2014 Holiday/Christmas Gift Guide: The Best Baby Gear Gifts for Expectant Moms & Dads

Expectant families have a pretty set list of items that they need: the stroller, the car seat, the crib, the bouncer… all of these items can really stretch a growing family’s budget, so they’re automatically fantastic gifts for family and friends with a baby on the way!

Of course, part of our philosophy in selling baby gear is that every family is different, so there are better and not-as-good choices in each of those categories depending on the family. Our picks for this gift guide category are, accordingly, the items we believe are most universal: all of these baby gear gift picks are versatile, stylish, and are among the best products in their sphere. And your loved ones will be thrilled to pieces when the wrapping paper comes off of these boxes!

UPPAbaby 2015 Vista Stroller, $859.99
For stylish city parents, there’s hardly any stroller on the horizon that compares to the Vista. The reversible seat, the cozy and beautiful bassinet, the smooth-as-butter push, the front-and-rear suspension and sealed bearings, the luxuriously-sized canopy, and the enormous, easy-to-access basket make the Vista the ride of a lifetime.

And the 2015 Vista is even more versatile: the updated frame allows for a myriad of seating configurations for one or two babies, seating two infants, two toddlers, or an infant and a toddler in seats, car seats, or bassinets. Plus, the new intuitive one-step fold makes it easier than ever to handle.

It’s true that not every stroller is for every family (and we always urge customers to carefully consider their lifestyle before they buy), but if your loved ones plan on doing a lot of walking with their baby, they’ll be amazed and delighted when they find a Vista under the tree!

Britax Boulevard Clicktight Convertible Car Seat, $369.99 (on sale for $296.00)
Give the gift of safety! Not only are Britax Clicktight series convertible car seats loaded with top-of-the-line safety features, but they’re so incredibly easy to install – the Clicktight system gives you an easy, rock-solid install every time. And correct installation is absolutely essential for ensuring that the safety features on a car seat work the way they’re supposed to. Finally, the playful new styles on these seats are adorable!

Cybex Aton Q Infant Car Seat, $349.95
Speaking of safety: behind all the bold modern styling of the Aton Q, you’ll find up-to-the minute safety features that include the Linear Side-Impact Protection System, a load leg, and a height-adjustable headrest and harness. Along with all the peace of mind parents get from a supremely well thought-out design, there’s the convenience of toting their infant from the car to the stroller to the house without unbuckling their child from his seat, and there are plenty of infant car seat adapters that will allow this stylish high-tech seat to ride on a variety of strollers.

Nuna Leaf Baby Lounger, $219.95 
It’s actually even cooler than it looks! Not only does this baby rocker have a unique modern-art look, but it’s also whisper-silent, requires no batteries or plug, and has a unique side-to-side rocking motion that’s wonderfully soothing for sleepy or cranky babies (one nudge will keep it rocking for up to three minutes).

Finally, the Nuna Leaf is the only baby rocker that remains useful beyond babyhood: with a weight limit of up to 130 pounds, the Leaf can serve as a fun swaying seat for toddlers and kids, and you can even sit in it yourself. We love the Leaf!

Stokke Tripp Trapp, $249.00 
This is truly the gift of a lifetime: the Tripp Trapp is not only a superb high chair, but it also adapts for comfy seating throughout childhood and right up to adulthood. The seat adjusts by height and depth, with a footrest for a comfortable and ergonomic sitting position; just add the Baby Kit for a harness and padding for babies, and it’s dinner time! Also, it intentionally doesn’t come with a tray – the idea is to push babies right up to the dining room table to eat and bond with the family.

4Moms Breeze Travel Crib, $299.99 
Even if they’re not going anywhere, every family can use a lightweight, easy-to-set-up travel crib: it’s great for keeping the baby in mom and dad’s bedroom while they’re still young, and also great for a secondary napping spot around the house if the nursery isn’t right next to the room you’re working in. And the Breeze is truly a Breeze to use: to open it, press the tab in the middle, and it pops into shape. To close it, just pull up on the tab and it folds itself. It’s simple, stylish, and easy to use, as all baby gear should be!

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