Haley Vanness

Useful or joy-inducing items I would love to receive for Christmas!

As a first-time mom, I wanted to make a Christmas list that actually makes sense for an 8-month-old — no clutter, no gimmicks, just things he’ll truly use and grow with. This list includes developmental toys, Montessori play essentials, and baby gear. Everything here encourages crawling, exploring, sensory learning, or independent play — because this stage is FULL of curiosity and big milestones. You’ll also find a few practical items that make daily life easier (for both baby and mom!).

I’m turning another year older and decided to finally create a curated birthday wishlist of things I genuinely love, use, or have been eyeing for months. I like to think of this list as a mix of practical favorites, little luxuries, and a few “treat yourself” items that just make life brighter. From everyday essentials to things that spark joy, everything here has a reason behind it — and I’m happy to answer any questions if you’re shopping or just browsing for inspiration! If you’ve tried any of these already, let me know what you thought — and send me your own recs, I’m always looking for new favorites. Thanks for being here & celebrating with me! 🎂✨

Currently enjoying my seven month old while looking back on those newborn trenches… here is what got us through!