by Rick Shepard

Created on: December 17, 2009   Last Updated: December 19, 2009

Since babies seem to have the most fun frolicking in the empty boxes and crumpled wrapping paper produced every December 25th, the situation could easily, however callously, take care of itself.

But seriously, a few things need to be considered when purchasing gifts for babies. Should you purchase toys or, if your crafty, go home-made. Babies will get the same enjoyment either way, and the parents will appreciate the time you took to actually make the gift. Just be sure to be extra careful to produce a toy that's age appropriate and safe for the child. In today's lawsuit-prone society, even the closest of family members have turned to the courts over the most frivolous of disagreements.

If you decide to produce the item yourself, and your especially good with a sewing machine, needle and thread, clothing and blankets are always a big hit, if not with little Johnny, at least with Mom and Dad. A quick Google search will produce hundreds of downloadable patterns you can use to produce the perfect outfit. Or maybe your handy with power tools. Children throughout history have enjoyed small wooden toys like trucks and noise-makers. 

If you're no Martha Stewart, or just don't feel you have the time to invest, its time to enter the fray that is the December shopping season. Now your choice is Internet or brick-and-mortar, or some mixture of the two.

Babies need stuff. Passifiers, coloring books and crayons, age-appropriate arts and crafts, even big boxes of diapers make great gifts. Just be sure to include a mixture of fun items with necessities. Old favorites like dolls, small tricycles, cars and trucks, and see-and-say's are always popular and surfing the net will provide lists of what new and improved for 2009.

FindGift.com is an extremely good site. It allows users to search by occasion, specific age, toy category, and price. The site included a gift registry and a 'saved' search function allowing shoppers to browse and keep a list of promising items. The even have an eco-friendly section for green buyers. Gifts.com and Babygiftidea.com are two other excellent sites.

If your purchasing for other families, the most important consideration this holiday season is the economic situation of the family for whom your buying. Be sure to keep your gift appropriate and consider the parent's feelings. Few things can create hard feelings like purchasing gifts for baby that the parents couldn't themselves afford.

Merry Christmas!

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