5 Baby Gifts That Last
The tradition of excess has been part of our family for years. Every Christmas, we showered our only child with gifts, and it felt as if every toy or baby item that existed was found under our tree. Fast-forward eight years, and we are left with an overwhelming amount of stuff. So much that Marie Kondo's face would light up at our mess. We've since decluttered (somewhat), and with the arrival of our second baby, we are trying to be more mindful with our gift-giving. In light of this, we've put together five gift ideas that will get more use than the latest toy craze for Christmas 2021!
Woolino Sleep Bag
Blankets are not safe for babies, so sleep sacks are essential. But buying a new one every few months and for different seasons is expensive and wasteful! This is the only sleep sack your baby will need. From 2-months old to when our baby outgrew it at 18-months old, this is the only sleep sack we owned.
Why we love it:
It's made out of super soft hypoallergenic merino wool and regulates the baby's temperature. This means that baby is comfortable in this sleeping sack during hot summer days and chilly winter nights.
We call it the tranquillizer. As soon as we slip it on, the baby chills out. Perhaps because she has been wearing it every night since she was 2-months old, she automatically recognizes it's bedtime.
It has a 2-way zipper making nighttime diapers changes easy. There's also a seatbelt opening to be worn in the car seat for nighttime travel.
It comes in toddler size, and we've recently upgraded to the 2 - 4 years size.
Wobble Board
The fisher-price plastic rocking horse is a classic. Besides being a lot of fun, rocking helps your little one improve balance and coordination. Unfortunately, this rocking horse and many others like it are quickly outgrown. Check out your local Facebook Marketplace group to find other Moms trying to get rid of theirs. A more long-lasting gift is a balance board. Our one-year-old received a balance for Christmas, and it was a big hit. At two, she plays with it frequently.
Why we love it:
It's open-ended: it's a rocking horse, slide, table, chair, climbing ramp and more! Our specific board is also a chalkboard.
It's fun for older kids. My 10-year old will hop on it to practice his balance for skateboarding.
It has a minimalistic appeal and helps keep our living space uncluttered.
Play Couch
The Nugget comfort couch has been the breakout toy of the pandemic. So much so that a lottery was needed - not to win a couch - but for a chance to buy one! Many Canadian copycats have since popped up. Pillow packs provide even more creative opportunities and make great gifts for kids that already own a play couch!
Why we love it:
Once again, it's open-ended: It's a fort, a slide, a dog house, and a fantastic photo-op.
It's a great alternative to the playground. We go outside every chance we get, but we're quick to retreat to our "indoor playground" when it gets too busy for comfort.
Circular Clothes
I spend a tremendous amount of time and space managing clothes for my kids. That's why I was so excited when I learned about Tradle and their circular baby clothing service. For a monthly membership fee, I get access to their library of organic baby clothes from Canadian brands!
Why we love it:
The clothes are from Vancouver, and they are beautiful. I wasn't familiar with Haven Kids and Little & Lively before Tradle, but now they are favourites.
It's a family-run business. You'll work with Blyth and Corina, who are Mother and son! (how cute is that?)
It reduces the mental load. Corina and Blyth make it so easy and send new clothes after a growth spurt or before the season changes. Once I get the new clothes, I drop off the old ones at the post office and never have to think about them again.
Can you say closet space? I use to have bags and bags of clothes that I would try to sell on marketplace or donate to a friend, but more often than not the clothes just sit there collecting dust.
Disclaimer: I am affiliated with Tradle as their web developer.
Wooden Toys
Wooden toys have been making a comeback, and it's not difficult to understand why. Not only are they beautiful, but they also enhance early learning and creativity.
Whey we love them:
They double as decor. Neutrals are BIG. Take a look at your Instagram feed, and you'll find the trendsetters decorating their homes in beautiful browns and beige hues. For wooden toys, this translates into toys that highlight the wood's natural grain and have little to no paint.
They are better for the environment. Today's plastic toys tend to be inexpensive and made with flimsy plastic. Not only are wooden toys more durable, but they are biodegradable and take fewer resources to make.
They promote imagination. Toys with fewer bells and whistles generally do!
Take a look at our collection of natural wooden toys!
This post contains affiliate product links that are used in my home and workshop. Affiliate links help me buy wood, paint and other supplies to make wooden toys!
