3mo.old Xmas Presents?

My three month old loves those tummy time mats that has the toys that hang over her head. Also mirrors, she will look and chatter at the baby in the mirror for a long time.

Savings bonds, savings bonds, savings bonds.... did I mention savings bonds??? LOL... great investment! My sister has been getting them for my kids since they were born and they will be able to use them when they are older instead of a toy that they will throw away or break.

My kids' grandparents got them savings bonds when they were babies. Boring maybe but there is no toy a 3 month old will appreciate anyway.

My favorite presents are books. If people ask you what to get for her, you could mention that you'd love to build up a "home library." You might get board (sturdy) books, lift the flap books, or hardcover picture books. These will all be great as she grows. It might be neat if the "giver" chose one of their favorite childhood books to give to her. Or...they could just give one of the "classic" books for young children.

B.,

I agree that something to lay under would be perfect for that age. My boys had a little mobile/mat thing that had lights and made noises and little toys that dangled, it was perfect from about 2 or 3 months until they started really rolling around at 5 or 6 months. There are a ton of different ones out there.

Jessica

She may not need toys right now, but within 2 months she'll need tons of toys! Don't forget that you won't be getting gifts from anyone until next September, and toys are very expensive if you have to buy them all yourself when she is six months and then nine months.

You really don't have to give people specific toy names, just tell them to get a wide range of toys for 3-6 months, 6 months, and 9 months. There are many toy labels that say "Birth+". V-tech, Leap Frog, and Fischer Price have GREAT educational, learning toys.

I do have to say, the one toy I am VERY glad we bought when our daughter was 7 months old was the Fischer Price Learning Table. There are all different kinds now, but it's a little, infant sized table with tons of lights, sounds, and objects with various textures. That table was so facinacting to my curious little baby, and that is how she learned to pull up to standing - she just had to see what was on. Then when she was 9 months old, it was that table she used for support when she finally decided to let go and stand with her arms up in the air. We even have the pictures to prove it! Hope this helps!

Ask for gift cards, diapers, maybe a play arch/mat that she can lay on /undr and kick at/look at for tummy and floor time. Teethers, cloth books, soft small dolls or stuffed animals or soft rattles! I bet she will be bale to hold a rattle by Christmas!

Most anything can be saved for later, returned or exchanged if it doesn't work right for you!

Jessie

All the toys and stuff in the infant departments at Wal-mart and similar stores are labeled by age! I always just encouraged the folks who asked to shop by looking at the age recommendations on the toys.

Also, you may find, as I did, much to my surprise, that you child does not like the same stuff you did when you were a kid! (Or even the same stuff that the kid next door or his cousin of the same age likes).

P.S. the simplest toys make the best ones for some kids. The flashing lights and noises are too overwhelming for some kids. Others absolutely love the chaos of all those interactive toys, while others prefer to make stuff up with basic toys that "do nothing". Advise people by whatever your kid's personality is. We could tell pretty soon that our kid would be like me- no noises and lights, while his cousin turned out like his folks- the more interaction from the toy, the better. Make a guess as to which your child might like, you will probably be right.

:) have a merry christmas with your little one!

Anything and Everything. Bigger sized clothes for next year. A learning table, rattles, teethers, crib toys to keep her entertained in there, there is no limit. I really want a jumperoo for my next one on the way. Just look at toys/babies r us website.

My parents started the tradition of giving everyone a new ornament every Christmas, and we have continued that for our family. We put their initials and the year on each one.
Books are great. I saw someone else suggested that.
Even at 3 months, my boys loved those toys that the lie under and swat at hanging toys. Does that make sense? You can get a simple one or an elaborate one with an activity mat and lots of things to look at.
Music is a good idea. My boys love listening to all kinds of music, and really responded to it as newborns.
Have fun!

It's funny because my baby girl was born 9/30/07! So, I was in exactly the same spot last year. I asked for a nursery rhyme book (I couldn't remember them), a wagon for walks, winter clothes (because the grow SO fast), a kick and lay on gym thingy (she really liked that) and other books and stuff. The toys she really won't be able to play with, but you'll be surprised how fast they grow and she'll need toys for the spring and summer (which is before her birthday). So, even if you have to store the presents for a few months it's still worth thinking about what she'll need in the late winter - summer.
Hope this helped!
J.

