I was so glad to finally find a US source for this toy that I snapped it up even though my daughter is getting a bit old for it (she’ll be getting it either as a first birthday gift or as a stocking stuffer a few weeks later). I just love this sweet little rattle with her cute face and striped sleep sack. The 100% organic materials are an added bonus. You can purchase one of these great toys for $23.00 from peaceloveorganicearth.com, my new source for all things Nanchen. It would make a beautiful shower gift.

I picked one of these up at a close out store a few months back, and we have been really pleased with the quality. My daughter has lots of toys to choose from, but she gravitates toward this one when it is available. Something about the combination of soft fabrics and wood appeals to her. It makes a pleasing sound, too. All of the products in this line are made of high-quality hardwoods and are packaged in 100% recycled paperboard. You can purchase one for $6.95 at babyearth.com.

If you’re trying to find a gift for the baby who has everything, you might want to consider this Diamond Rattle by Bling Baby. This unique company sells all sorts of “bling” for baby, from clothing and shoes studded with stars and gems to hair accessories to light switches, all full of bling. The rattle is custom-made when ordered, and takes 2-3 weeks to ship. A truly upscale gift, this rattle sells for $74.95 at Bling-Baby.com.

I don’t know what it is about this beaded rattle from Snoodle that initially caught my eye, but it has got to be one of the cutest infant toys I have seen recently. There is just something about the face of the puppy that strikes me as adorable. If the puppy doesn’t get your little one’s attention, the colorful beads surely will, especially if you give them a shake. Any easy to use fastener allows you to attach it to a stroller, crib, etc. so your child can enjoy it wherever you go. There are lots of toys like this on the market, but I think this one is a definite winner. You can purchase one for $11.99 at BabyTango.com. A coordinating stuffed animal and play mat are also available.

I’ve yet to see a toy from Alimrose Designs that I didn’t like. Their rattles and squeakers are always adorable and classic. My new find is this sweet little Kitty Cat rattle. This vintage-inspired rattle will grow with your child.  Infants will enjoy it because it is easy to grasp and makes a pleasant sound when you shake it.  Toddlers will enjoy the kitty face and the soft body which make this cutie and ideal first friend. You can purchase one for $19.95 at cute-ture.com. It would make a wonderful baby gift.

We have a number of Kathe Kruse dolls at our house, but I am always surprised by the number of other fun toys available from this German toy designer.  My latest find is this adorable stuffed, soft Elephant Rattle.  Made from a soft cotton fleece, this toy is perfect for tiny hands that are just learning to grasp.  The toy has taggies for legs and ears, and babies are sure to love chewing on them.  Because of the high-quality of all Kathe Kruse products, you don’t have to worry about this toy going into little mouths.  The toy also has a rattle inside, which is sure to delight little ears and to help infants begin to to develop a sense of cause and effect.

You can purchase one of these sweet little elephants for $21 at TwoGirlsandaBoy.com.

Here is a great little stocking stuffer for the infant on your holiday shopping list.  Handcrafted from wood and dyed a deep and appealing red with all natural vegetable dyes, this little egg shaker is sure to delight.  Babies will enjoy exploring the wonderful sounds that this shaker makes. It is designed for babies age 6 months and up.  Older children will no doubt enjoy making music with this toy as well.

Each shaker is made by Channapatna artisans in India.  Earthentree Toys donates a percentage of their profits to support these artisans.  You can purchase one of these shakers for a very reasonable $6 at Chulamama.com.

I recently saw this set featured in American Baby Magazine and fell in love with it.  Our baby isn’t due in time to enjoy these Halloween treats, but I think they are adorable nonetheless.

The set includes two rattles both of which are handknit from super soft yarn.  One is a cute little pumpkin; the other is an oversized piece of candy corn.  The soft design makes them easy for little hands to grasp.

The set would make a unique shower gift for fall babies.  You can purchase the set for $17.99 at yellowlabelkids.com.

Whatever you’re doing or whatever you have in your hands, that’s what your baby wants. Cellphones just naturally attract children with their beeping sounds, flashing lights, and buttons. The next time you’re traveling with your child, keep this Baby Flowers Cellphone Rattle by Vilac in your purse. When your cell phone rings, take out the Baby Flowers Cellphone Rattle and talk into into it and when your baby tries to grab it from you, you can let him play with it. It’s a way of conditioning your child to want to play with his own “cellphone” while you’re using your cellphone.

This rattle is made of hardwood and lacquered with non-toxic finish/paint. It measures 6.3″ in height and is recommended for ages 12 months and above. In addition to the flower pattern shown above, the rattle also comes in Frog, Super Hero Eloi, Rosy the Cow, and Hearts.

Purchase your baby’s own cellphone for $13.90 at KangarooBoo.

I’m always looking for a fun and unusual gift for baby. Receiving blankets and bibs are all well and good (and needful!) but so are kitchen towels and we moms still appreciate a gift with a little fun to it.  This organic cotton animal onesie is fun and practical and comes with it’s own rattle and matching (reusable) organza pouch.

I like it.  It’s sweet and unexpected. You can order onesie (or twosie) for $24.00 each at bellydancebaby.com.

When you’re looking for a keepsake gift for baby’s first birthday you want an item that is elegant and lovely to look at. Silver spoons, bronzed shoes, or a personalized frame are all very nice but I always want my gift to stand out!

These Elongated 16-Tone Rattles by Harmony Ball Co. come in German silver and Gold 14K gold overlay - tres elegante! But add “intriguing” to this item just to wonder at the sound of a hand-tuned, sixteen tone rattle! It is said to have a mesmerizing and soothing sound that will charm and relax a new baby.

You can find the 16-tone Rattle by Harmony Ball at artebebe.com.  It’s priced at $75 (Silver), $125 (Gold features 14K gold overlay) and comes packaged in a velvet navy blue drawstring bag.

Simple, classic looking toys are making a big comeback these days. Almirose Designs makes a number of vintage-inspired rattles and other baby toys. I am particularly fond of the Bob rattle. Made out of bright red fabric, and classically-styled, this toy is very simple and sweet. He is 10 inches tall—a perfect size for little hands to grasp. I think this would make a wonderful shower gift for any hip mom to be. You can buy one for $27.95 at cute-ture.com.

If your style runs to clean lines and you are willing to spare no expense to entertain your baby, this Salvor Fauna rattle may be just the toy you are looking for. Crafted from German silver overlaid with shining hematite, this rattle is hand-tuned to produce 16 different soothing tones. Each rattle comes in a suede pouch and is designed to be a keepsake that can be treasured for many years. The rattle measures 5” x 1.75”. You can purchase one for $75 at estella-nyc.com. A barbell version is also available for $110.

They’re all-natural but are they all-dull as well? Sure, they’re free of plastic and lead paint, but I have to wonder how much delight can be found in sticks. It’s a kind of simplicity that is really beyond me, especially for $16.95. The appropriately named Natural Stick Rattle is filled with zinc and copper beads for rattling and sanded smooth enough for chewing on. Hand crafted and finished off with a coat of beeswax, these little wonders are made from wood in Oregon. Should you be interested in handing your child a stick and calling it a toy, you can buy one at peapods.com. If anything, it’s the most original gift you’ll see at any given baby shower!