BFP’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

by Tana Hoban. Really simple, high-contrast book that was an absolute favorite in the newborn phase. Before they develop the ability to clearly see colors, babies are drawn to high-contrast black and white images.

This is the perfect little teether for newborns and infants. It’s easy to grip and has a very soothing shape. Perfect for picky babies, like Sebastian!

This is the first book that Shanna bought for her first daughter when she was a newborn. The high-contrast, black-and-white images are fun for the littlest babies to stare at.

Laura’s mother in law got this cute little jellyfish shaker as a gift and it was a hit! When you rattle the shaker, it plays soft classical music and lights up, allowing newborns and infants to experience cause and effect, but it isn’t annoying!

The perfect toy for little hands — this doubles as a teether and a rattle! This is an absolute favorite for newborns and infants and should be a must-have for every new baby!

If your baby is having trouble with tummy time, this mirror can help! It has high-contrast designs, is soft and safe, and can be propped up right next to the baby so they can check themselves out during tummy time!

This soft, comfy soothie holder is a favorite among new parents for soothing their little ones.

This puzzle mat is a cheaper (and adorable) alternative to the Baby Care playmat.

Sophie is a beloved classic for good reason! She has a soft texture, a pleasing squeak and is perfect for teething.

An activity play mat is perfect for newborns and infants to keep them entertained during tummy time. This Baby Einstein 4-in-1 activiy play gym has a kick-and-play piano, multi-sensory toys and more to occupy little ones while they are on their tummies, on their backs or in a sitting position.

This soothing nightlight and sound machine is perfect for the nursery. For newborns and infants, you can turn on soft, warm light for nighttime wakings. When your kids get older, it can be turned into a nightlight of any color, set to a timer or controlled through wifi. Laura uses this as a “ok to wake” clock for both her boys.

Very simple but effective bouncer that babies love! You can dock your baby in this bouncer starting at 8 pounds, and let them enjoy how their own body movement gently sways the bouncer. Laura was able to get a lot of housework done while her baby happily bounced away in this thing.

These teether keys can be tossed in the fridge so baby can teeth on something textured and cold.

These cups are a fun addition to the bath! They have holes in the bottom that can sprinkle water. Outside the tub, they can be stacked or nested.

This is the perfect little teether for newborns and infants. It’s easy to grip and has a very soothing shape. Perfect for picky babies, like Sebastian!

These cute board books use a fingerprint texture and found objects to create collages to teach colors, the alphabet, counting, and more. Laura assumed they were for young toddlers at the oldest, but Auggie is almost 5 and still loves reading his Alphaprints books!

These translucent juggling and play scarves are great for sensory development, songtime, and playing peekaboo with your baby. You can stuff them into a box and learn about object permanence, drape them over the baby’s head to their neverending delight, and throw them into the air to see them flutter to the ground.

From size 6M to 6T, these costume pajamas are a great option for kids who want to play dress-up and be comfy at the same time. (Old Navy also has a firefighter version, if that’s more your speed.) Auggie and Sebastian love these pajamas and pretending they’re doctors, just like their grandma Susan.

Shanna’s daughters loved this snuggly sensory toy with high-contrast colors, crinkly wings and hidden mirror.

We love this adorable book with soft pages and adorable animals hidden behind crinkly flaps.

If you’re going to have the best bubble machine, you should have the best bubble solution! It’s a little pricey, but this makes the best bubbles that don’t sting little one’s eyes and don’t stain! Can even be used indoors (though it might get slippery on hardwood.) We buy this stuff in bulk!

This wooden piano is great for babies and young toddlers. The keyboard is touch-activated, and it comes with cards that can either auto-play a tune or help you learn to play. This was a major hit with both Auggie and Sebastian.

Shanna’s baby received this subscription when she was a baby and is still enjoying it today. It has cute rhymes, stories, songs and pictures.

This thing is a bubble MACHINE, if you catch my drift. Bubbles for daaaaaays.