Hi B.!
I've become a huge fan of Discovery Toys, who offers products from ages birth on up. I started getting them for my son a yar ago when he was 2, and since became a consultant simply because I love the toys so much!! I also feel really good letting my son play with them and giving them as gifts since the company has never had a recall in 30 years, and all toys are tested to be lead and pthalayte-free. They are wonderful toys, and 70% are under $20!

If you're interested to see more, you can check them out online at www.discoverytoyslink.com/JenEsnough or call me at ###-###-####. I'm also holding a Holiday Open House from 2-5 at my home on November 29th (Saturday after Thanksgiving) to show off these great toys! It's open to all.

Happy Holidays and good luck!! :o)
Jen

2 of my 3 children were born just before christmas, one at the end of Nov. the other the beginning of Dec. We found that telling people to buy stuff for when they were older was good, but best was to request gift cirtificates, so that as a need arose you could purchase an item and then let them know, Aunt Betty we used your money to buy a walker, a pair of shoes or whatever. worked out well. goood luck

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago with my son who was born 9/20/06. I figured that we should give ideas for anything he'd use before his birthday. So I'd suggest anything (toys, clothes-can be hard to guess sizes/seasons though, etc.) that a 3-9 month old would use. He got a lot of savings bonds from grandparents (GREAT!), some neat toys, pajamas, etc. We bought him a Bumbo chair and an Exersaucer which we didn't yet have. He loved the Bumbo and used it right away at 3 months old! He loved seeing the world go by!

There ARE toys that 3 - 6 month olds enjoy and you have gotten some great suggestions. My daughter liked "reading" cloth books, and laying on a play mat with dangling things above to reach for.

I would be careful of asking for clothes in bigger sizes, in my daughter's case, she was always in sizes that were double her age (12 mo size at 6 mo old) and people's gifts went unworn because they were completely for the wrong season!

And what about asking people to hold their gift buying or to make a donation of a toy or clothing to an organization that gives them away. Many people I know will not be able to buy anything for their kids this year because of lost jobs.

I think that asking for toys that she can play with or clothes that she can wear in the future is also a great idea. My in-law's get my boys savings bonds. I think that is also a great idea.

I love the name Savannah - that's where I'm from, so I'm biased. :)

Hello! My little guy was 3 months old last Christmas and he quickly learned to like his toolbox that counted and sang songs. Something that plays music (with volume control!) would be fun. He also liked (and still likes) his Twilight Turtle. It's a soft turtle head with a plastic shell that displays stars on the walls. You have a choice of 3 color lights. There is also a sea turtle and a lady bug and a sheep. Merry Christmas!

B.,
Our daughter was 3 months old last Christmas. We gave her a ton of board books, which we have used every day since then. I have no regrets about that. Toys are overrated as kids quickly tire of them, but my daughter would sit for a book anytime. The other thing you could do is start a bank account for her. That way people can give her a check and start her savings early. My husband and I also save all of our pocket change for our daughter all year long and deposit it on her birthday (it really adds up).

My oldest was 2 months old at Christmas time. We just had a few things for him. This was 7 years ago...but he recieved one of those fisher price kick and play things. I'm sure they have a 'new and improved' version now. We also recieved some toys for when he was about six months and could sit up...one was like a spin and say but it was a ball with flattened sides and when it rolled it went to a different animal and would say "chicken..cluck cluck" or whatever. He liked that when he got older. I just wouldn't go overboard since she's so little.

fave toys of mine are the simple ones...
especially nesting cups, blocks (soft ones), mirror, board books, stacking rings,
lights and music can be overwhelming for little ones....
she will outgrow her clothes quick so how about some larger ones, she will be in them soon enough!

