St Nicholas Day on 6 December is one of the most charming traditions of the Polish winter: children wake up to find small gifts in their shoes or under the pillow. When there is a little one in the family, parents often wonder what St Nicholas Day gift for a baby makes sense, since a baby has no idea who St Nicholas is yet. Here is how to choose a small, safe present that suits the baby's age, what fits into a shoe, and how to plan St Nicholas Day and Christmas gifts so they complement each other.
Does a baby need a St Nicholas Day gift?
A baby of a few months won't be waiting for St Nicholas – but parents, older siblings and grandparents usually want the little one to get a small present too. It's a lovely way to start a family tradition and take the first St Nicholas photo. It doesn't have to be a big purchase, though. One small, well-chosen toy that will be used every day works best, while the bigger present can wait for Christmas.
St Nicholas Day gift for a baby – ideas for the first year
What matters most is matching the gift to the baby's stage of development. Something a two-month-old finds fascinating may bore a six-month-old – and the other way round.
0–3 months: contrast and gentle sounds
Newborns don't see clearly yet and love looking at bold black-and-white patterns, so high-contrast toys are a great first St Nicholas gift – for example high-contrast baby rattles, set of 2, with a gentle sound. A parent can slowly move them in front of the baby's eyes, and before long the baby will start reaching for them.
3–6 months: something to grab and chew
At this age babies discover their hands, grab everything and put it in their mouths. A soft teether is a good idea – such as the sensory teether Elephant with a quiet rattle, which combines a teether with a rattle that makes only a subtle sound. You'll find more ideas in our rattles and teethers collection.
6–12 months: exploring and first books
By six months most babies can sit, pass things from hand to hand and love crinkly textures. It's the perfect time for a soft book. The My First Book sensory book catches attention with colourful illustrations and contrasting elements, and parents can look at it together with the baby. More designs are waiting in the sensory books collection. If you'd like something with more to do, try the Montessori sensory cube with a mirror and zip – each side offers a different activity: teethers, a mirror, a zip and crinkly parts.
St Nicholas Day gift for a one-year-old
A one-year-old often cruises along the furniture, reaches for everything and likes to copy adults. Choose a toy that encourages independent play, such as the wooden Montessori shape-sorting board designed for children from 12 months – the toddler matches colourful pieces to the pegs and practises hand–eye coordination. For more ideas, browse our wooden toys.
If you want the gift to be a little bigger, consider the Box of Joy gift set – 4 toys, put together for babies and one-year-olds. You can even split it: one toy for St Nicholas Day and the rest under the Christmas tree.
A small gift for the shoe – how to choose it
The traditional St Nicholas gift goes into a shoe or a stocking, so it should be small. A few things to keep in mind:
- Shoe-sized. A rattle, a teether or a small soft book fits easily – put a bigger set next to the shoe instead.
- No sweets. For a baby, a toy is a far better choice than a chocolate St Nicholas.
- No tiny decorations on the wrapping. Glitter, sequins and small embellishments are not something a baby should get hold of.
- Something useful. A little gift that comes in handy in the pram, the changing bag or by the changing table will please parents more than another ornament.
Planning the St Nicholas gift for a baby together with Christmas
There are less than three weeks between 6 December and Christmas Eve, so it helps to plan both presents together. Go for something small on St Nicholas Day – a rattle, a teether or a book – and save the bigger present, such as a gift set or a wooden toy, for Christmas. That way the baby won't get two similar things and the family can share ideas more easily. For Christmas gift ideas by age, read our follow-up guide Christmas gift for a baby.
Safety first
- check the age marking on the toy and choose products suited to the baby's stage (e.g. 0+ or from 12 months),
- avoid toys with small detachable parts, magnets or accessible batteries,
- remove price tags, foil and ribbons before giving the toy to the baby,
- babies should always play under adult supervision, and the cot should be free of toys during sleep.
Order your St Nicholas gift in good time
Carriers are busier in early December, so it's best not to leave shopping to the last minute. Orders placed at Plushyk before 1 pm are shipped the same working day from our warehouse in Poland and usually arrive within 1–2 working days. Buy 3 toys and get 10% off – a handy way to sort out both the St Nicholas gift and the Christmas present at once. We offer free delivery within Poland over 80 PLN, and you have 14 days to return your order. All our December ideas are collected in Christmas toys.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best St Nicholas Day gift for a baby?
One small toy matched to the baby's age works best: a high-contrast toy for a newborn, a teether or rattle for a few-month-old, and a soft book or sensory cube for an older baby.
What should I give a one-year-old for St Nicholas Day?
One-year-olds enjoy toys they can move and match on their own, such as a shape sorter or a Montessori board designed for children from 12 months.
What can I put in a baby's shoe on St Nicholas Day?
A rattle, a teether or a small soft book will fit. Instead of sweets, pick an age-appropriate toy and wrap it without small decorations.
Should the St Nicholas gift be different from the Christmas gift?
Ideally they should complement each other: something small on St Nicholas Day and a bigger present at Christmas, so the baby doesn't end up with two similar toys.
