Best newborn and baby Christmas gift 2021: From sleep aids to cuddly toys

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

We don’t need to tell you that kids grow up fast. For a gift that will keep up with them, Lovevery’s clever play kit subscription sends age-appropriate developmental toys, every two to three months. Suitable from newborn to toddler, you simply enter the child’s birthday, and an engaging selection will wing its way to them, complete with a play guide offering suggestions on various ways to use each Montessori-inspired item.

You can also buy a one-off kit if you prefer, shipping is carbon-neutral and the toys are made from eco-friendly, sustainable materials. We couldn’t have been more impressed.

Best: Baby gym

Rating: 9/10

Before babies learn to crawl, a baby gym and its dangling toys will keep them entertained while developing their hand-eye coordination. This is a delightful example, with a curved arch made from light beechwood and organic charms with an under-the-sea theme. Beautifully made and a dream to look at, these include a wooden seashell teether, knitted teether, crochet whale and heart charm. They’re detachable too, so can be washed and played with wherever they go.

Best: Book gift

Rating: 9/10

It’s never too early to start reading to your baby, and Wonderbly makes it a total joy with its range of personalised books. The brand launches new titles every month, but we are particularly smitten with “Peekaboo, I Love You!”, a sweet, playful story for newborns to three-year-olds. You select the character and enter your baby’s name, which you’ll see subtly scattered throughout the pages, and there’s also space at the front to dedicate a special message.

Best: Luxury gift

Rating: 9/10

Made from deep-pile merino sheepskin, Binibamba’s luxe liners are designed to add a cosy layer to buggies, bassinets and bouncers, and come with pre-cut strap holes for both three and five-point harnesses. Aside from making the most adorable backdrop for the endless photos you’ll be taking, it’s also naturally hypoallergenic (proven to reduce allergies and asthma in babies), and thermoregulating; meaning it will keep them toasty in the winter and cool and dry in the summer.

We were worried it would get dirty quickly, however, this wonder fabric is naturally self-cleaning and antibacterial (isn’t mother nature clever?). Genuinely softer than a baby’s bottom, we just wish they made one big enough for our king size bed…

Best: Rocker to gift

Rating: 9/10

While there are some things that are non-negotiable before a newborn arrives – a cot, pram, babygrows and a car seat to name but a few – certain things, such as a rocker, can be seen as a “nice to have”. This is precisely why we think one as luxe as this makes the perfect gift.

Made from beechwood, with an organic cotton cushion, the mid-century modern design will fit elegantly into your living room (so is as much a gift for the parents, as the baby), and creates a gentle rocking motion to lull them off to sleep. It can be used from day one, up until about seven months and also works a treat with the Binibamba sheepskin snuggler (£95, Binibamba.com).

Best: Weaning gift

Rating: 9/10

While children only need milk until the age of six months, after that the weaning adventure begins. This stylish four-piece set, presented in a giftable box, promises to make mealtimes fun with a cute animal design. It includes a plate, bowl, spoon and cup, all made from BPA-free silicone (so it won’t smash when it invariably ends up on the floor) and is dishwasher safe too. Choose from dark rose, mustard or sea blue.

Best: Festive outfit

Rating: 9/10

It can be tempting to dress your little one up in a festive outfit for the day, but for something with a little more longevity, we like this subtle candy cane stripe sleepsuit. It’s made from Mori’s signature snuggly organic cotton and bamboo fabric and can be personalised with up to ten characters.

Available in sizes newborn to 24-months, parents will be forever grateful for the concealed two-way zip front, which makes nighttime feeds that little bit easier. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll never go back to poppers.

Best: Soft toy

Rating: 9/10

Every baby needs a favourite soft toy, and Archie the elephant is quite simply the softest specimen we’ve found. Floppy and cuddly, we can see this being dragged everywhere they go. It’s suitable for newborns and perfect for bedtime snuggles as they get a bit older. And for Christmas, he’s joined by a suitably festive reindeer who’s just waiting for a loving home.

Best: Activity cube

Rating: 9/10

Combining a bead frame, shape sorter, maze and moveable gears to keep little hands busy, this activity cube combines four toys in one handy box. We like the wooden construction, muted tones and cute illustrations, as we’re keen to avoid the colourful plastic for as long as possible. It’s recommended from 18 months onwards and will help to develop their coordination and fine motor skills while providing hours of entertainment.