At about that age our daughter got a mirror for babies (I think the Sassy brand). She loved to lay at look at herself and still uses it! We also got a tummy time mat (Boppy brand) that she loved. She could watch the toys that hang down, and it had a baby sized Boppy pillow that we could use to prop her up. She also LOVED music at that age! I had gotten a CD called Baby Loves Jazz and she would lay and kick and wave the whole time it was playing. It won't be long before your daughter will like to hold on to things so rattles and other easy to hold toys would be great to get to.

I highly recommend the good old classic toys! The ring stacker, stacking cups, "busy box" (usually 4 or 5 "doors" that open with pushing a button, sliding a knob, turning a knob, etc), Shape sorter toy, etc. THese are CLASSICS that she can grow into and will play with for several months, doing different things as she grows and develops. Also board books or soft books are great too--you can never have too many books. Kids really do not NEED the "computerized" toys--remember, we all grew up just fine with the good old classics! And they are fun and encourage learning without all the extra "bells and whistles" Lots of Fisher Price, Playschool, and Little Tykes type toys would meet this criteria. Have people look for stuff that is marked for 6 months and up.

Think of the time between Christmas and her next birthday... she will be 3 months at Christmas BUT her birthday is not till Sept. So tell people to get something for her in the 6 month range (toys, clothes). My daughter was born in August and I have been always looking ahead to the time between her brithday and Christmas, since there is tons of growing time when an infant I asked for clothes that comes at the next size or toys for her next stage. Type in 6 month year old toys into a stores wed site and I am sure tons will come up.

Exersaucer, Johny Jump-Up, kick toy, all sorts of rattles, teethers, mirrors, simple baby dolls. Any toys that are for birth to 9 months. A Rainbow stick...I know Discovery Toys has them. They have little beads in that make noise.

My kids (twins) loved this discovery toy. I can't remember the name of it, but there are many versions of it out there. To begin with, you put the baby on her back and there is a blanket under her and a rainbow of toys above her. For tummy time you can detach the rainbow thing and the blanket has lots of colors and patterns to amuse her. Getting tub toys now isn't a bad idea...she will be growing into those before you know it!
I also asked for soaps and lotions, diapers and wipes - as my twins were only 6 weeks old for their first Christmas.
Finally, my MIL always gives a savings bond...it is never to early to start...
Enjoy the holidays!
J.

As a PT who works with infants in their homes I would make the following suggestions...
1) Rattles: Look for light weight and easy to hold at first. A lot of rattles on the market are way too heavy for little ones when they are first learning to use their hands.
2) Teethers: Babies explore with their mouths. There is a star shaped one that vibrates when you bite on it though this one is too heavy for most infants.
3) Squeekie toys made for chewing on that are easy to hold. They kind of look like dog toys but aren't. You're exposing your infant to early cause and effect (Gee when I squeeze and chew it makes a sound).
4) Avoid too many battery operated toys. They invite observation but not that much participation when one push or kick gives you several minutes of entertainment. They generally limit the play skills a child learns too. Usually a push activates the toy. And they all get very annoying, very fast.
5) Don't encourage people to buy too much ahead. If you receive now what your baby can play with later, you will have the same dilemma next year. Savings bonds is a great idea!
6) Limit how many toys your baby has access to at a time so they can learn to focus their attention and sustain it on one thing for at least a few minutes. When there is too much to play with, some kids just "float" and never really spend time playing with any one thing. Of course, this is true once they can roll and move around..only a couple of months away!
7) No matter what you give your daughter, the best toy she will ever have is you playing on the floor with her. Buy simple toys and you be the battery that makes the noise and the movement. Your interactions are priceless.
Probably too much advice so I'll get off my soapbox now.

Books! There are tons of great board books out there, so you can start reading to her now and help her naturally fall in love with books.

We read to our sons daily starting in infancy. The older one loved books -- he would stare at the Maisy book we propped up in his crib when he was only three months old. At five months he would start to cry when you finished a book, and would stop as soon as you picked it up and started reading it again.

The younger one would sit quietly in his high chair as a one year old and "read" a pile of books while my husband ran upstairs to put on his suit for work.

