Hold onto your paper cracker crowns, it’s that time of year again! Yes, the BG gift guide has landed. We’ve got six guides for different age groups (0-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and 5-7) each with 20 cool finds, plus our pick of the year’s best gift books, pressie ideas for mamas and papas and stocking fillers. You’ll find a range of prices, independent retailers and UK designers, a lot of eco buys and toys that encourage creativity and imaginative play. You won’t find anything battery operated or character-driven. Don’t go shopping without it! Also look out for our festive 12 Bests: Stockings & Sacks, Pyjamas, Decorations, Wrapping Ideas and Crafts. First up – our ideas for the smallest members of the family.
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Babies find joy in colour, texture and sounds. They need bright or high-contrast toys that are easy to focus on. They’re learning to grasp – which is why my hair is up a lot these days – but they will also enjoy listening to and staring at objects. Toys that move slowly or are easily handled are most of interest, and, of course, everything will find its way to baby’s mouth.
Wooden Teething Ring Soother, £8, CwtchBugs. A natural organic alternative to plastic teethers, providing both a soft and hard surface to soothe painful gums.
Deuz Minimaracas, £28.99, Eeny Meeny Kids. This tactile set of three eco-friendly wooden maracas come in a recycled cardboard box.
Mimi’Lou Cotton Cube Zoo, £13.50, The Kid Who. Soft cotton cube with a bell inside, featuring a zebra, giraffe, elephant, tiger, polar bear and kangaroo.
Lanco Ocean Bath Toy Set, £13.49, Babipur. Set of three natural rubber toys, hand painted using food grade dyes.
My First Gym, £35, When I Was A Kid. Wooden gym with colourful rattles and rings dangling from the sturdy frame to encourage reaching and kicking.
Minnie Mushroom Rattle, £11.95, Esthex. This little cutie is great for grasping (and machine washable).
Fisher-Price Two Tune TV, £29.99, Selfridges. A classic – will be as much loved now as it was when it was introduced in 1966.
Hippychick Wooden Rocking Horse, £95, Alex & Alexa. Love the clean, crisp design – a toy that looks good, but will also be treasured.
Kid O Stack & Nest Cups, £13.50, Molly-Meg. Five brightly coloured cups great for bathtime fun, or stacking and building on dry land.
Duns Sweden Trees Zip Romper, £21, Love It Love It Love It. 100% organic cotton romper depicting trees through the seasons, from spring blossom and summer fruits to autumn leaves and evergreen winter pines.
Siebensachen Mozartkugel Music Box, £49.99, Toyella. A turn of the large key magically produces one of Mozart‘s melodies from inside the solid beech ball whether on a shelf or rolling across the floor.
Brio Puck Dog, £18, Home & Kids. First introduced in 1964, Puck consists of eight stacking pieces and is great for developing children’s coordination and colour recognition skills.
Moover Baby Truck, £47.99, Dorothy & Theodore. Made from sustainably sourced wood and designed to encourage little ones to develop their motor skills.
Wee Gallery Art Cards, Peek-a-boo Collection, €11.50, Noeuf. These high-contrast recycled flash cards are beautifully finished with matte lamination and child-friendly rounded corners.
Animal Towers, £43.20, Play to Z. Gorgeous wooden animals suitable for stacking, skittles, role play, stories or wherever your imagination takes them.
Set of Play Silks, £45, Mama Pixie. A rainbow of play silks – use as toy blankets, picnic rugs or for dressing up or hiding – the possibilities are endless.
Flipity Flops Rainbow Sensory Ball, €15, Shak-Shuka. Plenty of textures and tags to explore, plus an integral bell -  you’ll love having it around to brighten your day.
London Bus, £30, Habitat. Brightly painted and full of little wooden people, the double decker bus is sure to be a hit.
Stuf Blue Bird Developmental Toy, £11.50, Little Baby Company. Designed with the focus of strengthening a baby’s nervous system while boosting their developing senses.
Janod Penguin Stacker, £16.95, Bebemoda. Made from solid wood, the stacker easily assembles, sways and tinkles – a fab take on a classic toy.
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