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 we’ve researched to death. 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 cozy and practical items that make daily life easier (for both baby and mom!). I’ve categorized the list so it’s easy to shop depending on what you’re looking for — toys, play space upgrades, everyday gear, and gift ideas that last beyond Christmas. If your baby is around 6–12 months, I hope this gives you some inspiration! Feel free to ask questions or share your own favorites — I’m always looking for the next great find. Here’s to making his first Christmas magical, meaningful, and actually useful. 🧸✨

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!