Both boys learned to read at the age of four and both boys still read for pleasure at the ages of eleven and eight. They read at least an hour a day.

So getting started on your book collection sounds like a good idea to me!

I am SOOO glad that you asked this. My daughter was born 9.14.08 so I am in the same boat as you are.

I have told people giftcards, that way you can get toys, diapers, formula, bottles, teethers, whatever you need. I would sugguest toys r us and babies r us, walmart and target.

Books, I want her to have a bunch of books so as the years go on each year I want my family .. mom and dad and step mom to get a book at this age it can be a board book, or a book you can get wet or something. Next year, bigger puzzles and things that they can learn from.

The little mats that they sit under, well at this age lay under are great,

THis is the one that we have, it is worth the money to get a good one I think, my aunt and uncle got this and we have used it since she was just a few weeks old, she loves the lights and then there are toys that you can move all around.
http://www.target.com/Fisher-Price-Rainforest-Melodies-Li...

savings bond is a wonderful idea too.
My step mom has gotten me a chrsitmas ornament each year, maybe you can request a personalization of some kind, my fav website for this stuff is
personalcreations.com and if you sign up with them they always have like 20% off or something so I just wait to order things all at once. What about a nice photo album, you can do themed ones.. like first vacation, first trip to grandmas house, first time at the zoo... all different ones

here is an example

http://pressroom.hallmark.com/Product/Hallmark-Instant-Sc...

Well I hope that this helps, let me know what people ended up getting for your little one!

Blessings and Merry Christmas, a bit early!

When all of my children were young, my brother got them savings bonds for birthdays and christmas. It's something that will grow in value and they will really appreciate when they're 18 or so. Also, my mom got gifts like personalized hand-knitted Christmas stockings, personalized ornaments, and a wonderful old fashioned big book of Winnie the Pooh. Hopefully this will give you a few ideas. Have a great Christmas!
B. M.

Sohpie the Giraff is supper cool. All babies love her, and she is only found at speciality stores/online. So IMO a perfect gift. Also both my kids loved the Oballs. Those are easy to find at target and Babies R Us. I would say the 4 inch Oball. Or some blocks. there are a ton of cute baby toys out there. You could also just describe some toys she might like and let them make the final call.

I would always recommend diapers, because you can never have enough of those. Soft toys are always good choices at that age, they can go in the mouth and when they shake them they can't hurt themselves.

Books--for the future!

She can get clothes for when she is bigger. Any toys with mirrors-she will be interested before you know it. Any toys for when she is older. Diapers and wipes. My baby is 6 months and she starting trying to hold stuff at about 4 months-so a rattle and maybe a teether (she will need it soone enough).

I know it doesn't seem like too much fun, but maybe ask for money for college fund, or bond's or put money in her name for a charity????
They REALLY don't enjoy stuff until they are about 3 or 4 anyway. I always said, we could just as well have wrapped a box and let the babies play with the wrapping. My kids didn't care if there was anything in them until they were older.
Like you said, they have enough clothes, enough toys....Hindsight tells me I should have done this all through the years (my kids are 13 and 20), I think they would have appreciated having that extra money now for school and church trips they want to go on.
Enjoy Christmas for what it is about, not what you can give them and what they can get. The meaning seems to be getting lost in the commercials!!
Merry Christmas.
B.

Have them get her things that she will use later. Maybe a push/riding toy, savings bonds, books etc, floor playmats. I would also suggest a car seat if you are using the SnuggleRide type from Evenflo or Graco. My granddaughter just outgrew hers and it hurt in the pocket to have to buy her a convertible one.
Enjoy her first Christmas!!

Renee

a little jungle gym that she can lay under and kick at or a Bumbo chair ( I really liked ours for our daughter) Lamaze usually has some nice toys for infants, colorful soft toys that usually make noises of different kinds (like crumple paper or a rattle inside). Maybe a nice little plate and cup set that is just hers.. hmm.. thats all I can think of right now.

For my son's first Christmas he was 5 months old. He had lots of toys so I asked the grandparents, aunts, & uncles for:

Clothing (bigger sizes) -
Diapers
Wipes

He also got a couple of toys.

