There can be so much pressure put on families at Christmas. From the perfect tree to delicious food and great gifts, it can be easy to lose sight of what Christmas is all about: spending time with loved ones. Christmas doesn't have to be just about gifts, especially when your little ones are small, so focus on things they will need and don't overdo it. Use our lists, curated by age, for practical ideas of what to get your little ones this festive season. And, if you're constantly being asked by relatives what they should buy your little one, why not set up a gift list or registry and direct relatives to buy from it? That way, there are no double-ups and you know you'll get what your baby needs and nothing else.
Stocking Stuffers for 0-6 Month-Old Babies
Babies this age won't know that Christmas is upon them, and they still spend a fair bit of time sleeping, so give a gift that's practical or something they will grow into. Babies in this age range grow fast, so buying ahead is a good idea, especially as they'll be teething or starting solids before you know it. It'll also be their first summer, so while it's recommended to keep babies out of the sun as much as possible, it is a good idea to be sun-safe, especially if there's an older sibling, which means your baby will be out and about with them.
1. Muslin Baby Blanket
This lightweight muslin blanket is ideal for the summer months. Highly breathable and super soft, this baby blanket can be used as a blanket, when out and about in the buggy, or even as a playmat.
At 75 x 100cm, it's generously sized and can be matched with the rest of the Little Unicorn range, which includes muslin swaddles, towels, bibs and more.
Shop Little Unicorn Muslin Baby Blanket >
2. Cuski Comforter
Once your baby is 7 months old, you can start to use a breathable comforter for overnight sleeps, so if your baby is nearing this age, it's a great gift to have on hand for when they reach 7 months. We highly recommend Cuski comforters; however, there are also some beautiful muslin options by Little Unicorn and The Sleep Store.
3. Hooded Baby Towel
Make post-bathtime snuggles super soft and cosy with The Sleep Store Hooded Baby Towel. Our customers love how soft these towels are, and we have matching face cloths available too!
View all Hooded Towels & Facecloths >
4. Board Books
A story together before bed is an important part of a bedtime routine, and it's a wonderful bonding experience for babies and their caregivers. Board books are ideal for younger babies because of their durability, simple stories and large illustrations.
5. Starting Solids
Most babies start solids at around 6 months of age, so think ahead and give a practical gift that will help support their solids journey. The Bumkins range is a fun and practical way to get started, with durable silicone dishware and utensils.
Melii is another customer favourite, with practical and cute designs including suction bowls, cutlery, fresh food feeders, lunch boxes and more.
6. Sippy Cup
Along with starting solids, you'll also be introducing your baby to water. A sippy cup is a great way to help minimise spills while teaching your little one how to hold and drink from a straw or cup. For longevity and value for money, a transitional cup such as the Morepeas Essential Sippy Cup or the B.Box Transition Value Pack are excellent options to support your child from their first sips through to toddlerhood.
7. Teether
By 6 months of age, your baby may already have one or two teeth and, if not, they'll likely be making an appearance soon. Teethers are a great way to help soothe sore gums and also make an excellent sensory toy in the meantime.
8. Sunhat
Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of the sun as much as possible due to their sensitive skin. That said, getting outside is important for both your mental and physical wellbeing, so a good sunhat is an essential item. We love the Bedhead range of hats, which combines excellent sun protection with practical, baby-friendly designs. Their wide-brim and legionnaire styles provide fantastic coverage, which is especially important under the harsh Australasian sun.
9. Short Sleeve Zipsuits
It can be difficult to keep babies cool on the hottest summer days. The Sleep Store's range of 100% cotton singletsuits, bodysuits and shortie zipsuits helps keep your baby comfortable while allowing their body temperature to regulate naturally.
10. A Playmat
Young babies spend much of their awake time on their backs and, as they develop, they'll need space to practice rolling and enjoy tummy time. A playmat provides a dedicated space for baby, especially if they have older siblings and when they are mobile, they can be used as nursery decor. We adore the Crane Baby range of playmats, which are soft & plush. They are hand-quilted, but also machine washable, which is a bonus for spilly babies. Bo & Ko also have a good range of playmats.
