When it comes to holiday shopping, nothing beats picking out presents for the little ones in your life. It’s a pretty great feeling to see the looks on their faces when they unwrap a package and find something fun inside. We still remember that feeling when we were kids, and what’s better than getting to recreate it for a little one you love? But it can also be tricky shopping for someone who can’t always tell you what he or she is wishing for, which is where today’s gift guide comes in. Whether you’re a parent or an auntie (real or honorary!), we hope this list takes any stress out of shopping for the tiniest tots on your list. Chock-full of fair trade toys, handmade goodies, and design-driven finds (including some of the latest products our editors spotted at the famous ABC Kids Expo this season), these are gifts that mama and daddy will cherish too. Take a look below…
For Babies:
1. Solly Baby Wrap, $65. Mamas who spend a lot of time wearing their babies know how nice it is to have a wrap that is as chic as any other item in their wardrobe. Solly makes the softest stretchy wraps in all the chicest colors and prints, including this camel hue that we’re so smitten with this season.
2. Oeuf Pillows in Hot Sauce and Large Champagne, $80.
Oeuf’s cute and quirky pillows make the perfect gift for the mama with a sense of humor. Whether you use them as nursery décor or in a grown-up bedroom, they are quite the conversation piece.
3. The Little Market Pom Pom Mobile, $88.
Every babe needs a pretty mobile above his or her crib, and this colorful pom pom creation is as cute as they come. Available in several different color schemes, there’s one for every nursery.
4. Skip Hop Playspot Geo Foam Floor Tiles, $79.
Skip Hop’s foam mats are a staple in the homes of all of our friends who have babies. They provide a soft surface for infants to lie and crawl around on, in chic color palettes and patterns. And since they’re made up of individual tiles, you can adjust the size and shape to fit any room in the house. Brilliant!
5. Pinhole Press Photo Finger Puppets, $17.
Pinhole Press is our go-to for sweet and sentimental photo gifts for littles. One of their latest additions is this fun finger puppet set that will allow you to entertain your little one with the help of a few familiar faces. (Tip: Since they’re so compact, they are especially great to stash in your diaper bag or purse when you need to busy an antsy kiddo in a restaurant!)
6. The Little Market Baby Rattle, $10 – $18.
The Little Market wins for cutest rattles we’ve seen. From beets to corn to an ice cream cone, they come in all the cutest shapes, handmade by women artisans in Bangladesh.
7. Briar Bonnets Forest Pom Bonnet, $48.
There’s nothing cuter than a baby in a bonnet—it’s a fact! Briar Bonnets will keep your little one’s head warm and protected from the elements in the most stylish way possible, whether you choose a style with a holiday pom, a brim, or another cute collection.
8. The Little Market Duck Stuffed Animal, $26.
The Little Market has a whole collection of cute plush animals for the baby on your list, but this ducky is one of our faves. As an added bonus, you can feel good about the fact that it is fair trade and your purchase helps to create jobs for women in Peru.
9. Matimati Gray & Coral Baby Bandana Bib Set, $16.
From drool to spit-up to solids and everything in between, a bib is a required accessory during baby’s first year. These bandana bibs, which come in a four-pack, turn a necessity into a style statement.
10. Stokke Steps Chair & Bouncer, $199 – $249.
If you’re already a fan of Stokke’s timeless, design-driven Tripp Trapp chair, this might be your new favorite piece of baby gear. The bouncer attaches right on top of the high chair, so you can have your baby at the table with you from birth, and then use as a regular high chair later on.
For Toddlers and Kids:
1. Barbie President and Vice President Dolls 2 Pack, $25.
This Barbie set is perfect for the mini feminist on your list. What a fun way to encourage a kiddo you love to dream of a world where girls can be anything they put their mind to.
2. Nobodinoz Ice Cream Corner, $99.
This Barcelona-based brand was an ABC Kids Expo discovery that we’re just obsessed with. (Think pastel hues galore!) Lucky for us they just launched their U.S. online store in time for holiday shopping. (P.S. If you’re looking for a big-ticket item to put under the tree, we also love their tents and play huts.)
3. The Little Market Mini Heart Purse, $44.
This mini purse might be on our own wish lists too, but it’s sure to be a big hit with the under 10 crowd. Handmade by refugee women living in Texas, it’s just the right size for everything your toddler or tween needs to carry.
4. Tegu Magnetic Blocks, from $20.
It seems that Tegu blocks make our gift list every year. Whether you go for a stocking stuffer pocket pack or a larger set, these eco-friendly, sustainable building blocks will spark hours of imaginative playtime.
5. Izzy and Ferd Tibetan Flowers Tunic, $45.
There’s no time like the holidays to splurge on a stylish statement shirt for your mini fashionista. Izzy and Ferd is one of our go-to brands for the chic little ones in our life.
6. Kangovou Kids Dishware and Bento Box, from $20.
Mamas and daddies, we’ve discovered the kids dishware to make packing lunches a breeze. It’s double insulated, durable, and comes in the sweetest pastel hues. But the best part about the bento box is that the walls are adjustable, so you can control how large or small the individual compartments are. Pretty brilliant design, right?
7. Melissa & Doug Wooden Brew & Serve Coffee Set, $16.
If you’re a parent who can’t live without your Keurig, then your kiddo needs this play version of your favorite coffee maker.
8. Solly Baby Solly Dolly Wrap, $25.
This pint-sized wrap is the perfect gift for a big sister or brother who sees their parents baby-wearing all the time. Pair with a brand new baby doll for the complete package!
9. The Land of Nod Larry the Llama Ride-On, $149.
The Land of Nod is one of our favorite shops for toys and gifts galore, including this ultra-adorable ride-on llama. It looks pretty sweet as nursery décor for a younger babe too!
10. Zuzii Kids’ Oxfords, $65 – $70.
Why not gift your kiddo the coolest kicks around? This doe printed pair is one of our new favorites from Zuzii, but there are so many colors and prints to choose from. All of Zuzii’z shoes are handmade in Los Angeles, and they come in adult sizes too in case you want to snag yourself a matching pair!
Do you have any kiddos to buy for this season?
Let us know your favorite gift picks in the comments below.
XO Team LC
Photo: The Little Market