Top Ten Gift Ideas for Babies Under 12 Months

A new addition to the family can make the holidays seem even more festive. Babies can be quite entertaining during family gatherings, playing with wrapping paper and bows, teetering as they try to sit or even stand on their own. Celebrating a first Christmas with family and friends is a wonderful event.

If you find yourself with a new baby on your holiday gift buying list here are a few items to consider:

1. A set of small sports balls (about 4 inches in diameter). Babies who have mastered tummy time or more are sure to love playing with balls or just watching others roll the balls for them. Make sure that the balls are lightweight so that the baby can pick them up on his own. And, brighter colored balls or black and white balls are best.
2. A set of Lamaze baby books. These baby books have soft pages with several engaging patterns, shapes, and textures to discover which make them ideal playthings for the car or just playtime. Baby books also encourage a shared reading time and babies do like having books read to them.
3. Stackable rings. The colored stackable rings help babies develop good hand-eye coordination as well as early problem solving skills. Available in plastic or cloth varieties.
4. Nesting toys such as the Nesting Action Vehicles from Fisher Price. The nesting trucks roll across the floor and can also stack carefully on top of each other. Like the stackable rings these toys help develop hand eye coordination along with sorting skills.
5. Musical toys such as the Ocean Wonders crib toy by Fisher Price help to soothe a baby to sleep or provide a fun stimuli on waking. The key to buying a fun musical toy is to make sure that the baby's interactive buttons are bigger and engaging.
6. Rattles. Babies are fascinated by brightly colored objects, especially when they make noise. And babies who are learning cause and effect really enjoy shaking and throwing rattles around. For a baby under six months you may want to consider a soft plush rattle.
7. A play mat. All babies need a spot for playtime and tummy time. A play mat encourages a baby to explore his area. The bright colors and interactive buttons, connected toys and lights can increase his fun.
8. Baby's First Blocks by Brilliant Basics. These multi-colored plastic blocks vary in shape and fit in the shape-sorting lid of the bucket. This is a fun way for your baby to learn shapes, colors, sorting and stacking. Plus all the pieces are stored in the colorful bucket.
9. Baby Einstein CDs. These CDs are great for car trips and playtime. The classical tunes done in fun instruments for baby can help him develop better learning skills. And, mom and dad will appreciate having a new CD to add to the rotation.
10. A new outfit. A cute new outfit to add to a baby's wardrobe is never a bad idea. Make sure to get an outfit that is the next size up so he can have something to grow into!

There are so many baby toys available that buying for babies can seem like quite a daunting task. While shopping the baby toy aisles you should remember that babies like bright colorful objects with contrast. A younger baby, under six months will appreciate toys that are black and white more than toys with too much color. Toys that have several different textures are fun as well. Books with crinkly pages or toys with teething rings can be highly entertaining. Also, if you are buying for a baby under six months old, a softer toy is best. Babies like to play while lying on their backs, lifting the toys above their heads. Soft toys, when dropped won't scare or hurt a baby. Also, remember that babies like to explore new toys by putting them in their mouths. So, make sure that any toys you might purchase don't have small parts that could become dislodged from the toy and wind up potential choke hazards. And, don't hesitate to ask the parents for ideas. Another great resource for baby gift ideas are other shoppers!