Baby's First Christmas Gift Guide

With our own baby just arrived, it seemed the perfect year to show some great options for Baby's First Christmas.  We have always used the opportunity to gift a few new toys and treats for the next stage alongside essentials and practical gifts (like the next size up clothing) and this gift guide reflects this idea.  Whether you are buying for a brand new baby or one that has left the newborn stage behind, here are some ideas for a very first Christmas.

Mizzie Teething Toys

It doesn't take long before babies stop waving their arms and legs around with no control and start wanting to use all their senses to experience the world around them, and it often coincides with teething.  Mizzie are a new brand to me but the kangaroo is sure to be a big hit with little hands.  Made from all natural rubber, Mizzie stimulates babies sense of touch, smell, sight and hearing (she can squeak!).  It also helps to sooth sore gums and comes in different styles so you can take Mizzie on the go with you.  Mizzie is available from John Lewis, Amazon and www.mizziethekangaroo.co.uk.

Chicco Rainbow Sky Arch

As new babies sight develops, they become a lot more interested in their surroundings and the Rainbow Sky Arch from Chicco can be fitted on to the Chicco next to me crib and other similar styles to light up and entertain sleepy babies (and hopefully settle them for sleep too).  It comes with a removable, portable night light and the plush toys can also be removed so baby can enjoy for longer.  I love how calm and sweet this looks and I think it makes a gorgeous gift for little babies this Christmas.

Joone BabyCare

Joone is a brand for new babies and parents that offers complete transparancy about what is in their products.  From nappies (which can be delivered so you never run out) to gorgeous tiny clothing, they have a great selection of products, and their baby care range makes a brilliant and practical gift for new babies.  Joone Babycare is organic and good for delicate skin - something very important to me as I have always had problems with mine.  I love how transparent the ingredients list is and the products come beautifully presented.

Nuby Stars and Clouds Play Mat

A playmat is an essential for the early days and I love how soft and snuggly this Nuby Clouds and Stars playmat is, especially with a winter baby due! The fluffy base is machine washable and the bars can be removed for transport and cleaning.  With different textures, sounds and a little mirror, this mat stimulates all baby's senses and when they outgrow it, I know the fluffy mat will still be used for snuggling on!  This is perfectly unisex and I can't wait to try it out with our own baby soon! A great Christmas gift for a newborn.

Gund Kissy the Penguin

Kissy the penguin is just the softest toy for babies aged 10 months + and I couldn't stop stroking it when it arrived!  The buttons on her feet play 'Frere Jacques' as she lifts her flippers to her beak to blow kisses.  Kissy is surface washable and comes with three AA batteries ready to start playing on Christmas morning! Gund have a selection of adorable soft toys suitable from newborn onwards so perfect for baby's first Christmas.

Snoozeshade

Snoozeshade is an award winning pram and pushchair shade for single buggies, strollers and prams that offers protection from the sun and encourages sleep.  It attaches in seconds and protects babies from 99% of UVA and UVB rays as well as encouraging a dark sleeping environment.  This is a practical present that parents are going to love as much as the baby!  It comes with three different colour trims, pastel pink, safety green and a soft grey and folds up in an easy travel bag.  It is breathable mesh and so safe to use, unlike muslins which should never be used to cover prams.

Taf Toys Tummy Time Book

Tummy time is so important for little people and this tummy time book from Taf Toys is designed for babies from birth upwards.  With different pages designed for different stages, the black and white is perfect for early days when their vision is still developing and the mirror and more interactive pages will encourage strong core and neck muscles as they get bigger.  The book is a fantastic gift for a first Christmas.

Frugi Hat and Booties

With Winter coming, most parents are starting to think about how to keep their babies wrapped up and warm and Frugi's matching hat and booties set are perfect.  You can even get a matching blanket if you want to brighten up a colder day.  Everything is made from Organic cotton and this set is wonderfully unisex and perfect for baby's first Christmas.  If you want to treat the baby to new clothing, then check out Frugi's wonderful 'My first Frugi' collection.

Nuby Portable UV Steriliser

As much a gift for parents as it is baby, Nuby's portable UV steriliser has a handy strap to attach to a pram or bag and can sterilise a dummy without water, chemicals or a microwave in only one minute! I remember how often Finn used to drop his dummy when we were out and about and this would have been a game changer!  This award winning innovative product runs on three batteries or can be plugged in and used through a USB port.  It comes with one dummy ready to go and is such a handy little device, ideal as a festive gift!

Critically Endangered Animal Socks

Is there anything cuter than tiny baby socks? This box of four not only fits perfectly through a letterbox, but every sale of these sustainably made socks helps save critically endangered animals.  This pack of four should fit babies roughly 6-12 months but they can also be used as sock puppets! Supporting the World Wildlife Fund UK, these organic socks are also supporting the protection of the rainforest so you can purchase them and feel great! If you are looking for a gift for a new parent, then check out Critically Endangered animal socks for adult too! 

