3 Month Old Ideas

I agree with most of the others, don't go overboard. My son was 5 months old at his first Christmas, and we bought him a couple of the newer baby toys to stack and roll and that lit up and made music. He got lots of enjoyment out of those in the next months. But for my next 2, who were similar ages at Christmas, we bought some clothes and a small toy. They already had so much in hand-me-downs that they didn't need anything.

Hi! My daughter was born in September last year and so didn't know much of what was going on last Christmas. We didn't buy her much b/c her grandparents were going to buy her a few toys, but one thing we did get her was a coin proof set. This is a nice keepsake that he might like when he is older. My dad has one from when he was born and it's neat to see what the coins looked like then as opposed to now. You buy them from the US Mint. Here is the site:

http://catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Categ...

Hope you find some answers that you can use from this community :)

This is not so much a toy idea, but it's an idea that will benefit your son in the future. Take the money that you want to use for toys and start a 529 college plan. It's a great way to save for his future and anybody can contribute to it. This is a gift that you won't regret and he will thank you for later in life:)

Last x-mas my daughter was two months old. She didn't much care about any of the festivities but just to make it 'feel' right to the rest of us she had presents to open. She got diapers, wipes, first foods (for later), bottles, extra pacifiers, a christmas ornament, a photo album (empty of course, and yes...she got 3 toys (not that she cared). I neat idea for big sis is to go through her things and wrap one of her used-to-be-loved items to 'pass on' to the new baby. I have vivid memories of doing this for my 6-year younger sister and feeling VERY proud for giving such a gift to her. Many words later: love is absolutely all you're baby needs for Christmas and doing these gestures, or any gestures, show it.

Start him a college fund. Mine was 3 months old last year and he was OBLIVIOUS to the whole thing. But then, I'm not a big believer in buying kids tons of stuff-- mine just turned one and he's not getting anything other than a contribution to his 529 this year either. I buy him what he needs when he needs it, so I'd either be "saving" something he needs for Christmas, or buying him something he doesn't need just for that day. Neither makes much sense to me.

Maybe instead you want to go to Olan Mills or Target or somewhere and get a family picture taken together. That would be something nice for you all to have when he's older.

My daughter was also three months at christmas 3 years ago. I bought nothing! My family bought books, touch a feel items, and winter clothes. Again, I bought nothing. The money that you would of normally spent on christmas, just put away for when your son really does need something. Like a entire new wardrobe when he goes through a growth spurt. Just a thought. I will anxious to see what others say.

How about getting him some personalized things? Lilian Vernon has all sorts of things that you can get with his name on it, blankets, pillow, puzzles etc. I guess you are just looking for something for him to unwrap since his sister will have things right? If you get something like that it will be nice for his room and he can appreciate it as he gets bigger.

For their first Christmas, my boys got the Fisher Price Learning Home and it was their favorite toy for a long time. They still play with it after they turned two, because it has two different learning modes and a lot of activities that let them push buttons or just play imaginatively -- if that's a word ;)

http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&...

Other than that, I say skip the gifts. We didn't buy them anything their first (the toy I mentioned was a gift from the grandparents) or second Christmas, and they didn't know the difference.

My socer.

Baby Einstein videos are wonderful, Large soft blocks are great for that age. They don't need expensive things to be happy.

Hi L., At that age, all he needs is your love and attention. If you want to get him a gift why not just get him a stuffed animal or two that he can enjoy? Kids don't need a lot of stuff, they don't need tons of electronics or the latest fashions. What they need is strong family ties, structure, and limits. Best wishes.

I would stick to things that can help his development like soft books, blocks, etc. The 529 plan is a good idea too! Don't go overboard...he won't know the difference anyways!

A winkle...every baby needs one. It is the first toy my kids were able to hold onto. He'll be the perfect age.

Your son doesn't really need to be inundated with toys at his age. We try to spend equal amounts on our kids, but he doesn't really need much, and he's so little he won't notice. Why don't you take this time to start his a savings account ? Buy him one toy -- my mother-in-law bought our (then) 4 month old the "best toy of the year" one christmas. It was a turtle, with 4 lights on its shell, and it was kind of like a baby Simon toy. It had lights and sounds and she needed some help playing with it, but WOW ! It calmed her, it held her interest and it was really fun to play with it with her.

