Christmas and Chanukah are only a few weeks away, and if you’re looking for a baby gift, for your own child, a friend’s, or family member’s, you might be stuck on what to get. Toy stores are no help; the options are endless, and you might not be able to discern what is useful and what’s not. In general, follow guidelines for purchasing a holiday baby gift as you would for a shower: fun yet practical. Consider the following suggestions:

• Toys, toys, toys. A kid can’t ever have too many toys; yet, parents find that some activities are more useful than others. While play appears to be for fun, it’s educational for babies and toddlers but not in the ways you may think. Rather than reaching for Your Baby Can Read, find toys that stimulate a child’s senses, assist with building motor skills, or encourage creative or critical-thinking skills. For babies, these toys are often black, white, and red or have various colors and textures. For toddlers, on the other hand, soft toys that keep them active, such as blocks, dolls, or play sets, are your best bet.

• Be practical. Parents can never have too many onesies or diapers. But rather than going a mundane route, dress up your present. Holiday diaper cakes have a fun appearance and include 80 to 150 diapers. For clothing, consider the child’s age or size and go with basics: onesies, t-shirts, footies, or pants. Also, if parents prefer pink or blue, make sure to keep colors in mind.

• Think about parents’ wants or needs. Is a new mother carrying around an ordinary diaper bag? Surprise her with one that looks like a designer handbag on the outside but is equipped with all the features a parent needs inside. Or, if parents are in need of a new stroller, car seat, or crib, consider purchasing one, but ask about their preferences beforehand.

Creativity and practicality need to meet whenever you choose a baby gift. Although an item can be attractive in appearance, it is useless if a parent can’t use it regularly. Even though a red and green bootie set and hat might be perfect for the holidays, a parent has no use for it after December 25. Clothing, however, is not out of the question, and neither are toys, blankets, and other baby products. Even if ordinary in appearance, a baby product can be dressed up for the occasion and used for a few months after.

If you’re looking for holiday baby gifts for a friend, consider some of these items:

• Baby Clothes. Children, and babies in particular, can never have too many clothes. Items get soiled, they become small, or they just become worn after a few uses. Parents, as a result, are always in need of new baby clothes — onesies, t-shirts, and other items. But with a wardrobe consisting nearly entirely of solid color cotton clothing, a special occasion outfit – one that can be worn at least a few times – adds a little variation.
• Baby Toys. Is there a toy that a child won’t refuse? For babies, a new toy is more than a source of a new play item; a toy is often an item that he or she has never seen. Although baby toys for the first six months consist of items involving sight and hearing senses, those designed for six-month-olds and older encourage touch and gross motor skills, such as rolling, crawling, and touching. Play mats, for example, have enough space for rolling and offer many items for touching. Various soft baby toys are also designed with a varied surface, multiple colors, and noises.
• Diaper cakes. Typically a baby shower item, diaper cakes are useful to parents all year round. Each diaper cake is made with 80 to 150 diapers arranged in two to four tiers. Various baby products are attached to the outside. As parents always need diapers, a diaper cake gives them a large supply. Designers like Rattlecake, as well, make specific holiday cakes.