Laura’s absolute favorite baby jammies! These super-soft pajamas come in the cutest designs and even have matching versions for the whole family. And they’re stretchy, so they last a lot longer than most baby clothes!

This is a great toy that will keep your baby’s interest for months, possibly years! It starts as a toy you can explore on the floor, then converts into a push toy that helps early walkers explore while having fun. It’s still keeping Laura’s toddler entertained at almost 2 years old!

One of Shanna’s top pick for babies is a music table. Her babies loved using it to pull to stand, and enjoyed all the musical features.

This fun push toy is a blast for infants and toddlers to ride and bounce on, inside or outside!

Nothing is cuter than a little baby in a tiny toy car. Use this to push your baby around town. We also love it because it grows with baby and can be used by toddlers and preschoolers alike!

These sleep bags are made of a buttery-soft bamboo rayon, and are super roomy so they last forever. They come in a variety of weights so your baby will be comfortable, no matter the weather.

Laura loved these cloud-soft sleep sacks for Sebastian. They’re 100% Organic Cotton with a poly-fil interior that is so cozy, maybe your baby will link their sleep cycles!

This is a really wonderful, sturdy wooden toy that grows with your baby! It’s a great option to help them learn to pull to stand, and toddlers continue to play with it as they learn letters and shapes!

This was a beloved item in both Shanna and Laura’s house. Their babies delighted in bouncing up and down while playing with the cute toys in front of them.

This is an item Laura wishes she had bought when her kids were younger! These sets are so great for crawling babies to preschoolers, and you can use them in all kinds of inventive ways, depending on how they’re configured. This one is foldable to save space!

These interchangeable climbing blocks create the perfect mountains, valleys, obstacle courses and more for infants and toddlers to explore. Shanna and Laura both own this and can attest to its quality, versatility and fun-factor!

This cushy, attractive playmat is durable and easy to clean. It makes an ideal landing pad for infants and toddlers learning to stand, walk and climb.

What child doesn’t love sidewalk chalk? These chunky sticks are fantastic for little hands.

Really cool board book with lots of pages that all have cutouts and interesting flaps to explore.

These large blocks are perfect for small hands!

This artistic activity uses a brush and water only! It’s a creative project with no mess. Huzzah!

If you have a truck-obsessed kiddo (like Laura does, times two!), they’ll love this Play Doh trash truck. It comes with “garbage-scented play-doh” which is a questionable choice, but easily remedied by replacing it with a normal tub.

A wonderful first-birthday present, this toy truck is made from recycled plastic that’s free from PVC, phthalates, and BPA, and is dishwasher safe! We love everything Green Toys makes!

This magnetic doodle pad has been a big hit in Shanna’s house for years. Draw and erase. Do it over and over again. Such fun!

Toddlers and preschoolers will love using their play-doh with this creative baking kit. The oven “bakes” the muffins, cakes and pies — all made from play-doh!

Okay, so this particular VTech Drill and Learn Toolbox makes noise, which isn’t ideal. But the point is the tools are FUN and both Auggie and Sebastian still play with this thing, after almost 2 years!

Super cute play barn opens up so little ones can see eveyrthing going on inside! Laura’s toddler loves the little toy animals and farmer, and will spend a lot of independent play time with this adorable playset.

This inexpensive toy drone will avoid obstacles and fly just over your head. Auggie and Sebastian are absolutely enamored with it, and will chase the thing around, laughing hysterically, until it runs out of power.

Sometimes your kid just wants to pretend to be a grown up and clean the house! This classic clean-up set is just the right size for toddlers.

Auggie and Sebastian love dressing up, but regular costumes can be stiff and uncomfortable. Enter: costume pajamas! These Iron Man ones are a big hit in Laura’s house.

After your baby has aged out of “Hello” magazine, move on to “High Five.” It’s so fun!

This adorable slide folds up for easy storage, and is a major hit in Laura’s small house! It’s small enough for toddlers to navigate on their own, and allows them to climb and slide independently whether or not you have access to a yard or playground!

