First Christmas Gift for 5 Mos Old Niece?

J.,

Christmas for a 5 month old is really for the parents, kinda like the first birthday, not the baby. She will have NO CLUE what is going on.

What would I get? Books - the material kind that she can chew on, crinkle, feel, etc.

A keepsake Christmas tree ornament with her name and the year on it. A gift certificate for professional baby portraits. An infant/toddler sled.

You can never go wrong with books. Sandra Boynton writes tons of super cute board books that are great for babies.

Otherwise, this is a really good toy for a baby that age: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008MTYTY4/ref=s9_simh_g...

This is great too, though it is pretty popular so they may already have it, or something similar: http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Learn-Groove-Musical-Table...

Does she have a play mat?
Our son LOVED his play mat at that age.
I'd sit on the floor next to him and go through the mail while he was kicking, pulling and scooting all over it.
There are a lot of different ones out there but this will give you an idea of what to look for:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=118382...

Gift certificate for the mom and baby to take a fun class together?

I also like the idea of a Christmas ornament. My kids get them every year and they LOVE looking back at their older ones. Or maybe even make one with her...put her foot print or hand print on something :).

Savings Bonds

Coins... Roll of Morgan's, Silver Eagle' or a proof set of her birth year.
We collect numismatics and there are many years that I give nieces and nephews a special coin or coins.

Donation to her college savings fund.

PS: some moms mentioned a Christmas ornament. I think that is a great idea as well. We have always given our daughter a special ornament each year. This will be her first Christmas in her new condo and she already has a nice supply of ornaments with meaning.

I give my niece a hallmark ornament every year. My niece is older so I also include a $20 so she can buy herself a toy too or save it.

My top favorite baby gifts were already mentioned: savings bond and holiday ornament. I'd also suggest the books that you can record your voice reading each page.

Money for college or books

I would buy her a beautiful ornament every year. Don't buy the ones with the year on it, as doing that will rule out all of the lovely ornaments without years on them. You can carefully write a two-digit year on the back or bottom of the ornament with a silver or gold fine tipped sharpie if you like. Only buy ornaments that will last a lifetime with care. No cheesy plastic. Pewter, crystal, glass, silver, brass, etc. is best.

By the time she moves out to make her own home, she'll have a nice collection of ornaments for her own tree. :-)

I agree with baby-proof books (fabric ones are great); also, there are some plastic baby-safe photo albums that you can put a few photos in to start. My son loved his when he was old enough.

http://www.carters.com/s/Carters/carters-baby-girl-toys-a...

Anything more expensive, either buy a savings bond or a donation to their college fund.

You are the Aunty.
I would do something that would be your tradition for her each Christmas as she grows up.
ie: an Ornament. Each year, with the year on it etc.
Like the others suggested.
As she gets older, she will look forward to her "special" ornament from her Aunty.

At this age they don't even know what a Christmas gift is.
Or if the parents are not "rich" then get things for baby that they could use, but cannot afford to get themselves.
Even if it is clothing or diapers etc.

And when she is older, or whenever, you can get her a birthstone pendant etc. www.etsy.com also has great gift ideas, or maybe a pendant that says "with love, from Aunty Jane" on it, with the year on it.

Or, a special book, that you hand write a note on the inside cover, for her, from Aunty. An inspirational type book, for girls. Or a poem book. Because not now, but as she gets older, it will be very special and treasured.

I agree Books. Even if they are for an older child.

We always read all sorts of books to our child.

Also in a few months, the child will be read to move to a Tree swing. Tiny Tikes and Fisher Price make great snap in swings.

If they do not already have a Doorway jumper, you may want to consider it. Our daughter could have spent hours in one if we would have let her.

My daughter had a "tag" book that she loved. It has little tags that stick out everywhere that she chewed on and like to touch.
We also loved the hard back books by Sandra Boynton. Very cute.
I always go for books. The last forever and kids should read and be read to!
L.

OMG at that age there are so many things. Just go to Toys R Us and walk down the Fisher Price, Playskool, Little Tikes aisles. The price range can be from 5.00 to 80.00. Babies love bright colors and musical things. I would go for something that goes from age 6 mos to 24 mos. some even go from 6 to 36 months. My granddaughter loves the I think it is called the Like and Learn. It is expensive, but absolutely loves it. It has a door to crawl thru and is double sided with lots of things to do and music to play. She loved it at 6 months and still loves it at 16 months.

Diapers. Babies always need those. And beautifully gift-wrapped, too.

Books! She'll appreciate them later. The board books are sturdy enough for babies.

A very soft, squashy stuffed animal, made to be safe for babies.

A nice photograph of her mama and daddy for her bedroom.

Savings bond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Savings bond, coins, piggy bank, $ for savings account. I try to be practical. I don't personally know any child that needs another single toy (including my own!)

$ for college since she is too young to appreciate gifts.

At this age if she has everything then an outfit or something small. When she gets older she'll appreciate gifts. The gifts at this age are basically for the mom. What she'll enjoy doing with the baby.

I do think books are good but mom can only spend so much time reading to the baby. The kiddo is going to want to be down and doing tummy time and starting to scoot forward.

Books are always great. Even if it is a book that won't be appreciated until older. You can write a nice note on the inside cover. You can always go with something that she would be able to use between christmas and her birthday to tie her over until she gets birthday gifts. Maybe some type of toy that is for age 9 months+, or some clothes that are in a larger size. My son was already running by his first birthday, so a good pair of soft leather soled shoes will be useful (and cute).

http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=ministar&category=...

Start a tradition - give her an ornament with her name on it or the year or a favorite image (snowman, reindeer, whatever). Every year, give her another ornament. When she graduates and goes off on her own, she'll have a starter set of ornaments for her own tree. Believe me, it's a great tradition.

If you are wanting to get a gift she can use...an outfit a size up from what she is in, a toy she can use in a few more months. If you want to get a more practical gift, a savings bond (you can get them for half their face value at the bank) so it can be put away until after it matures or a deposit into a college account (by the time she will need it, it will have incurred much more value.

If you are looking for a keepsake type of gift, a necklace or bracelet with her initial(s) or an ornament.

diapers
winter clothes
building blocks
formula (if uses it)
convertible carseat
plate/cup/spoon set
soft blankets