Unique Baby Gifts
From Small Brands You’ll Love
(UK Edition)
Becoming a new parent is beautiful, exciting and, well, overwhelming for the most part. Being responsible for this tiny little human 24hours a day with no handbook is no mean feat. In fact, this doesn’t necessarily get any easier the second or 3rd time round. So, I have put together this fantastic list of unique baby gifts from small brands that I think you’ll love! Because supporting a small brand means that you not only impress your recipient(s) with a really thoughtful, individual gift, you will also make a small business owner (who is quite often a multi-tasking parent too) very very happy! Supporting small is also, quite commonly an eco friendly option too.
Best Organic Baby Gifts
Many new parents are conscious of their environmental footprint, so purchasing an organic gift is a really kind way to align with their values. Not only this, but that newborn baby skin will thank you for your thoughtful decision, as organic gifts are imperative for looking after and protecting their little bodies by keeping horrid toxins away from their skin. By shopping with a small brand, you are also ensuring that your gift is gorgeously unique and really carefully made in small runs which is also better practice for the environment.
1) Skincare for Mum & Baby
So, this feels like a win win. A gift for the new baby and a gift for mum. For a new parent, finding time to look after yourself can be tough, so I think this balm is a really thoughtful, unique gift - you will certainly be on the list for first cuddles! A soothing, organic balm is a must have for delicate new skin, especially if they are prone to dry skin like my little ones are! From the key ingredients list and gorgeous packaging, you can almost smell these balms through your screen. Natures Devine, who are a small business based in the Midlands, also make a range of oils, bath salts and body sprays if you’re really looking to impress!
2) Organic Baby Clothing
Baby clothes are a really common gift option for new babies, so gifting organic clothing, which is unique and from a small brand just makes sense. After all, you wouldn’t want to buy the same thing as someone else and with small production runs that is almost guaranteed. I recommend this adorable sleeveless rib baby romper, which is available in 3 lovely soft colours, one option being oat, which is perfect if you want to buy gender neutral. Aneby make some really cute pieces of clothing, which are not only beautiful for those nice little occasions, like when the new parents go and register the baby name, or when the little one is first introduced to family and friends, but they are extremely practical too with thoughtful designs that integrate poppers in all the right places and, of course, soft, organic rib fabric which stretches and moves with those newborn stretches and scrunches.
Organic Baby Romper £13.50
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Gifts
Now, these might not be everyone’s cup of tea for a newborn baby gift, but I personally would be over the moon to receive what I consider to be a truly eco-friendly gift. Raising children in an uncertain world with global warming makes me worry about their future. It also makes me want to raise them as sustainably as possible so I am not adding to the problem. The following gift ideas are super unique, they’re from small independent UK brands (run by mums) and they literally don’t cost the earth! It’s a win on all fronts!
3) Cloth Nappies & Accessories
Fox and Marsh offer a beautifully curated selection of so many unique reusable cloth nappies and accessories; including change mats and baby balms. These are an absolute must for parents who want to avoid the standard disposable nappies (which sit in landfill for years to come). Here at Aneby HQ, I am really proud of our cloth journey with our 2 little ones and I have specifically designed our baby-wear to accommodate the bigger cloth bums! Not only are they a sustainable gift, they are really thoughtful and beautiful too - there are too many gorgeous prints to choose from!
Little Lovebum Newbie All In One Nappy £13.99
4) Pre-Loved Baby Clothing
So, pre-loved clothing may be a controversial gift, so this is quite specific to the new parents and how well you know them, but I think shopping and gifting pre-loved should be normalised! Again, it’s such a truly eco-friendly gift option, plus, with the price of second hand pieces, you can gift even more! Our Little Wardrobe’s focus is on curating quality occasionwear and they have a quality promise, so you can buy in confidence knowing that the pieces you buy will be gift worthy! I would personally be delighted with a little pre-loved bundle with some baby clothing from brands such as Frugi, Claude & Co and Mini Rodini!
Premium Pre-Loved Baby Clothes £6-55
Unique and Personalised Nursery Decor
New parents tend to get quite excited about decorating their little one’s nursery and quite rightly so. Why not give a gift for the baby’s nursery that will transform their new space and remind them of you every time they look at it?
5) Cute Prints & Wall Stickers
Ok, so The Little Jones may have a few too many options if unique nursery decor is for you. Decorating a baby nursery can be overwhelming for new parents and picking the cot, change station etc are likely their priority, so why not help them out with some gorgeous wall art in the form of prints or even stickers. The benefit of this option is that it is a suitable gift for a baby shower, gender reveal or the baby’s arrival. We’re even more impressed with the fact that you can order your print with a quality frame which is Made in the UK! Andddd you can order in sizes from A5 all the way up to A1 (which is huge btw!) Oh and of course they offer some personalised options too with the baby’s name, DOB and weight! Can someone gift me 2 of these please?!
6) Decorative Cord Letters
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Buttons and Bells decorative letters. Danielle has so many different options, but I think the classic corduroy letters would finish off any nursery beautifully! The letters are handmade to order and with so many fabric options you will be sure to get a unique gift like no other. I also can’t get enough of the Liberty London and corduroy mixes which offer an iconic floral look. If you need to purchase in advance of knowing the baby’s name or you aren’t sure what colour to go for, there is a gift card option so the new parents can choose their favourite.
Gifts for Playtime
Although the average newborn baby doesn’t come into the world ready to kick a ball and swing from high-ropes, trust me when I say, it happens sooner than you would like. We spend all of our time waiting for our babies to hit their milestones, only to wish they would slow down when they start to hit one after the other after the other! So, whilst it seems a way off, let’s help our new parents to prepare with a unique gift for playtime that can be used and treasured for years! These gifts also benefit the new parents by hopefully distracting their little one for long enough to drink their coffee hot (or warm - we’d accept a warm one at this stage of the game!)
7) Wooden Montessori Toys
Four Kids Toys offer a wonderful range of curated wooden Montessori inspired toys, which are fantastic for promoting open ended play by allowing children to explore and play independently without limits or too much guidance on how to “play correctly”. I love this Montessori Shape Drum which has so many educational benefits such as colour and shape recognition for younger babies and, leading onto space and dimensions as they mature into toddlers. It also looks beautifully made in quality wood rather than horrid plastic, so will be the highlight of any toy corner or playroom!
Montessori Shape Drum £12
8) Foam Tile Playmat
Liz launched Gus & Beau whilst on maternity leave and we’re very grateful that she did! Gus & Beau offer a fantastic, unique range of foam tile mats, which can be easily mixed and matched and also bought to fit your exact area or increased as your little one grows and starts to explore more and your playroom setup evolves. The design has obviously been really well considered with a surface which is firm for play and crawling, but soft for falls and waterproof for spills and it is non-toxic which is massively important for any new parent. I love the solid mats in pastel shades, but I am really obsessed with the subtle spots or star mats on white. They are so pretty and versatile for any room, so make for the perfect gift when you are not sure how or where they will be used.
Spots Playmat Set in Multicolour £75
