Christmas Gift Ideas for the 3 Month Old

With Christmas just around the corner, you may be thinking hard about what to get everyone on your list, and that might include new babies that have joined your family or your friends' families. Here are some great ideas for Christmas gifts for a 3 month old (or younger).

1. Money
It'll be quite a long time before the baby you know will be able to enjoy receiving gifts, so why not give him the gift that'll help his future? Donate to his college fund or to his piggy bank. No matter how big or small the gesture, every bit counts, and every parent can be appreciative of such a gesture.

2. Baby supplies
This is more for the new parents of the baby, but picking up an extra box of diapers or wipes, or even a few bottles of baby bath soap is helpful and doesn't have to be too costly.

3. Photo frame
For a cheap but meaningful gift, pick up a special frame for baby, like this one (which you can also find in blue), and take some photos of baby and his family to fill the frame in afterwards. For bonus points, include a 'baby's first Christmas' ornament and you've got a complete and thoughtful gift set.

4. A special book
A nice, thoughtful gift is a book that means a lot to you or to the baby's parents. For instance, my husband has always been touched by 'The Giving Tree' by Shel Silverstein, and so has decided to pick it up this Christmas and inscribe it with a special message for our daughter. And although she can't read it herself just yet, I'm sure it'll be special to her later in life. Other great classic book ideas are:

Where The Wild Things Are
Goodnight Moon
You Are My Love

5. Mirror
It'll be awhile before he recognizes that he's looking at himself, but a baby mirror is a great gift for a 3 month old. Just make sure it's a mirror that's meant for an infant as opposed to the breakable types. Some favorites include:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3159253

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3922163

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3829910

6. Playmat
For a 3 month old, a great 'toy' is a playmat. It can provide a stimulating start to the much-needed tummy time. Some favorites of mine:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2737988

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2402051

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3076120

7. Wearable rattles
Since 3 month olds (or younger) do not quite have much muscular control over their arms and legs just yet, one fun toy to gift is a set of wrist and ankle rattles. Why? It actually can keep their interest for a bit, because they're not yet aware that they're even moving their limbs, so the rattling noise provides a surprise every time they move. And with the bold primary colors these usually come in, they're fascinating to look at, too. Some of my favorites:

http://www.learningcurve.com/lamaze/product/detail/LC27111?locale=en_US

http://www.learningcurve.com/lamaze/product/detail/LC27091?locale=en_US

8. Anything in red, white, and black
It's common knowledge in the 'new parenting' world that infants start seeing bold and primary colors around 3 - 4 months, especially white and black contrasting and bright red. This would then be the perfect time to buy baby some brightly colored soft toys, and there are some great choices for even the youngest of customers:

http://www.learningcurve.com/lamaze/product/detail/LC27076?locale=en_US

http://www.geniusbabies.com/black-white-red-jingle-ball.html