This thing is a bubble MACHINE, if you catch my drift. Bubbles for daaaaaays.

This is a sneaky way to get a practical gift that your kids will think of as a toy! Shoes that light up! Wow! (Also great for keeping track of them in crowded holiday events in the dark!)

This large play set comes in three pieces that collapse down for easy storage. You can play with all the pieces or just one at a time. Laura’s toddler loves pretending he’s in a spaceship and crawling through the tunnel! You can also fill them up as a ballpit for extra fun!

A classic toy, Laura’s kids will spin on this all day, every day. It’s great for sensory-seeking kids who need to spin, and it’s endless fun.

These are giant cardboard building blocks that make big structures really fast. Young toddlers like them just as much as older preschoolers. Yes, it takes up a lot of space, but it’s worth it for the open-ended play it inspires!

A balance bike is a great introduction to bicycles for little ones. And it is so cute to see them on their tiny bikes!

A set of 3 great books for toddlers! Every page of the book has really neat cutouts that are interactive and fascinating for the little ones.

This little reading chair is so fun for little ones! Shanna will often catch her toddler sitting in the chair all by herself reading a book.

Grandma Sheri got a Paw Patrol version of this big wheel tricycle for Auggie last year, but Sebastian has mostly taken it over. He cruises around the whole house in this thing!

If you want to go big, this Black+Decker Kids Workbench with power tools is sure to excite your todder or preschooler!

Shanna’s play kitchen has been well-loved by her two daughters, and continues to engage them with lots of pretend play.

If you’re looking for a big-ticket item that will stand the test of time, this swing set is a winner. Shanna’s girls have had this for over five years, and it’s still going strong. Perfect for young toddlers up to about age seven.

You don’t have to spend a lot to get a bunch of clothes for your kids’ Barbies! This batch of clothes is affordable, fits Barbies and makes for fun dress-up time. Shanna’s girls have a bunch of these clothes for their dolls, and they are great.

Looking for a sensory activity that engages kids for long stretches of time? Get this kinetic sand! It’s not nearly as messy as regular sand and can easily be molded into sandcastles and more.

Shanna’s girls both have this affordable star projector in their rooms, and they have been going strong for a couple of years now.

The modern-day doodle pad, this is a tablet kids can scribble on that lights up wherever the pen draws. When they’re done with their art, they can clear the screen and start again.

Shanna’s girls love these chunky paint sticks for big art projects, like painting cardboard playouses.

Encourage the future vet in your life with this adorable set that Shanna’s kids adore.

Like bingo but with pictures! Shanna and her girls love playing this game together.

If your little ones like board games, this is a great one to add to their collection! It’s a favorite in Shanna’s house, and Cece has played it since she had just turned three, so it’s great for older toddlers and preschoolers.

This kit comes with a wrecking ball crane, a dump truck and a bunch of our favorite sensory toy: kinetic sand! Laura’s boys love this kit and will play with it for ages.

Kids can color and decorate these adorable figurines, scrub them clean in the bathtub that comes with the set and then start all over again!

Don’t mind the off-brand logos, this set of capes and masks make Avengers out of any preschooler. These are a quick way to encourage imaginative and collaborative play.

Want to surprise your kids with a BIG gift that doesn’t cost a fortune? This is it! These carboard houses inspire lots of imaginative play, especially the ones that the kids can paint and color themselves.

Auggie was gifted this last Christmas, just before he turned 4, and it’s been played with consistently ever since. Sebastian, now 2, even likes changing out the slides and learning with this microscope. It’s a fun STEM toy featuring the voice of Bindi Irwin — my only complaint is that it can be a little loud, so keep that in mind when ordering!

One thing that’s big with kids these days is miniatures. Shanna’s girls go wild for tiny versions of regular items, and this toy is high on Elle’s holiday wish list.