You only get a few Christmas' where the kids won't remember that they mainly got clothing and diapers for Christmas.

-J.

Collectibles are always nice as they can keep getting them, savings bonds, books are also really great because kids love them for quite some time. I have a friend that started my daughter on a grow with you pearl necklace, she keeps buying one to add to it each year and it will be something that can be treasured always.

She isn't too young for toys. My granddaughter loved anything that moved and sang at that age. My kids loved rattles and such. Three months old is old enough to put her in one of those play center where there is a seat in the middle and toys all around. Exersaucer or something like that is what they are called. I use to put a blanket around my granddaughter in hers and she would love to bat at the toys on it. She also had a jumperoo somewhere around that age. Look under fisher price for toy ideas for that age group. Activity gyms are also good at that age. My granddaughter loves one that my mother bought for her for her first Christmas and now she is two and still loves to play with it. I don't remember what it is called but it goes in three stages, one for when she is laying on her back she can reach up and grab the dangling toys or you can turn it on so the music will play for so many minutes, second flat on the floor for when she is laying on her tummy, she can push the large buttons. The stage it is at now, it sets up almost at a slant so she pulls it up to her chairs and sits there to play the different songs. It teaches colors and letters and sings a song she loves "The Lion is the king of the jungle and it says ROAR!" She sings that all the time. She was born 9/27/06 so her first christmas she was the same age as your daughter.
Hope this helps.

your new baby is not gonna give one hoot about Christmas, or what she gets for that matter. only you care about that. let her play with wrapping paper (be careful she doesnt eat it lol) let her play with ribbons, get her a nice card and maybe one nice new toy or something. let it be your excuse to get her ONE item that you've wanted, but havent had the money or reason to buy.
but honestly, shes not going to care. i really had a hard time with my first Christmas with my son - he was only one month old and my in laws were INSISTENT that he be awake and present when we opened his presents. like, huh? he doesnt care!?!? hes not even staying awake more than an hour at a time - im NOT waking him up to open presents. i ended up trying to wake him up, and since he was a good sleeper, we have pictures of him sleeping slumped over on my lap while we opened presents and "showed" them to him.
rediculous. and im still frustrated that i let that happen.
anyhow, like i said, shes not going to care about Christmas, give her a card or something so that you have the keepsake, and one nice toy or something, and dont worry so much about it. shes going to have WAY more fun playing with the wrapping than worrying abuot what she got. just relax about it, and remember that next year will most likely be different, she will care about the present, but she still wont be expecting anything. kids dont normally even care about Christmas nor do they understand what its about until they are older. then you can worry more about what and how many things to get. but i wouldnt push it, and i wouldnt worry about it. kids need presence not presents. just having a good time as a family is more than enough - for any kid.

Wow! So many ideas have been offered! I haven't the time to read them all but here's my input:

~Lullaby or children's music CD's (my boys 3 & 5 still go to bed listening to the lullaby cd from when they were babies).
~Taggie blanket or stuffed animal - babies love the touch of the tags.
~Board books - Usborne makes wonderful "touch & feel" books
~Activity toys aimed for 6-12 months
~"First" spoons (baby and toddler size) My boys got engraved ones from their grandparents and now that they have outgrown them, I've put them into their hope boxes for future generations.
~Passes to a Children's Museum if you have one near you. The MN museum has a special room for babies and small toddlers.
~Certificate for professional photos - capture individual and family pictures.
~Start a Family Christmas journal - a scrapbook with just a couple pictures from each Christmas.

Hope these ideas help! Have a blessed 1st Christmas together! J.

Request toys that you can use when she is a little older. It's a long time before her birthday.

My recommendation:
teething rings/toys
rattles - my daught has 3 "peek-a-boo" rattles by infantio and loves them all
ring stacker
pop and lock beads
stacking cups
clothes in larger sizes
books
baby safe mirrors
balls
squeeky toys - like dog toys but for baby

i'd ask for gifts for when she is older. Then it'll save you some money down the road when she'll be ready for them.