Because you have an older daughter, you will want to have a small item or two for her sake - maybe something from Santa and something from the family. Is there a practical item that he might be able to use? What about a rolling duffle/suitcase? There are some really cute personalized ones available and it's something he could use for years. At this age he won't care or know if he got fun toys. How about a music cd - fun kidsongs or classical are both great for setting the tone of playtime or sleepytime. If he doesn't have one, you could get a cd player to put in his room to play the music on while he falls asleep... and he can use it for many years. You could start a tradition of giving them each a special book or holiday ornament each year. They will love to dig out their special ornament and hang it on a special place on the tree each year. Otherwise, I'd put any more money that you want to spend (if you are concerned about keeping things even) into a savings/investment account for when he really needs something - get that college fund started now.

I have 3 close in age - 5,3.5 & 18 months. There is nothing wrong with the toys that the first or first 2 played with - no need spend money or collect things just to do so. After collecting way too much each year from a wide circle of extended family, we are burried in toys and gear. I am despritely trying to keep things simple this year. My 18 month old has practically anything she might want from the older 2 kids. She will be overwelmed with other activities going on so I'm sticking to the functional rule primarily for her - a duffle suitcase (my older 2 have them already and they have gotten great use out of them - the perfect size for toddler/preschool packing even for a week trip to CO!) and a personalized hooded towel/robe (my older 2 have them and they are wonderful in the colder months to keep them covered since the towels slide off them and she's outgrowing the baby style). While they might not sound exciting, I know she'll love dragging the suitcase around the house for a couple days and playing dress up in the towel when she opens it. She'll want to take the older kids' toys anyways once the initial excitement passes.

Try not to worry too much about it - just enjoy him ... He will love the lights and sounds and smells that are all around during the holidays. That is how a baby learns - let him enjoy those and don't be concerned that you are giving more to your daughter and leaving him out - he'll have plenty of years to want fancy items.

Dear L.,
If you haven't already done so, contact the White House Greetings Office to get a card for your son from the president. Whether you like the current president or not, it's a neat keepsake for the baby box, album or scrapbook, and it's VERY EASY! All you have to do is mail a postcard with the baby's name, address & birth date to:
White House Greetings Office
Room 39
Washington, D.C. 20500
However, beware that usually the baby's name is only on the envelope & not the card. It took the card out of the envelope & put them on facing pages in my daughter's baby scrapbook.
Good luck with finding creative ideas. :)

At this age, things that are small or light enough for him to hold are great, as are things that he can cause an effect with. What about a kick mat that plays music or lights up. I bought my daughter one (Baby Einstein I think)that had sea creatures on it. At one end was a "fishtank" filled with water and plastic fish. With each kick, the music changed and the light pattern changed. She LOVED it. Honestly, once she learned she could change the music, I never heard more than 2-3 notes of any song. Plus it was pretty sensitive, so it didn't take much for her to make the music change.

Babies R Us has an entire aisle of baby toys. There is are a bunch of Fisher Price and Baby Einstein toys that are small enough for little hands that make sounds and play music.

If you need more details, let me know. I'm at work and don't have access to the toys right now, but I could probably get you the exact names of some of them.

HTH,

C.

Really what does he need? Maybe some winter clothes and a few small toys. Much more would just be a waste of money--and whether money is an issue or not--why waste it? He's just too little to really know anything is going on. He'll just enjoy looking at the lights on the tree!

How about Baby Einstein DVDs, lots of the Sassy brands rattles and toys for infants, which are great! They're bright colored and very durable. Because he's so little, he doesn't need much. There's always a special outfit. Just something for a few photo opportunities. Don't forget his first Christmas stocking and first tree ornament, and just lots of fun photos!

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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Honestly i would buy nothing, he is not old enough to play with anything so what is the sense. If you want to buy him something to put under the tree just so your daughter doesn't ask why didn't santa buy her brother anything, then i would just buy a few rattles or a "My first christmas" teddy bear or footbal for him.

Two things my kids loved were the Fisher Price Step and Play Piano and the Fisher Price Baby Gymtastics Play Wall. What I loved about both of these was that these toys really held their attention and they were able to play with them through various stages of development, so I really felt like we got our money's worth and then some. The piano was a gift from a friend so I don't know the cost but I imagine it was well over $50. The play wall was about $40 and has components you can add on - a tunnel, a bouncing zebra, a tether ball, etc.

Save the money until next year!!!!!
they will not remember.....i would get a 1st Christmas outfit and bib and take alot of photos with family.....that is more of the memories.....My daughter was born November 6th and on the big items I had somewhat of both of them opening them. (OF course they would get passed down some day)