I think there are some great suggestions here for different stages of baby's first year, I hope you find some inspiration! 

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Gift Guide for Outdoorsy Families

Products were sent to me for the purpose of inclusion

We are a family that loves being outdoors, discovering everything nature has to offer and with Lockdown 2.0 upon us, I think most people are learning more about their local area and what there is to do outside to keep their mind and bodies healthy.  I have put together a gift guide for the outdoorsy family, with ideas for parents, children and whole families.

For the Grown Ups

I used to run on empty pavements in the evenings but this year I have seen more people than ever grabbing their trainers and starting the couch to 5k challenge.  It makes me so happy to see so many people running and as the weather gets warmer and the light starts fading, the Proviz reflect360 hoodie will be perfect for keeping them warm and visible as they maintain this fantastic hobby. It is both breathable and warm and is exactly what I have been looking for to help me through the colder months. The silver areas are all light reflective and are on both arms and the hood

Keeping up with children requires comfy shoes and the slip on trainers from Rieker are easy to wear and have super comfortable memory foam insides as well as shock absorbing flexible soles.  They will be ideal for all sorts of outdoors adventures.  These anti-stress shoes are designed to keep you walking with a spring in your step all day!

This summer I spent a lot more time swimming in the sea and one thing I have been meaning to buy is some good goggles.  Aqua Sphere Kaiman goggles offer 180 degree vision, a scratch resistant coating and extra comfortable materials.  These will be ideal for anyone braving sea swimming over the winter months but also for those who are sticking to indoor pools whilst the temperature lowers!  Aqua Sphere have ranges for men, women and children.

The Zippo Heatbank 9s is a brilliant device that not only works as a handwarmer with six different heat settings, but also charges devices via USB.  Ideal for camping trips, long walks and everything in between, this multipurpose tool is a great gift for a grown up who loves to be outdoors.  The ergonomic shape fits a hand comfortably and has a run time of up to 9 hours. 

For the Kids

For any child who has big dreams to explore the world, the Travel Edition of Atlas of Adventures would make a beautiful gift. Each section begins with an illustrated map of the area followed by its most fascinating locations.  If they want to learn more about riding a gondola in Venice, sleeping under the Northern Lights or showering with elephants in Chiang Mai, this book will inspire them.  The Atlas of Adventures is a book I could easily get lost in and is such a beautiful gift.

Childhood is the perfect time to learn a new skill and two of mine are desperate to give skateboarding a go.  I think this Rampage Skate board would be perfect for a beginner and a great way to make the most out of being outdoors.  Skates.co.uk also sell helmets and other protection - something I think we will need! 

With our plans including getting outdoors no matter what the weather this winter, I need to make sure the children are dressed for adventure and won't get cold.  This starts with the first layer and a good pair of thermals will be vital this winter.  We love Reima for outerwear, but their merino wool thermal sets are not only super fun and colourful (there are four different colourways in this print) but snuggly warm, making sure we don't have to cut our fun short.  Base layers are something I would always advise investing in and these would be a great Christmas gift for mini adventurers.

The more my children travel, the more interested they have got in the world.  With every subject they study at school inspiring questions, I think Our Wonderful World is a perfect present this Christmas to encourage curious minds.  Full of beautifully illustrated maps that not only share the geography of each country but other interesting information, this is something that any little adventurer will love, as well as it being a book you want to have on display thanks to the fantastic artwork. 

Outdoor adventures require snuggly attire and Frugi's Blizzard Bobble Hat is fun and bright as well as cosy and warm.  It comes in two colours and you can buy matching knitwear for both.  We love Frugi for their soft organic cotton and strong ethics and my children love a new bobble hat so I think this would make a great Christmas gift!  Check out all their Christmas gift ideas!

If you are looking for an Eco-Friendly gift idea then The Bike Club is a great way to keep up with growing children's bike needs.  You pay a monthly subscription from £5 per month to borrow a bike and can exchange it every time they grow (which is very regularly in my house!).  There are options if you would rather only borrow new bikes or whether you are happy with used, but each one is carefully looked after by the team so you are only getting the best. This is a great way to get kids cycling without the big expense at the beginning!

We are a family that love to camp and one thing that I think will make life easier as well as way more fun, is a kids head torch like this one from Whitby and Co.  Designed to be as robust as the adult version but with extra safety features, this makes the dark so much more fun, not just on camping trips but for nightime treasure hunts and mini adventures too.  With 9 hours burn time this head torch is easy to use and full of fun possibilities!

I can't leave out the smaller adventure lovers and this Kinderkraft balance bike from Kiddies Kingdom is ideal for children aged 2 years and up.  A great reason to get outdoors, balance bikes make a brilliant first bike and encourage balance and movement in preperation for pedals later on.  The seat is height adjustable, the bike is sturdy and easy to carry and the frame is made from environmentally friendly beech wood.  

