As the Christmas season approaches, many parents are looking for ideal gift ideas for babies and toddlers which find that rare balance between fun and practicality.
Stylish kids shoes can be the perfect choice for Christmas gifts, as they’re a useful purchase which can be used daily and, for many children, they’re an excellent way to express personality and show off their unique style.
Practical vs fun gifts for children
Some footwear gifts sit more on the practical side. For example, kids' school shoes are a useful choice to kill two birds with one stone: associate the excitement of Christmas with the return to school whilst covering the necessary investment into school shoes.
Another practical option are barefoot kids shoes, which combine a range of foot health and development benefits into modern footwear. Learn more about this range through our barefoot shoes guide.
Alternatively, you might consider some stylish first walker options, our podiatrist-approved shoes which sit in the middle of practical and stylish, combining both factors for well-balanced shoes; cool and comfortable.
Could barefoot shoes be a good gift for babies and toddlers?
Barefoot shoes double as an exciting and practical gift for babies and toddlers. They support natural muscle and balance development whilst looking fashionable and boosting confidence in walking. On top of this, barefoot shoes emphasise comfort and wearability, familiarising young children with footwear and teaching them to be comfortable in them. They provide a number of benefits for babies and toddlers:
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Natural movement - Flexible soles allow small foot bones and ligaments to move and develop unrestricted.
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Comfort - Wider toe boxes and soft materials allow for maximum comfort, whilst more traditional kids shoes can be uncomfortable and restrictive.
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Better balance - Increased sensory feedback from flexible soles encourages improved balance for children.
Discover more about the benefits of barefoot kids shoes through our dedicated blog.
Types of footwear suitable for babies and toddlers
There are a few different types of footwear suitable for babies and toddlers, each which can serve a different purpose regarding growth, comfort and development:
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Pram shoes - Pram shoes are designed to protect little feet from the elements in style. They’re made to support all the small shuffles and wobbles as kids embark on their journey towards first steps.
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First walkers - First walkers are podiatrist-approved shoes built to incorporate some of the features important for supporting early steps.
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Barefoot shoes - A slight alternative to first walkers, this range emulates a real ‘barefoot’ feel, with all the associated benefits.
Our top picks for footwear gifts for babies and toddlers
Ready to shop? Here's our pick of the best footwear gifts this Christmas, covering everything from their very first pram shoes to their first day of school.
For babies who aren't on their feet just yet, the Zora Rose Gold Metallic Soft Sole T-Bar is a pearl leather pram shoe with a rose gold shimmer, perfect for looking the part on Christmas Day. If you'd rather keep things a little more practical, the Alba Mushroom Suede Soft Sole Bootie is a neutral suede bootie with a soft, flexible sole and cotton lace fastening, ideal for everyday wear on newborn feet.
Once they're finding their feet, our first walker range has something for both ends of the practical and fun spectrum. The Atlas Tan Leather First Walker Shoe is a podiatrist approved T-bar shoe with a soft leather upper and flexible sole, built to support those first wobbly steps while looking smart enough for any party. For something with a bit more sparkle, the Rocket Pink Sparkle Suede First Walker Trainer combines all the flexibility first walkers need with a festive finish for party season.
Looking further ahead, our barefoot school shoe range makes a great gift for confident toddlers on their way towards pre-school. The Kai Black Leather Pre-School Barefoot School Shoe is a classic style with an easy elastic lace and single strap fastening, giving growing feet all the natural development benefits while getting them ready for their first term. The Ash Black Leather Pre-School Barefoot School Shoe offers a more traditional look with a secure double strap fastening, proof that uniform ready doesn't have to mean compromising on foot health.
Whichever stage they're at, you can browse the full collection to find the perfect fit this Christmas.
