Rockabye Baby

Have yourself a merry lil Christmas without putting "Jingle Bells" on heavy rotation on the stereo. For everyone who wants to fill their homes with a little joy for their bundle of joy this time of the year there is Rockabye Baby: Christmas Rock Classics ($11). I'm already a big fan of the Rockabye Baby series, so I knew the holiday album would fit nicely in our family music collection. The lullaby renditions of less traditional holiday songs such as Smashing Pumpkins' "Christmastime" and "2000 Miles" from The Pretenders are a soothing way to calm your babe and make it a silent night.

Presents for new parents are usually geared toward mom and baby, but expectant dads shouldn't be left in the dark. Give the daddy-to-be a few gifts that will have him prepared and excited for the impending arrival.

• An expectant father is not always ready to give up his music collection for Baby Einstein and Barney. With the Rockabye Baby albums, he'll really be able to rock his lil one to sleep.
• When dad's on duty he's not going to be thrilled to take your Petunia Pickle bag to the park. The Diaper Dude looks like a messenger bag, but is equipped to carry bottles, diapers, and other baby essentials.
• Paternity leave doesn't hold a candle to maternity leave. When daddy is back at his desk dreaming of his bundle of joy, he'll love a digital photo frame to remind him of one of the reasons he's working so hard in the first place.

Welcome back, folks, to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Last week I tackled the adults in the family, and today I'm focusing on the budding pop culture nuts in your life.

I'll admit, I would have killed for these gifts as a kid, and I'd probably treasure them as an adult were I to receive them (what can I say? I'm a child at heart). Take, for example, this amazing service from FAO Schwarz to create your own Muppet! You can play around with the different combinations online or order a special gift kit. I bet any little puppet-loving child in your world would think it's a pretty spectacular gift.

Speaking of Muppets, I really think each generation should be exposed to Fraggle Rock, which is why this complete DVD series is so cool (um, I might buy it for myself). If that special little person in your life is a Pixar fanatic, then this DVD set is for them. Finally, for those musically inclined kiddos (and parents), check out the Rockabye Baby series in which you can find lullaby versions of songs by the Beatles, Coldplay, Metallica, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, the Cure, you name it. Now that's one hip baby.

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

We’ve all heard rumors that the music of Mozart and Bach helps stimulate a baby's brain. And sometimes waltzing to Requiem does help send baby to sleep. But, it's also a good time to introduce baby to some good ole' rock n' roll.

Rock the cradle of love to some sweet tunes from Rockabye Music ($17). The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Bob Marley, and Coldplay are just some of the bands whose music has been converted into soothing lullaby renditions.