Stocking Stuffers for 6-12 Month-Old Babies
Your baby will now be much more active and curious about the world around them. They'll be feeding themselves more independently and will likely be on the move, keeping you on your toes! This is a great time to introduce bath toys, books and other engaging gifts that support development and help build a strong bedtime routine. Here are some ideas for your growing baby.
1. A Cuddly Friend
Now that your baby is a little older, you can introduce a cuddly friend for playtime and comfort. They can carry their soft toy with them in the buggy, when visiting friends or family, and throughout their daily adventures. Depending on the style you choose, it may even become a special bedtime companion. We adore the Jellycat range of bunnies and animals, as well as Happy Horse, a beautiful collection designed in the Netherlands.
2. A Fun Wash Mitt
Add some fun to bath time with a roaring dinosaur, prancing unicorn or sleepy owl wash mitt. We have a range of super-soft washcloths available, with matching towels to complete the set.
Choose from character washcloths, jersey washcloths or muslin styles.
3. Books
Books never go out of style as a thoughtful gift. Not only do they encourage strong bonding between babies and their caregivers, but they also support language development by increasing exposure to a wider range of words. Books are often an important part of a bedtime routine, helping little ones wind down at the end of a busy day.
4. Swim Nappy
Whether it's swimming lessons, splashing in a paddling pool or exploring the shallows at the beach, many little ones love spending time in the water. Building water confidence from an early age is especially important in New Zealand, where water activities are such a big part of our outdoor lifestyle.
Customers love the bright designs of the Nestling Swim Nappy, as well as the comfortable elastic waistband and reliable leak guards around the legs.
5. Rash Vest / Swimmers
As your baby starts exploring the beach or joining you in the pool, it's important to protect their delicate skin from the sun. The Nestling swim range offers practical, sun-safe options designed for little adventurers.
There is also a beautiful Katherine Quinn collection featuring rash vests with matching swim nappies, alongside the popular Neon Swimwear range.
We've designed the Neon range in response to customer demand for highly visible swimwear that also provides excellent sun protection.
Shop the Neon by Nestling range >
6. Swim Hat
Traditional sunhats often become uncomfortable once they're wet, with cold, floppy fabric that can fall into your child's face. That's why we love Bedhead's range of Swim Hats. These UPF 50+ hats feature a unique anti-flop brim that stays in place, even when wet.
They're chlorine-resistant, quick-drying and provide excellent sun protection thanks to their generous brim coverage. Available in both Bucket Hat and Legionnaire styles, they're a practical summer essential.
7. Sorting Toys
Sorting toys help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and problem-solving abilities while keeping little ones entertained. We love the Hauck range of wooden toys, which are made from sustainable FSC®-certified wood.
The range also includes toys that can attach to Hauck high chairs, making it easy to keep little ones entertained during and after mealtimes.
8. Baby Sunglasses
Protect your baby's eyes from the harsh Australasian sun with a stylish and durable pair of Ro.Sham.Bo Baby sunglasses. The lenses provide 100% UVA, UVB and UVC protection and are shatter-resistant. They're designed to be flexible, ultra-lightweight and durable, making them a practical choice for active little ones.
Shop all Ro.Sham.Bo Sunglasses >
9. Bath Toys
Bath toys are great fun during bath time, but they can also be used for water play outdoors. Our top tip is to choose toys that are easy to clean and dry thoroughly, such as stacking toys. Not only do they encourage imaginative play, but they're also perfect for keeping cool on warm summer days.
10. Clothing / Sleepwear Upsizes
Babies continue to grow quickly during their first year, so gifting the next size up in clothing or sleepwear is always a practical option. It's no secret that we love merino for its temperature-regulating properties, but cotton is also a fantastic choice thanks to its breathability and softness.
Singletsuits, bodysuits, zipsuits and pyjamas are everyday essentials that are always useful for layering throughout the seasons.
