With families increasingly investing in personalised keepsakes and traditions that can be enjoyed year after year, Mamas & Papas has revealed its top 10 Christmas must-haves for 2026 – from a personalised advent calendar and Christmas sacks to baby’s first decorations and festive knitwear.
The leading nursery retailer has more than doubled the number of personalised clothing styles in this year’s collection and expanded the service across soft toys for the first time.
It comes as its bestselling advent calendar sold out before November last year and more than 90% of customers chose to personalise their Christmas sacks.
It reflects a growing appetite for products that become part of annual festive family rituals – whether that’s hanging the same decoration on the tree each year, sharing a Christmas Eve box together, or counting down to 25th December with a personalised advent calendar.
Mamas & Papas is also launching new gift boxes for the first time next month to make Christmas gifting even easier and more memorable for friends and family. Available in-store and online, shoppers can handpick their favourite gifts and have them wrapped in a hand-illustrated gift box, ready to place under the tree or send directly to loved ones’ doors. A gift-packing service will also be available to online and in-store shoppers throughout the festive season, adding an extra touch of magic to special gifts.
The full Christmas range launches in-store and online on Monday 5th October.
Sonia Kelly, Senior Product Director at Mamas & Papas, said: “We know Christmas is about so much more than gifts – it’s about the moments families share and the traditions children carry with them into adulthood. We’ve seen a real appetite for personalised keepsakes that become part of those annual rituals.
“That’s why we’ve made personalisation a much bigger focus across this year’s collection, giving families even more opportunities to create meaningful traditions and treasured keepsakes they’ll use year after year. After our personalised advent calendar sold out before November last year, we’re encouraging parents who have their eye on a particular item to shop early to avoid missing out.”
Mamas & Papas’ top 10 must-have items this Christmas are:
1. Start the countdown with the 2026 Christmas Advent Calendar – £30
For further details & image or sample requests contact mamasandpapas@citypress.co.uk or call 0161 235 0344
Back by popular
demand after selling out early last year, the personalised advent calendar has become one of Mamas & Papas’ bestselling festive keepsakes. Available to personalise with a child’s name, it’s designed to build excitement and to make lasting memories throughout December.
2. Make new friends with My First Christmas Soft Toys – £18 each
New for this year, Boris the Bear and Millie the Bunny are expected to be among this year’s most popular gifts. Dressed in adorable festive Christmas jumpers and available to personalise, they make a thoughtful keepsake gift that children will treasure long after the festive season has ended. Crafted in supersoft fabrics, they’re perfect for snuggles on Christmas morning and every day beyond.
3. Stock up on festive magic with the Christmas Sack – £30
The popular Christmas sack is available to personalise in multiple new designs this year, including Santa, Gingham and White. Whether placed by the fireplace or at the foot of the bed, it’s a keepsake that will be brought out year after year.
4. Celebrate milestones with Hanging Decorations – from £8
A beautiful addition to the collection designed for the whole family. Choose from ‘My First Christmas as a Mummy,’ ‘My First Christmas as a Daddy,’ or ‘My First Christmas’ for baby, with each a lovely way to create treasured tree decorations that come out year after year.
5. Make a wish with the Santa Letter Christmas Tree Decoration – £10
Inspired by the collection’s theme of storytelling and letter writing, this decoration is a wonderful addition to family Christmas traditions. Whether you’re writing your little one’s wish list to Father Christmas or tucking a heartfelt note inside, it’s a special piece designed as both a keepsake and a decoration.
6. Dress for the occasion in the Christmas Icons 2-Piece Knit Set – £39
Part of a larger selection of Christmas knitwear for 2026, this beautiful cardigan and knitted leggings set features hand-drawn festive icons in rich berry reds and warming cinnamon spice tones. Inspired by the collection’s storytelling theme, it’s the perfect outfit for family get-togethers, festive photos and cosy days at home.
7. Get cosy on Christmas Eve in the Large Gingham Check Christmas Pyjamas – £24
Tapping into the popularity of gingham print, these classic Christmas pyjamas are perfect for Christmas Eve traditions – whether that’s opening a Christmas Eve box, leaving out treats for Santa, or settling down with a festive story. Available in sizes from 3-6 months all the way through to 2-3 years, they can also be personalised for an extra special touch.
8. Boost the magic with the Christmas Eve Box – £25
A family favourite returning for 2026, the festive box is designed to hold special gifts for little ones to open ahead of Santa’s visit. The box can also be personalised, making it an even more meaningful tradition. Fill it with cosy pyjamas, a storybook, a cuddly toy or festive treats to create a pre-Christmas moment they’ll always remember.
9. Spread the magic with the Christmas Eve Plate – £15
A plate that has been especially designed for Santa’s visit, with etched areas to hold a carrot for Rudolph and some food and drink for Santa to help him on his way.
10. Celebrate their first with the My First Christmas Bauble – £15
A lovely addition to your festive décor, the ‘My First Christmas’ hand-painted glass bauble features ‘2026’ alongside beautiful Christmas character illustrations. Available in pink, blue or neutral, it comes in a matching keepsake box – perfect for bringing out year after year to remember that very first Christmas together.
As the UK’s leading nursery brand, Mamas & Papas offers a range of bestselling products from industry-leading own- brand pushchairs to clothing and furniture, with parents-to-be able to shop online, in-store or via the App.
Those shopping in-store can also make the most of its range of expert services, including the one-to-one ‘Buying for Baby’ personal shopping appointments, car seat consultations and fittings, and independent advice across
