In short: Choose a Done by Deer Christmas gift by age. Up to 3 months, contrast cards and soft toys to look at work best; from 3 to 12 months, sensory toys for grasping and exploring; after the first birthday, toys for moving and stacking; between 2 and 3 years, pretend-play toys and tableware for eating alone.
Author: Eva Birsa, mum and co-founder of Evitas · Updated: 5 October 2026
The Danish brand Done by Deer is known for its Deer friends – Elphee the elephant, Raffi the giraffe, Croco the crocodile and others – who accompany children from their first toys to their first dinner set. This guide is organised by age, so you can quickly find a gift that matches a child's development. If you are looking for a wider choice of gifts across brands and budgets, read our article Christmas gifts for toddlers: ideas by age and budget. Why we love the brand so much is explained in Why moms love Done by Deer.
Done by Deer gifts by age – overview
| Age | What interests the child | Type of gift | Example product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | looking at contrasts, faces, sounds | contrast cards, soft toy | Contrasting cards Deer friends |
| 3–6 months | grasping, touching, tummy time | sensory ring, mirror | Sensory activity ring Happy clouds |
| 6–12 months | hiding and finding, cause and effect | activity toy | Hide & Seek activity toy Clucky |
| 1–2 years | first steps, stacking, knocking down | pull-along toy, stacking cubes | Pull-along toy 2-in-1 Elphee |
| 2–3 years | pretend play, puzzles, independence | wooden farm, puzzle, dinner set | Tiny Farm play set Dotti |
| all ages | a little surprise | stocking filler or Advent calendar gift | Rattle socks |
0–3 months: gifts for looking
Newborns see strong contrasts best, so black-and-white and softly coloured cards make a simple but useful gift. According to the product description, the Deer friends contrasting cards are a set of 10 cards made of sturdy cardboard (11 x 11 cm), suitable from birth – for tummy time, nappy changes or as a visual element. The cards are not meant for chewing and should be used under adult supervision.
3–6 months: gifts for grasping and tummy time
Once a baby starts grasping, toys with different textures and sounds are welcome. The Happy clouds sensory activity ring combines Ozzo the wooden bird, a cloud-shaped silicone teether and a rattle; the manufacturer recommends it from 3 months (3m+) and states compliance with the EN 71 toy standard.
For tummy time, the Pigee activity floor mirror is practical, with an adjustable tilt angle, a rattle and crinkly elements.
6–12 months: gifts for exploring
In the second half of the first year, children love hiding and finding – they learn that an object still exists when they cannot see it. That is exactly the idea behind the Hide & Seek activity toy Clucky: a soft hen that is easy to grab and squeeze, with different shapes and textures.
1–2 years: gifts for first steps
Once children start walking, they love toys that follow them. The 2-in-1 pull-along toy Elphee is an elephant on a cart with soft wheels that are gentle on floors; magnets in its feet keep it on the cart, and it can be lifted off and used as a soft toy. For stacking, knocking down and counting, try the Deer Friends stacking cubes – 5 nesting cubes made of laminated cardboard, recommended age 12+ months. If the first birthday falls close to the holidays, our guide First birthday gift ideas may also help.
2–3 years: gifts for imagination and independence
Between 2 and 3, toddlers love telling stories and copying adults. The Tiny Farm play set Dotti is made of responsibly sourced wood with water-based paint, recommended age 24m+. For first puzzles, the Tiny Farm first jigsaw puzzle set contains 6 two-piece puzzles made of thick cardboard (from 2 years).
A practical gift for the table is the Foodie dinner set with a 360° cup: the dishes have suction bases, the 360° cup lets children drink from any side, and the set is dishwasher and microwave safe.
Stocking fillers and Advent calendar gifts
For a Christmas stocking or an Advent calendar for toddlers, choose small but useful things:
- Rattle socks – each sock has a built-in rattle that makes a gentle sound when baby kicks; machine washable at 40 °C.
- Teether Sheepy – made of food-grade silicone, suitable from birth (0+), and can be chilled in the fridge.
- Contrasting cards – a flat set that slips easily into a stocking.
A soft friend for a first Christmas
If you want a gift that is already beautifully packed, choose the Elphee Cuddle Bestie gift set: a soft elephant with a bead-filled pouch in its lower part, in gift packaging and, according to the product description, suitable from birth. You will find the full range in our Done by Deer collection.
Safety when choosing toys
- CE marking and age: in the EU, toys must carry the CE marking. Always read the age recommendation and warnings on the packaging – toys with small parts are not suitable for children under 3.
- Toys don't belong in the cot: The Lullaby Trust advises keeping the cot clear during sleep – no soft toys or comforters. This applies especially in the first year, so keep soft toys for play and cuddles during the day.
- Supervision: use cards, teethers and pull-along toys under adult supervision and discard them if damaged.
Frequently asked questions
Which Done by Deer gift is suitable for a newborn?
For the first weeks, the Deer friends contrasting cards (suitable from birth according to the product description) and the Elphee gift set, a soft toy in gift packaging, are good choices.
What should I give a 6-month-old baby?
At this age, sensory toys for grasping and exploring are a good choice, such as the Happy clouds sensory ring (3m+) or the Hide & Seek activity toy Clucky.
What is a good Christmas gift for a one-year-old?
One-year-olds love walking, pulling and stacking, so the Elphee pull-along toy and the Deer Friends stacking cubes (12+ months) are good options.
Are Done by Deer toys safe?
Done by Deer states on its website that all its toys comply with the European toy standard EN 71. Whatever the brand, always check the age label and warnings on the packaging.
Can a soft toy sleep in the cot with my baby?
No. Safer sleep guidance (The Lullaby Trust) recommends a clear cot without soft toys, especially in the first year. Keep the toy for play and cuddles while your child is awake.
Sources
- Done by Deer: official website
- Done by Deer: Safe for kids (safety and testing, EN 71)
- European Commission: Toy safety (EU rules and CE marking)
- The Lullaby Trust: Keeping a clear cot