The Barbie craze is real this year, and Shanna’s kids are here for it. They fell in love with this item when they saw it in the Amazon catalog, and Shanna loves that they will finally have a place to store all their Barbie clothes.

Duplos are a great introduction to building — they’re like Legos (in fact, they’re made by the same company), but just bigger so little toddler hands can work with them more easily. These are constantly being used at Laura’s house.

If you have a large tree in your yard, this is one of the most fun swings there is. It fits more than one child, goes high and spins.

These magnetic building blocks are so fun for kids! Shanna’s children enjoy building houses, towers and roads out of them.

These wooden blocks are fantastic quality and tick so many boxes! Creativity. Building. Fine motor skills. Good times. We love them!

This easel encourages creativity with its white board, chalkboard and paper holder.

This is a the perfect starter scooter for 2-5 year olds.

Shanna got this incredible dollhouse from a neighbor in her Buy Nothing group, but it is such a cool item that she would definitely buy it as a gift. The quality is great, and it comes with lots of adorable wooden accessories.

This is a fun card game that the whole family can play. It says it’s for ages 9+, but Shanna’s girls have been playing it since they were three and six, with some assistance. Especially awesome is that the game was created by a college student in Flagstaff, AZ, where Shanna lived and went to school for several years.

This outdoor toy is a blast. Whenever Shanna brings it to the park with her girls, a crowd of kids all come together to blast off the rockets and chase after them.

Shanna’s girls love these chunky paint sticks for big art projects, like painting cardboard playouses.

These chapter books for younger readers are so funny and a joy to read with your kids. Shanna’s girls absolutely love this series.

Kids can color and decorate these adorable figurines, scrub them clean in the bathtub that comes with the set and then start all over again!

Want to surprise your kids with a BIG gift that doesn’t cost a fortune? This is it! These carboard houses inspire lots of imaginative play, especially the ones that the kids can paint and color themselves.

These play sets are so cute with all of their little people and set pieces, and there are so many sets to choose from. (They include lots of small pieces though, so they are not recommended for children under three.)

If you have a large tree in your yard, this is one of the most fun swings there is. It fits more than one child, goes high and spins.

If your kid has aged out of the Micro Mini scooter, it’s time for this bigger version!

A collection of hilarious and honest sketches from the author Lucy Knisley’s first year of parenthood. These will make you laugh out loud and feel seen!

Shanna and Laura both love the RIE method of parenting and have learned so much from this book. We always recommend it to new parents!

No one binges more TV than new parents!! Give them the gift of premium television!

by Angela Garbes. This book is an artful and compelling look at how caretaking can be a catalyst and basis for social change. By weaving together her own story with research, Garbes has written a refreshing ode to motherhood as important work.

by Abigail Tucker. This book is a fun and fact-filled read about how our bodies and minds change when we become mothers. If you’ve ever wondered if “mom brain” is real, this is the book for you!

The Echo Dot is perfect for new parents who are always busy with baby. Ask Alexa to play music, set timers, set alarms, adjust the air conditioner and more!

Cooooffffffeeeeeee. We consumed so much coffee as new parents. Make it quick and easy for new parents to get their caffeine fix with this espresso maker.

An innovative breastmilk-storage device, this specialized vaccum flask allows you to pump directly into it and store up to 34 ounces of breastmilk for up to 20 hours without refrigeration. And once you’re done breastfeeding, this can be converted into a normal thermos!

Use this portable photo printer to print photos from your smartphone, anytime, anywhere. Perfect for a new parent to instantly print pics of their adorable little one.

Laura recently got one of these super lightweight e-readers and she wishes she had gotten it sooner! Super convenient to have around, it allows you to read books and magazines with one hand and without stressing your wrist. And you can also read in low light while breastfeeding or while the baby is sleeping nearby. Perfect for new moms!

