Marketplace: Favourite Gifts for Babies and Toddlers

Between my own nephews and nieces and all of my friends’ babies, I have bought so many baby gifts over the last decade or so. Like many areas of my life, I approach baby gift buying quite simply. When the babies started coming, I thought carefully about what my favourite items were, and then I basically resorted to buying them in bulk. Honestly. Today I’m sharing with you some of my signature baby gift items; they seem to be well-received by babies and parents alike.

Jellycat stuffed animals are the softest, and the faces are super sweet. I tend to buy a lamb or a bunny, but lately I’ve picked up the giraffe, and I just love it. There are so many good chewing options for babies…ribbons, tails, arms…awesome! I’ve got my eye on the unicorn and owl, too. I do tend to stay away from the bear…it’s just a bit too classic for my taste.

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Jellycat bashful bunny

I always buy books for babies and kids. Reading is one of the single most important things that people can do for and with kids, in my opinion, and I do my part to encourage it! My all-time favourite book for babies/toddlers/kids is Each Peach Pear Plum. This was my favourite book as a young kid, and it gives the reader so much to look at and learn!

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Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg

I also buy just about any Dr. Seuss book, but Green Eggs and Ham remains my all-time favourite.

For one-year olds, I often buy One by Kathryn Otoshi. It’s a beautiful book with sweet, simple watercolour artwork.

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One by Kathryn Otoshi

Now that my friends’ babies are turning two, I’ve started buying Two by Kathryn Otoshi in bulk. Why ruin a good thing, right? 9780972394666_IL_2_dfc8f

Two by Kathryn Otoshi

I also find Press Here by Herve Tullet to be an exceptionally fun book and any kid that I have given it to seems to have really enjoyed it (two others in the collection are Mix it Up! and Let’s Play). For Christmas, I sent my nephews and niece a bunch of Laura Ljungkivst’s Follow the Line books, and they seem to have liked them quite a bit. I’m also always on the lookout for Barbapapa books (in French, English, or Italian) for my nephews and niece; I love the creativity of these stories.

Do you have signature gifts for babies, toddlers, kids, or others? Do tell!

Update:

4 Comments

  1. Kathlyn February 25, 2016

    My kids have loved the Each Peach Pear Plum book to the point that it’s falling apart. Thank you for all your well thought out gifts. Xo

    Reply
    • Jordana February 25, 2016

      I have to send over a replacement for baby #3!

      Reply
  2. Rox-Anne February 25, 2016

    I feel like I am surrounded by boys – Everyone around me who has had a little one has had a boy! I always buy The Little Prince. It’s a story I read to my Little Prince and both he and I love it. Another favourite gift I give to new moms is a wicker laundry basket with bath products for both babe and mama, soft towels and baby footie pj’s and lots of little things that I remember loving when my boys were little (like gripe water, what a lifesaver!)

    Reply
  3. Sarah February 25, 2016

    So very timely, Jordana! My nephew turns 1 this weekend and yes, there will be a party! I plan on keeping your faves in mind. Thanks!

    Reply

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