For the Whole Family

Outdoor adventures can be tiring and we often want to stop for a picnic or a drink, so this camping chair from Helinox is ideal for camping trips, woodland walks, festivals and more.  It packs up so small and light and can be popped in a backpack, it is easy to assemble and is so comfortable! If you purchase one at the moment it comes with a free seat warmer which adds extra padding and stops any drafts.  The chair one weighs 960g and is 35cm long in the bag but easily accomodates an adult, this is a great gift for the whole family to enjoy.  

Playing cards are an essential family camping game and this pack of Foragers playing cards from Kikkerland Design is educational and multi purpose with each card sharing a fun foraging fact.  Whether you are a novice or an expert at foraging, these cards are full of interesting information and will make any woodland walk more interesting. 

Gifts don't have to be something we can open and one of the best ideas for the family that has it all, or wants to give back is a tree from Treedom.  You can buy a tree in one of 17 countries around the world in partnership with NGOs and small farmholders.  Your tree is photographed and geotagged and you can watch it grow as well as learning about the farmers you are helping.  My cacao tree is in Cameroon and I can track the co2 absorbtion and its growth.  This is the ideal gift for a family that wants to work towards balancing their emissions and help efforts to reforest. You can find my tree here

We all know how much better it is for the environment to use a reusable water bottle and for anyone who doesn't already own one (or for those of us that like a collection), then this Friends of the Earth bottle from Ion8 is a beautiful and eco friendly gift.  It is never too late to change a habit and this bottle works towards eliminating the fact that over 1 million plastic bottles are bought worldwide every minute.  Fill it with your favourite drink and let it accompany you on all your adventures.

With the temperatures dropping rapidly and many of us hoping to keep up outdoor adventures all winter, a hand warmer is a great gift for a family.  This one from Whitby and co is compact and easy to use with a flameless burn that lasts up to 12 hours.  It can be used 90 times before it needs refilling and comes with a protective fleece bag.  Whether you need to keep your hands warm during a sport or on a long walk, this pocket sized warmer is a great companion. 

There are so many wonderful gifts for an outdoorsy family and there has never been a better time to get outdoors and explore!

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Gift Guide for Harry Potter Fans

Products featured were sent for inclusion in the gift guide but all thoughts and opinions are my own

I have passed my love of Harry Potter on to the children and I know there are lots of people both big and small who will have wizarding goodies on their Christmas wishlists this year! I have put together a guide of some of the best gifts to buy a Harry Potter fan this year.

This interactive Wizarding Quiz game by Tomy is designed for 2-4 players and will be fantastic fun on Christmas day and beyond.  Defend your house by using your knowledge of the franchise with over 1,000 questions.  I think my 9 year old Harry Potter fan is going to love this and bonus points when all the family can play. 

For the Harry Potter fan who has it all, I love the idea of a gift experience and this is something to look forward to in the new year.  Red Letter days have a selection of Harry Potter experiences including a trip to the Warner Brothers Studios followed by a three course meal with wine!  Whether it is your first visit or your third, there is always something different to see and the vouchers are valid for months meaning you can wait until the perfect time to visit.  

Aden and anais have a beautiful Harry Potter range featuring the golden snitch and you can choose muslins and sleeping bags as well as this rather special Harry Potter 'dream blanket' which measures 120cm by 120cm, ideal for my smaller ones to curl up with whilst watching the movies.  This 100% cotton blanket only gets softer after each wash! 

If you are looking for a Potter related stocking filler then check out The Harry Potter Pin Seeking club. Whether you are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin or like me, a Hufflepuff, there are beautiful collections or individual pins and the attention to detail is wonderful.  Now is the perfect time to start a collection, or just buy your favourite house to wear proudly.  If you want to give something even more special then you can buy Harry Potter Fan Club Gold Membership which includes a personalised and interactive Keys and Curious journal, savings and priority access to merchandise and experiences, exclusive video content, and access to all 7 Harry Potter e-books.

Another wonderful collectable and keepsake for any Harry Potter fan is a Steiff pendant keyring.  This heritage brand have created four Potter themed keyrings and they are both incredibly soft and special.  All come with the button in the ear that Steiff are renowned for, this 14cm Harry Potter can be attached to handbags, backpacks or as an everyday keyring. Find more at http://www.steiffteddybears.co.uk/

Top Trumps are very popular in our house, perfect to take on holiday, for car journeys and to play at home, they are a firm favourite.  This Ultimate Harry Potter Top Trumps Bundle makes a brilliant Christmas gift for all the family or can be split up to fit in individual stockings.  Featuring The Half Blood Prince, The Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2 and 30 favourite wizards and witches I know this will bring plenty of smiles on Christmas morning.  If you haven't discovered the wonders of Top Trumps with children yet, this is the year to do it!

There are some wonderful Harry Potter themed gifts around this year for fans of the books and films and I hope this helps you discover something new to add to your Christmas shopping list for the Potter fan in your life.

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