Add to that having to manage the generosity of well-meaning family and friends who want to shower my kids with presents. While their thoughtfulness was heartwarming, I found myself reminding them to think practically. Instead of a toy that’s too advanced for a six-month-old that might sit in a box for months, everyday essentials that can be enjoyed by both the baby and you is likely the better path to follow. 

So, when it comes to baby gifts and gifting for new parents, practicality is your best friend. A gift doesn’t have to be filled with toys to bring joy. Items that make life easier for parents or add a touch of comfort to a baby’s daily routine can be just as special. 

Related: best Christmas toys for all ages

Whether it’s something to streamline feeding times, a soothing addition to bedtime, or even a baby-friendly skincare product, these thoughtful choices show you’ve considered what life with a little one is really like - and that makes all the difference.

Starting with this gorgeous unisex soft knit baby carrier by Ergobaby that’s suitable from birth to 12 months old. It’s cosy, easy to use, comfortable for your baby and compact for stashing in your baby bag.

Ergobaby Embrace Soft Knit Baby Carrier Cream, £100 | Buy now from Boots

At this time of year, you can never have too many sleep bags to keep your baby warm and comfortable. Mumsnet users rave about Tommee Tippee’s baby sleeping bags, which I can personally vouch for myself. 

Tommee Tippee Baby Sleep Bag for Newborns, The Original Grobag Swaddle Bag, 0-3m, 2.5 Tog, £17 | Buy now from Boots

Mumsnet seal of approval: “The Tommee Tippee Gro Snuggle ones are the best as they have the option to use it as a conventional sleeping bag or popper the arms shut to use it as a swaddle. So no matter what your baby’s preference, which you really can’t predict, you know you’ve hedged your bets and you won’t have wasted money!” TropicalTrama

Next up, another welcomed gift for winter warmth is this spotty padded snowsuit by Maybe Baby that’s available in sizes from birth up to two years old. 

Maybe Baby Spotty Pink Padded Snowsuit, £26 | Buy now from Boots

This gorgeous Sophie la Girafe knitted cardigan is available for newborns up to 12 months. Made from 100% cotton and crafted with care, this cardi is designed to keep little ones comfy and warm. 

Sophie la Girafe Cardigan, £14 | Buy now from Boots

A brand I personally love, use and recommend is Mustela. In fact, I was SO pleased when the French baby skincare brand launched in Boots this year. For a gift, Mustela’s gentle cleansing gel is a great choice as it can be used for hair and skin and is suitable from birth. 

Mustela Gentle Cleansing Gel, £8 | Buy now from Boots

Mumsnet seal of approval: “Both my boys have very dry, sensitive, eczema prone skin, and I use a brand called Mustela which I found at our local pharmacy. They have a lovely rich face cream especially for babies and young children, and also a sort of big lipsalve thing to use on faces in this really cold weather. They work really well for us if used in the morning and evening.” H930

Help your little one drift off into dreamland with My Little Coco’s sleep well gift set. Enriched with organic coconut oil and scented with soothing lavender, chamomile and vanilla, adding this to the bedtime routine will help encourage a calm and restful slumber. 

My Little Coco Sleepy Head Sleep Well Gift Set, £10 | Buy now from Boots

For parents on the go, any gadget that can make life easier with your baby is well worth the money - like this RapidCool™ Feed Maker by Nuby that can help you prepare your baby’s bottle fast. 

Nuby RapidCool™ Baby Bottle Making Kit, £70 | Buy now from Boots

Mumsnet seal of approval: “100% yes, [it] made making bottles out and about so easy and quick. I did carry a flask of boiling water with me also.” Sagittarius25

My DC loved a Matchstick Monkey or three as we navigated the teething phase, so believe me when I tell you, an extra teether or two is always appreciated! This Matchstick Monkey Gigi Giraffe starter set is a great gift IMO. 

Matchstick Monkey Gigi Giraffe Teething Starter Set, £16 | Buy now from Boots

I am a firm believer that you can never have too many muslin squares whether you have a baby, infant or toddler. For comfort or for cleaning, they’re handy to have around the house and stashed in your baby bag. These cotton ones by aden + anais™ are a firm favourite.

aden + anais™ Essentials 5 Pack Cotton Muslin Squares Natural History, £23 | Buy now from Boots

Mumsnet seal of approval: “Aden and Anais hands down. If you aren't too fussed about the designs you can get really good offers on them on the Boots website. My little one turned out not to be a sickly baby at all but the large muslins were great for using as blankets in the summer. They get better and softer after each wash as well. I [was] given other muslins as gifts but nothing compares to the A&A ones.” Luckyelephant1

Another entry from Maybe Baby on this list is this lovely spot fleece blanket that’s sure to keep your baby warm and snug throughout winter whenever you head out. 

Maybe Baby Spot Fleece Blanket, £12 | Buy now from Boots

What delivery options does Boots offer over Christmas?

Boots offers several delivery options for Christmas shopping.

Click & Collect is free for orders over £15 or costs £1.50 for smaller orders. Customers can place an order by 8 PM and collect it at a selected store on their chosen day (excludes airport stores).

For Standard Delivery, orders over £25 qualify for free delivery, while smaller orders cost £3.95, though some items like medicines and third-party products are excluded.

If you need your order sooner, Next Day Delivery is available for £4.95 with orders placed by 10 PM, delivered between 8 AM and 9 PM the next day. Alternatively, you can select Named Day Delivery for £4.75 and schedule delivery up to 14 days in advance.

For same-day delivery, Boots partners with Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats in certain areas - simply order through their apps from participating stores.

For bulky or heavy items, delivery costs £5.50 or £12.99 for items over 50kg, with delivery typically within five days.

What is Boots' returns policy for Christmas?

Boots offers an extended Christmas returns policy for gifts purchased between October 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025.

For online orders, you can return unused items in their original condition with the order number for a refund to the original payment method.

For in-store purchases, returns are accepted until January 31, 2025, with an original receipt for a refund or exchange. If you present a gift receipt, you can exchange the item or receive credit on a Boots Gift Card at the current selling price.

Normal exclusions apply, and statutory rights are unaffected.

Related: Best Christmas gift hampers for this year

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.

Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she brings parents content designed to make life easier. As a mum-of-two, she knows all too well how much things can cost as a family. So, she's fully invested in finding the best Christmas gifts for parents and their families this year. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog.

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