First Christmas gifts for babies that actually get used

Here's the thing about a baby's first Christmas. The baby has no idea it's happening.

They'll eat some wrapping paper. They might sleep through lunch. If you're lucky, they'll be awake for a photo with Nan. Everyone else gets very excited, and the baby gets about forty presents, half of which are noisy and most of which they'll grow out of by Easter.

So if you're buying for a little one this year, it's worth thinking about the parents too. What will they actually use? What will still be around in five years?

Here's what we'd suggest, as parents who've been on both ends of the Christmas gift pile.

Something they'll use every day

New parents go through a lot of the same stuff over and over. Wraps, bibs, sleeping bags, a decent nappy bag. None of it is glamorous, but a good quality version of something they use daily gets remembered.

If you're not sure what they've already got, ask. Most parents would rather be asked than get their fourth set of muslin wraps.

Something with their name on it

This is where we're biased, obviously. But there's a reason personalised gifts stick around. A blanket with a kid's name on it doesn't get regifted, doesn't get lost in a pile of grey onesies, and tends to come out again for daycare, the car, sick days on the couch and eventually the "remember when you were little" box.

Our blankets have the name repeated through a pattern on one side and in big letters on the other, with a different design on each side. They're 100 × 75 cm, so they work on the pram, the play mat and later on for daycare naps. The Australiana is our best seller, and a lovely one if there's family overseas.

Something for the photos

First Christmas photos are a big deal, and a lot of them end up looking the same: baby, Santa hat, slightly confused face. A blanket with their name on it makes a nice backdrop for the "first Christmas" photo, and it means the photo actually says who it is when it turns up in a family album 20 years from now.

Books

Board books are the safest bet in the world. They're cheap, they last, and parents will read them on repeat until they can recite them in their sleep. Bonus points for anything Australian (Where Is the Green Sheep? is a classic for a reason).

A keepsake that isn't a thing

Some of the best gifts we've seen aren't objects at all. A letter to the baby to open when they're 18. A savings account with a bit in it. A photo book of their first year. Grandparents are especially good at these.

Ordering in time

One practical note. Every one of our blankets is printed and sewn to order here in Australia, which takes 3 to 4 weeks. To get one before Christmas, order by 15 November. After that, we can't promise it'll make it under the tree.

If you're cutting it fine, get in touch through our contact page and we'll tell you honestly whether it'll arrive in time.

You can see all the designs in our personalised baby blankets collection, or our Australian baby gifts if you're after something a bit more Aussie.

Merry Christmas from both of us.