Filling stockings for Baby’s First Christmas can be as stressful as it is exciting, especially if you have older children who are just beginning to understand the concept of Santa. Finding items small enough for the stocking and big enough to be baby-safe is always a challenge. Helping parents and grandparents fill stockings for these tiny babies is a sweet spot for Beyond the Blackboard - over the years, it is a fun, ongoing challenge to find the perfect things for these special stockings. Here are favorites for Baby’s First Christmas (0-12 months):

1. Douglas Sshlumpie: First of all, if you have a new baby and don’t have one of these, you NEED one! This blanket-like lovey is a great tool for engaging your newborn with gentle tickles and sensory feedback.
2. A Great Teether: All babies try to chew on their hands. Okay, they do chew on their hands. Especially when they’re teething. These great little teethers are lined with various baby-safe materials and are often trimmed with teething silicone. Which leads to another favorite:
3. Baby Paper: This delightfully simple little gizmo is, well, simple. As soon as a little one grasps one of these crinkly cloths, they’re hooked (and generally won’t let go). Keep one in the diaper bag, one in the glove box, one in the stroller, one in the kitchen, one in the bedroom…you get the idea. (P.S. They also make a great bow to tie on top of a baby gift!) Baby Paper is available in-store. Please feel free to give us a call at 303-422-5151 if you'd like to add some to your order, over the phone!
4. Flow n Fill Spout: If you’ve spent any time with me, you likely know I love bath toys. Like love them. But my personal love for bath toys aside, this bath toy is seriously the cutest!
5. SmartMax: SmartMax toys are a great early building set, especially since their basic sets are rated for just 12 months! I like the animals for this filler, since you can put whole creatures into the stocking. Just open the box and put the animals in – maybe mix them up and make some silly creatures first. After all, Santa should always make time to play, too!
6. Oombeecube: The best thing about this silicone shape sorter? All the pieces are attached! I can’t promise it will fit in every stocking, but pretty darn close!
7. Whirly Squigz: Suction cup these to the table, floor, sliding door, or any other smooth surface and let baby spin. For stockings, just ditch the packaging. Any maybe get an extra set so you can have some for the diaper bag, too. (They also go great on airplane tray tables – up or down.)