Best: Doll

Rating: 9/10

Granted, this beautiful handmade doll is probably a little too special to hand over to a newborn. However, we still think it makes the perfect gift, as the colourful character will look great in the nursery until they are ready to look after it themselves (the suggested age is from three years). It’s part of the Selfridges project earth initiative, which aims to introduce its customers to more black-owned brands. This range aims to represent all children, including boy dolls in bow ties.

Best: Pram accessory

Rating: 8/10

Give new parents the gift of a sleeping bubba this Christmas, with this genius battery-powered contraption that attaches to your stroller or pram. It will continue mimicking the reassuring rocking motion that got them off to sleep, even if you’ve decided it’s time to stop for a quick half in the pub. It’s suitable from birth and is rain-proof too.

Best: Designer kidswear

Rating: 9/10

We think the best gifts are the ones that feel a bit too decadent to treat yourself to. Which is why Mini Rodini’s two-piece baby kit is perfect. Made from soft, sustainable stretchy lyocell, it includes a pair of plain black leggings and the brand’s signature leopard print long-sleeve body. They’ll be the best-dressed baby in sensory class…

Best: Baby journal

Rating: 9/10

This quality hardback journal comes in seven chic neutral shades and has space to jot down statistics, milestones and treasured memories, from before they arrived, right through until their 18th birthday.

Whether we’ll keep it up for that long is yet to be seen. However, the clever prompts such as “funny things you’ve said or done include…”, as well as ample space for photographs will certainly make us try to fill it up as best we can. It also arrived beautifully gift wrapped.

Best: For capturing memories

Rating: 9/10

Now clearly, this is more of a gift for the parents, than the child itself, but the Instax mini 11 is the perfect partner to the Month of Sundays baby journal (£42, Monthofsundaysjournal.com). Ensuring the early years photos you’re taking will actually be printed out and kept forever, rather than buried on your phone for all eternity, it was really easy to use – just point and click – and delivered bright snaps instantly.

It comes in five colours – blush pink, ice white, sky blue, lilac and charcoal – and we also liked the selfie function, for when we were trying to get the whole family in the shot.

Best: Sleep accessory

Rating: 9/10

There are certain kids toys and contraptions that are simply iconic and Ewan the dream sheep certainly falls into this category. You’re probably familiar with “white noise” but this glowing fluffster delivers less abrasive pink noise, lulling your little one off to the land of nod with recordings of heartbeats and womb noises.

This deluxe version (available in grey or purple) goes one step further, with a cry sensor that activates at the slightest stir, settling them before you have to get involved. Forty quid for a good nights sleep? Take our money.

Best: Baby skincare

Rating: 9/10

Babies are born with a protective layer of vernix, with many choosing not to bathe their baby for the first few weeks to allow this to be fully absorbed. When you do eventually choose to start using products, you’ll want to use natural formulas that you can trust won’t damage their delicate skin. Spice Girl, Emma Bunton, helped develop the organic Kit and Kin range after her son developed eczema, ensuring it’s completely free from parabens, silicones, synthetic fragrances and most common allergens.

This lovely gift box contains everything you’ll need for bathtime, including calming baby oil, gentle body wash, bubble bath, body lotion, and a soothing “magic salve” for use on trouble spots.

Best: Baby dressing gown

Rating: 9/10

For after bathtime, you’ll need a super soft dressing gown to wrap them up in. The White Company makes one of the cutest, with little teddy ears, front pockets and a waist tie. It’s made from the brand’s fast-drying and super absorbent hydrocotton fabric, so there’s no need for a separate towel and comes in white, blue, grey or pink in sizes newborn to six months, or six to 12 months.

Best: Stocking

Rating: 9/10

All of this lot will need to be stashed somewhere special, and where better than an oversized personalised Santa sack that they’ll reuse every year. In traditional red and white, it’s deep enough for a good selection of stocking fillers and can be embroidered with their name, making it a very special keepsake they’ll treasure for years to come.

This stocking is due to go live on 18 December, just in time for Christmas.