The holiday season is so exciting with a little baby in tow! As your kids get older you create new and exciting traditions when they can understand more about the celebrations. But if you happen to be celebrating the holidays with a newborn or infant, you may be wondering if you need to be buying them presents, what to buy, and how to navigate social gatherings.

From a few moms with kids from ages 1-10, we hope these helpful ideas will help you.

Do I need to give my baby a gift for the holidays?

This one is really up to you! We polled our Instagram followers and most said they did buy a gift for baby.

You can “gift” items you know they’ll need in the immediate future, or even wrap things they already have.

Teether toys and books are two of our go to favorites.

Other ideas: pajamas, baby blanket, or a new toy.

Some advice I’ve heard from moms and wished I had done: ask for bigger items you’ll need down the road from family who is asking what to gift. Or ask for a contribution to their savings, a subscription, or even a service you might find helpful like diapers or baby food. 

A fun idea for a baby that I loved is a mini ball pit set up for Christmas morning! 

If your baby is sitting up or really great at tummy time, a mini ball pit is such a fun surprise and sensory experience. The bonus is that most fold up or can be put away after. 

Handling Social Gatherings 

Navigating social gatherings can be tough when you’re managing nap times, especially if you have a newborn. Don’t be afraid to bring a packable crib and don’t forget the white noise machine! There are some amazing travel options available to keep in your travel diaper bag.

I loved having a baby wrap on hand for baby to sleep in and it eased my worried about germs a little during the winter months. 

Remember Your Darling Moments 

Lastly, enjoy your time and snap a few photos for your memory book together. Having others around is a good opportunity to ask someone to take a photo of you as a family and to get in the photo yourself!