Unusual German Baby Gifts

• There are a number of German gifts you can buy or make to celebrate a newborn baby. small german wooden nut cracker doll image by isatori from Fotolia.com

  In Germany, when a baby girl is born, it is traditional to plant two trees and then fell them and use the proceeds to buy the girl's wedding dress when she is older and ready to marry. The tree-planting ceremonies are less popular now, but Germans carry special traditions, and there are a number of traditional German baby gifts that would delight any new mother and father.

Steiff Teddy Bears

• The Steiff Teddy Bear Company produced its very first toy in the 1900s, and has remained popular ever since. Steiff is known for the quality of its teddy bears, and some of the earliest bears sell for thousands of dollars. As of November 2010, a new Steiff teddy ranges in price from $45-$999, and there is a large range from which to choose.

Lederhosen, Tracht and Dirndls.

• Traditional German dress plays a large role in German culture during the Oktoberfest season; a festival that runs from late September through early October in Munich. Traditional clothing is available in a variety of sizes and most retailers provide a childrenswear selection. A baby's first Oktoberfest outfit is quite an important landmark in the German culture. There is a big difference between 'Tracht,' which is traditional national dress, and 'lederhosen' and 'dirndls,' which are traditional working class work wear. The Tracht is usually very expensive, tailored specifically for the wearer, and made up of only natural materials; the work wear is far more readily available and produced off the shelf in modern fabrics for events such as Oktoberfest.

The Bobbycar

• A Bobbycar is a famous German toy car, made of a durable plastic material. The car is red, and can be ridden around playrooms without causing damage to carpets or upholstery. The car is usually given to children over the age of 2, but makes a wonderful focal point in any playroom and would make a delightful gift. More than 7 million Bobbycars have been sold since the "Big" Company began manufacturing them in 1972. Thus, the Bobbycar is something of a German institution.

Zapf and Hummel Dolls

• Germany is famous for its toymaking, and the Zapf and Hummel dolls are well-known German dollmaker brands. The Zapf company is perhaps best known for the 'Born Doll,' a plastic doll that imitates a real baby by needing to be fed and changed. The toy comes with its own feeding bottle and nappies, and was a huge commercial success. Zapf also produce a doll that mimics a baby's facial movements. The Hummel dolls are far more traditional in nature, and have been on the market since the 1950s. Hummel dolls have a vinyl base and are usually produced wearing traditional German clothing.

Playmobil

• Most children have a Playmobil item in their toy collection; it is the German equivalent of Lego and has been sold worldwide since 1975. The Playmobil Company has produced a number of "bespoke" Playmobil collections specifically for airlines, and these collections frequently become collectors' items due to their limited editions. Playmobil is an investment for a child, since the figures will last for years and the collection can easily be built upon. Since the Playmobil collection involves small parts, it may be better to purchase a gift card and let the parents decide what to purchase; larger versions such as dragon figurines are available.