Birthday gift for 1 year old?

[tigian]

The baby of my good friends turns one in a couple weeks. I won''t be able to attend his birthday party, but wanted to send something. Any suggestions for a one-year old? Should I send a gift certificate of some sort? Money? I would like to spend about $100. I don''t have children of my own so I''m totally clueless. TIA!

 

[VRBeauty]

Tigi -- I'm not a parent but I am an experience auntie. My first thought is is that $100 is pretty rich for a 1-year old. Board books and brightly colored toys and bathtub toys are great one-year old gifts... and things that make noise tend to be a hit with kids, if not their parents. Stuffed animals are also good, although most kids have more of those than the parents can stand. Most toys for kids this age will have an "age rating" of some sort on the packaging, since manufacturers want to keep things that the real little kids can choke on etc. out of the little ones' hands. There are several lines of "educational" toys for toddlers that seem to have pretty good age ratings guidelines.

I'd suggest you head on over to a good toy store and explore (and play!) a little bit! If you're intent on that spending level, consider a small something for the child and a gift certificate that the parents can use towards a stroller, pull-along wagon, push tricycle, or something else that would help make their lives easier too.

 

[Steel]

If the child is likely to have his material needs and whims catered for then I highly recommend you open a junior savings account in his name. Every year you can physically contribute to his future. He will love you when his Mom/you hands over the savings book and he realises you saved money for him - especially when the tricyles and soft bears are long recycled or handed down.

Afterthought - it is nice to spend $5-10 on a token physical gift. Books are the gifts that keep giving in my mind. Start his book collection off, you can add to that every year.

 

[Bia]

Bright books for baby, and clothes for baby (for mommy). I think anyway.

 

[VegasAngel]

$100? Not that it's coming from my pocket but that is a lot.

I like getting books for my daughter the most, she loves to read. Melissa & Doug puzzles are nice, clothes are always good. What about something like a personalized growth chart, stepstool etc?

 

[tigian]

Thank you for the recommendations. Since I''ve only seen him twice, I don''t know what kind of books or toys he already has. I know that he is incredibly spoiled by both sets of grandparents, being the only grandchild.
$100 just seemed like a good amount. I would be happier if I could spend less.

I think I will head to a children''s store and look for a book. I also think a growth chart sounds fun!

 

[Shoopy]

At 1, gifts are better if its something that can help out mommy more than something for the baby. I would recommend clothes (18 mo and up since he''s probably out of 12 mo and she probably has plenty anyway), some diapers, things like that. If you want to throw in a little toy for him, then I would get a development toy. If you go on Babies R Us website, they have a section called "moms favorites." It has a lot of great recommendations.

 

[HollyS]

The last one-year old I bought a B-day present for was completely in love with the Thomas Train set (tracks and moving train) that I got from a Kay-Bee Toy Store. He was ALL boy!

I didn''t see a mention of what sex the child is? Or did I miss it?

Books and learning toys are always right.