What on earth do you buy a baby?

[Babygifthelp]

I need to buy a Christmas gift for a baby! Baby is 6 months old. I don't have kids, I have absolutely no idea what gift to get. Cuddly toys are off limits apparently. Help please!

Clothes, toys for the next stage when they’re sitting up, ones with lights or things that make noises when they hit them?

How about books? It won't be long until they can interact with some of the touchy-freely board books. And nice story books will be appreciated for years to come, even if it's a bit early for them now. We started reading to DD quite early - mostly in the middle of the night when she was comforted by hearing our voices.

A book with flaps to lift, a toy remote / car key with lights and buttons. A voucher for a shop that sells kids’ clothes or shoes.

Little Dutch is a really cute brand with boys and girls toys. Also jabadabado. A lot of wooden/interactive toys. Both available on Mabel&fox website and you can use NEW10 for 10% off

Larger sized clothing as they probably have everything in for the next couple months. Maybe 9-12 or 12-18. Keeping in mind what season it will be then. Sleep suits are always used and I think of as a good gift.

Gift voucher? Next/h&m for clothing or smyths so they can use it as they please in the baby section when the baby does need something

Ask the parents .Any kind of sensory toy that crackles, lights up etc

Board books
Bath books
Buggy books

all fairly small to store, and always a hit!

What's your budget?
bath toys
books
Early learning centre website is good as they list by age group

I have seen some sort of sensory/teething toy in the shape of a game console controller which looks quite cute. Dad's a gamer as well so that could be good? I'd rather avoid clothes etc. A book could be good. Does it need to be for a 6 month old baby or can I get something they'll read as they get older?

Board books or any of the Julia Donaldson books- doesn’t have to be specifically for a baby
Clothes for a few months time (so summer clothes in 12 months size)
Nice cup or plates

My friend got my dd a ceramic drinking mug (two handled) for her first birthday. Like a child’s tea cup. I thought it was a bit of an odd gift for a baby. But that thing has stood the test of time! She is in secondary school now and still uses it from time to time.

Buy them your favourite Christmas book, they’ll love reading it year after year. Write a nice message inside the front cover. I still read some of my favourite old books to my children and it’s lovely when people have written “Merry Christmas” And the date in the front cover.

Vtech first steps baby walker. The front panel comes off too. On offer on Amazon at the moment.

Lift the flap books
A stacker toy
Basic blocks
A small doll. Dozy dinkums are lovely for younger kids although not cheap.
Chunky toy cars or animals.

What about something sentimental? I like the idea of a Christmas book, something beautifully illustrated like the Beatrix Potter books but definitely too old for her, does that matter?

I think books to grow into / keep are a nice idea for a 1st Christmas

I guess my question is whether it's better to go with something useful that she'll actually be able to use/play with at this age (plastic keys, stackable toys, bath toys etc), or something sentimental that she'll be able to enjoy for years (like the Beatrix Potter books, or a hairbrush with her name on, stuff like that)?

This toy was hugely popular with my DD at that age and into toddlerhood and I've bought it for friends and family babies who all loved it too. Cheap but lasts forever and is fun but helps learning too.

amzn.eu/d/0yCUem5

A treasury of Beatrix Potter would be a lovely gift, alternatively I’m sure there are baby versions? Stacking cups are always a good gift.

My baby was 6 months at Christmas time and someone bought me a shoe voucher for their first pair of shoes. It was really helpful at the end of maternity leave.

Have you read all the MN threads complaining about everyone asking parents what to buy their DC? 😂

I would ask them if there is anything they would particularly like you to buy or a preference for clothes, a toy or a book but let them know that you are fine if there is nothing specific.

If you go to a book store or toy store (or online) everything is labelled with age suitability for babies. It’s usually best to get the next size or age category up as the parents probably have everything they need at the moment eg anything up to around 12 months for a 6 month old.

I have a three month old and I'd definitely prefer something she can use when she's a bit older and can be used across multiple years. The Beatrix Potter book sounds perfect. Babies outgrow stuff so fast in the first year and it's hard to know what toys they will or won't like - mine already has preferences!

Thank you! I think I'll do this, I'll get a beautiful Beatrix Potter as well as a little sensory/teething thing, then that covers both bases.

Thanks all!!