The Sonos speaker is an amazing quality speaker that works over wifi to play all your favorite songs. Pair it with Alexa, and you never have to use your hands to play music again!

by Lucy Knisley. This fantastic memoir is part graphic novel, part science and history lesson, and all heart. It follows the author’s TTC journey, including miscarriage and a traumatic childbirth, but never loses it’s ability to look at the world with a loving eye.

by Angela Garbes. A fantastic, refreshing read about the history and science of pregnancy, without the prescriptive judgments you’ll get from other pregnancy books. It’s like the emotional/narrative cousin to Expecting Better.

Maternity T-shirts can be a fun gift for someone who is expecting. We especially love this “My Baby Loves Tacos” shirt because… well, who doesn’t love tacos!? Scroll through the other maternity shirts at this link to find one that fits the vibe of the pregnant person in your life.

A subscription to Glo.com or any other online yoga studio that offers maternity yoga classes is a fun gift that can last an entire pregnancy! In addition to prenatal yoga, many studios also offer stretch, meditation, pilates classes and more that would be great during pregnancy. Glo also offers postnatal classes, so this could also be a wonderful gift for a new parent.

Trying to figure out how to dress your pregnant body can be tricky. Stitch Fix matches you with a stylist who will send you curated maternity options to try on, and you only buy what you like!

Give the gift of labor-and-delivery style with an adorable designer hospital gown. Regular hospital gowns are fine, but a bit drab, and a cute gown might be one of those small touches in the delivery and recovery room that makes the hospital stay more enjoyable. Shanna wishes she’d had one of these when she gave birth!

Pregnancy can cause aching feet. So gift the pregnant friend in your life some soft, comfy, memory-foam slippers to ease the pain! Shanna has these exact slippers and looooooves them.

Comfy from head to toe, and designed to be breastfeeding friendly, these maternity pajamas transition from pregnancy to new motherhood and are a great gift for you pregnant friend!

Say goodbye to old-school, stiff, plastic heating pads and hello to cushy, flexible ones that your pregnant friends will love cozying up with to relieve aches and pains. Making the transition to a high-quality heating pad was one of the best decisions Shanna has ever made (a close second to having children), and she was grateful to have it during pregnancy.

Laura loves this body oil during pregnancy. It smells really good, comes in a convenient spray bottle, and doesn’t leave a greasy feel. Great for trying to reduce stretch marks or just trying to feel pretty and normal during pregnancy!

Give the gift of comfort with a U-shaped pregnancy pillow. We love how comfy and cozy these pillows are and how they support pregnant bellies, backs, knees and hips.

A prenatal lactation consult is an amazing gift for an expecting parent who wishes to breastfeed. We recommend our friend Heather ONeal from The Milk Minute podcast, who does virtual visits that are easy to schedule online.

If you’re looking for a bigger-ticket item for a pregnant traveler, this is an amazing travel crib! Laura borrowed it once when Sebastian was a baby, and she wished she had gotten one for herself from day 1! It packs up so compactly and is also just super sleek.

by Emily and Amelia Nagoski, twin sisters who have developed a really revolutionary way to look at stress and how to deal with it in your daily life. TTC and pregnancy are so stressful by nature, and this book gives the most practical, actionable tips of any book I’ve ever read. This book is life changing!

Scented candles can set the mood for babymaking! They can also create a sense of peace and calm, which can be helpful for those stressful TTC days.

If you’re TTC and finding it difficult to keep up the momentum, or you’re a new parent and it seems impossible to get in the mood, this book is for you! It’s a really fascinating look at the science of sex, from the co-author of Burnout.

Fertility apps can be very useful in tracking menstrual cycles, ovulation and more. The premium versions of these apps offer a wider variety of features and more in-depth data. A small luxury that someone TTC might not purchase for themselves.

This is what Laura wants for Christmas this year! A warm, oversized, super-comfy robe that zips up the front for easy breastfeeding access!

Send printed photos of the grandkids to your loved one with this easy-to-use subscription.

This adorable fill-in-the-blank book lets little ones answer questions about Grandma. There’s sure to be some hilarious and heartwarming answers. There is one for Grandpas too!

