Christmas Gifts for New Parents: 6 Keepsakes They Will Keep

Quick answer: The best Christmas gifts for new parents are the ones they would never buy for themselves but will keep forever: a birth stats ornament with the baby’s photo, weight and length, a “My First Christmas” ornament with the baby’s name and year, a family photo ornament for their first Christmas as a family, or a handmade crochet cocoon for the newborn photos. Expecting this year? A “bun in the oven” ornament with the due date is the one to give. Most cost $17 to $40 and are made to order.

New parents are short on sleep, not on baby gear. What they rarely get is something that marks this year for them. Below are six ideas, who each one suits, and a few tips on timing and what to ask the parents before you order.

1. A birth stats ornament with the baby’s photo

The baby’s photo on one side and a birth announcement on the other, with the name, birth date and day, time, weight and length. It turns the hospital card into something they hang every December.

Best for: parents of a baby born this year; it is our most ordered baby keepsake.

Baby Birth Stats Photo Ornament $24.99 $36.99 Personalize it

2. “My First Christmas” with a teddy and a tree

A round ceramic ornament with a raised 3D Christmas tree tied with a gingham bow, a little teddy bear at its base, “My First Christmas” above the baby’s name in script and the year below. Pick a pink or blue bow.

Best for: a classic first-Christmas ornament from grandparents, aunts or friends.

My First Christmas Teddy Bear Name Ornament $19.99 $28.99 Personalize it

3. A softer pick: the little goose ornament

A sculpted goose in a bonnet beside a decorated pine tree, inside a scalloped ribbon border with a candy-stripe edge, with the baby’s name and “First Christmas” and the year. It comes in a pink or a blue stripe and suits a calm, pastel nursery.

Best for: parents with a soft, neutral style.

Little Goose Baby’s First Christmas Ornament $19.99 $28.99 Personalize it

More baby ornament ideas are in our guide to baby’s first Christmas ornaments.

4. For expecting parents: a “bun in the oven” ornament

A little mint oven with a glowing window, the baby’s name (or “Baby”) inside, “Bun in the Oven” under the door and the due month and year on top. It is a sweet way to announce a pregnancy at a family Christmas, and it stays on the tree as the baby’s first ornament before birth.

Best for: parents due in the coming months.

Bun in the Oven Expecting Baby Ornament $16.99 $26.99 Personalize it

5. Their first Christmas as a family: a photo cut-out ornament

Send a family photo with the baby, dogs included, and it is cut out around everyone in glossy raised acrylic with no frame or background. It comes in 4, 5 or 6 inches.

Best for: the new family’s first holiday photo.

Family Photo Cut-Out 3D Acrylic Ornament $19.99 $24.00 Personalize it

Ideas for the whole family’s tree: see our family Christmas ornament ideas.

6. Beyond the tree: a crochet cocoon for newborn photos

A hand-crocheted animal cocoon, about 25 inches, with a hood with ears and an embroidered face, a button closure and the baby’s name stitched on the front flap. It is made for those first sleepy photos, and it becomes a keepsake once the baby outgrows it.

Best for: a baby shower gift, or parents planning a newborn photo session.

Personalized Crochet Animal Newborn Cocoon $39.99 $50.99 Personalize it

Tips before you order

• Ask for the details quietly. Birth date, time, weight, length and the exact spelling of the name; a text to the other parent or a grandparent usually works.

• Baby not here yet? Choose the expecting ornament now, and a name ornament after the birth.

• Order early. Each piece is made to order, so leave a few weeks before Christmas.

• Pair it with practical help. An ornament plus a meal drop-off or an hour of babysitting is the gift new parents remember.

Planning the first family Christmas photo? See our guide to family Christmas photo outfit colors.

If the baby has not arrived yet, a pregnancy Christmas ornament is a gentle way to share the news with family.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good Christmas gift for new parents?

A keepsake that marks this year: a birth stats ornament, a “My First Christmas” ornament with the baby’s name, or a family photo ornament. They are personal, small and last for years.

What do you give expecting parents for Christmas?

A “bun in the oven” ornament with the due date is a fun one. It can also be used to share the news with family on Christmas Day.

What details do I need for a birth stats ornament?

The baby’s name, birth date, time, weight and length, and a clear photo if the design uses one.

How long does a personalized gift take?

Each piece is made to order. Shipping options and estimated delivery dates are shown at checkout.

See more baby’s first Christmas ornaments and gifts for the whole family.