Mommy Gearest’s Glorious Gift Guide, part I: newborn to 12 months

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What happens when you give dozens of parent-and-baby testers some of the newest – and potentially hottest – toys and gear? You get a parent-and-kid-approved list of the must-buy gifts this holiday season.

Mommy Gearest’s Glorious Gift Guide is different because the products here haven’t paid to be here, and they weren’t chosen using images sent electronically with press releases. (Yes, that really happens.) These are the honest-to-goodness favourites among moms and dads just like you. The ones who think the perfect gift isn’t about hype, but about good value for money, great functionality and about what your kid is going to love for the long haul.

In an effort to make this easy for parents to navigate, I’ve created four separate gift guides that you’ll be able to peruse by age group. That means that if you have a two year old, you won’t have to wade through a pile of gift solutions that probably won’t work for you. This first one is aimed at babies less than a year old.

So, enjoy! Share this with grandparents and godparents, aunts and uncles.

If you haven’t seen them yet, here are Mommy Gearest’s Glorious Gift Guide PART II,  PART III and PART IV. If you’re looking for a round-up of what I consider the top stocking stuffers this year, click here.

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What is it? Yummy Yucky, written & illustrated by Leslie Patricelli

What’s it cost? $8

Where can I get it? Indigo

What is it? Organic cotton BadBaby onesie (several slightly offensive phrases available!)

What’s it cost? $25 including shipping

Where can I get it? BadMotherTees

What is it? VTech Turtle Bath Toy

What’s it cost? $19.99 (free shipping when you spend $20+)

Where can I get it? Best Buy

What is it? Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun Animal Planet (3-in-1 activity centre)

What’s it cost? $149.99 (including shipping – see details) & save $10 when you enter code EVENFLO10 at checkout

Where can I get it? Toys R Us

What is it? Franck & Fischer Heidi kitty rattle, made of 100 per cent organic GOTS-certified cotton yarn and Chinese Nanmu wood

What’s it cost? $29.99

Where can I get it? Crocodile Baby        

What is it? Handmade patchwork baby bib with button closure (several designs available)

What’s it cost? $12

Where can I get it? Carolie.ca        

What is it? Skip Hop Dunck Stacking Bath Toys, which double as rinse cups (also available in blue/green)

What’s it cost? $12.99

Where can I get it? raspberrykids.com  

What is it? Stonz infant set: reversible Hattz + Booties + Mittz (bonus: no thumbs!) – comes in a variety of colours and patterns

What’s it cost? $24.99 for Hattz + $43.99 for Booties + $29.99 for Mittz

Where can I get it? Stonz (Hatz + Booties + Mittz)

What is it? Franck & Fischer Mylius Monkey cuddle cloth (lovey), made of 100 per cent organic jersey cotton & velour (75 per cent certified cotton, 25 per cent polyester)

What’s it cost? $29.99

Where can I get it? Peatoes

What is it? Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Big Board Book

What’s it cost? $8.99

Where can I get it? Scholar’s Choice

What is it? Baby Giraffe two-piece photo prop set

What’s it cost? $35

Where can I get it? Trendy Bambini

What is it? Zooley Monkey Teething Toy by Ringley – natural, untreated maple ring and organic cotton (enter to win one here!)

What’s it cost? $26

Where can I get it? Nurtured

What is it? OM home Avnee 2-in-1 (convertable) romper/bundler – handmade in Canada from 100 per cent GOTS-certified organic cotton (read the review) [enter to win one + a 3-pc layette set!]

What’s it cost? $43 – use “MOMMYGEAREST25” at the checkout to get 25 per cent off until Dec. 24, 2012!

Where can I get it? OM home

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DISCLAIMER: The majority of the products featured in this gift guide were provided either to me or to another parent tester. Some were personally purchased. In all cases, products are only considered “gift guide-worthy” if they would receive a minimum 4/5 gears (see “What the gears mean”). Many other products were provided for consideration that are not featured. You can trust that brands/agencies/companies have not paid to be in this gift guide!