This cute book provides prompts for Grandma and grandchild to draw together. There is one for Grandpas too!

Grandparents will love having morning coffee with their grandchildren with a customized photo mug of your baby!

Customize a jigsaw puzzle with a photo of the grandkids for the puzzle-loving grandparents in your life!

This device makes video chatting with grandparents a breeze!

Capture the stories, memories and photos of a loved one and have them printed in a book with in this unique gift. Get $10 off your order for being a BFP listener by going to storyworth.com/bfp!

This pair of WiFi-enabled lamps allow you to show someone you’re thinking of them from anywhere in the world. When you tap on your lamp, it changes the color of your friend’s lamp as well! Great for grandparents to connect with young kids.

Capture the stories, memories and photos of a loved one and have them printed in a book with in this unique gift. Get $10 off your order for being a BFP listener by going to storyworth.com/bfp!

Share photos of your kids with their grandparents right from your phone with this beautiful digital picture frame. Family members will love receiving updated photos of the little ones throughout the year. Get $15 off your purchase by going to skylightframe.com/positive and using code POSITIVE at checkout.

This fun and hilarious card game is a great small gift or stocking stuffer if your partner likes games!

This is a sleek-looking propagation station, that turns your baby plant cuttings into wall art. Laura has these hanging up in her living room, and they make her space so much cuter, while still keeping the plants away from her kids and cats.

These cool little devices can help you keep track of all your belongings, even if they’re miles away. This could be a great stocking stuffer for someone who is always losing their keys!

French press coffee is the best. It’s rich, full-bodied and delicous. If your partner is a coffee lover, they will love this!

Corey loves this brand, and wears these joggers all the time. They’re comfortable, but they also look good enough to wear out and about.

Pssst, Corey! This is what Laura wants for Christmas this year! Sometimes you just need a stick blender, you know?

A massage gun is a great way to soothe sore muscles and relax.

Shanna’s husband loves this virtual realtiy headset. It’s a fun way to immerse yourself in another world.

Nothing is better than wood-fired pizza! Shanna got this for Steve, and he loves making pizza at home!

A drone is a fun gadget for the adult in your life who loves grown-up remote-controlled toys!

This is a big gift, but one that Laura went in on with the rest of Corey’s family for his 40th birthday, and it’s been a big hit! (Pun intended) This rechargeable ball launcher allows tennis or pickleball enthusiasts to play anytime, anywhere.

These classic toys make great stocking stuffers! Laura’s kids have so much fun just throwing this around and seeing how it behaves — it’s one of those simple toys that never seem to get old.

These color tabs add pizzazz to bath time and are a perfect stocking stuffer.

These little plushie keychains are a hit with little ones who bring backpacks to school. They can attach it to the zipper of their backpack and personalize their gear!

Do your kids think flashlights are a toy? Ours do! Laura picked up an inexpensive 3-pack of LED flashlights for her kids’ stockings, and the third one will get stashed somewhere safe for the next power outage. Win/win!

Shanna’s kids love getting creative with washi tape. It is colorful, shiny and not too sticky, so kids can put it anywhere and it’s not hard to get off.

Pez candy dispensers are one of those classic stocking stuffers that kids can’t get enough of! These tubes are extra cute as gifts, and have lots of refills so your kids won’t run out of candy within 5 minutes.

Is this a romantic gift? Nah. Is it actually super fun and practical? Hells yeah! Laura wants a laminator so she can make stickers with her Cricut machine, as well as make stuff for school projects and fun around the house.

If you want an alternative to mascara, these false lashes that stay put for days are a fun alternative! There are lots of colors and styles to choose from, and Shanna loves the kit she got for her birthday.

This is the ultimate crafting machine. Laura uses hers for all kinds of parenting-related stuff, including making birthday decorations, cards, shirts, and even designing scavenger hunt clues.

Laura is coveting this fancy microcurrent machine for herself — she was influenced by her friend Becca Murray, who swears by it (and has the glowing skin to show for it!).