Present Suggestions for a 1 Year Old

[trekkiebaggio]

My friend's daughter turns one in a couple of weeks and I'm not sure what to get her. I asked him if there's anything he and his girlfriend particularly want for the baby but he didn't have any suggestions. I don't want to get her clothes because she'll grow out of them quickly (learnt that lesson after buying my sister's godson Spider-Man pajamas for Christmas) and she'll probably be swamped with toys.

Anyone have any ideas? I'd quite like to get something that's useful for the parents as well, as the baby won't really remember it, or something that has significance so when she's older she can appreciate it.

 

[Pingfah]

You could get them a nice toy chest to keep all the toys they will be given in.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I crocheted a blanket for my boyfriend's nephew. We also got him an educational toy.

 

[Kestra]

My nephew just turned one and I struggled a bit as well. Some suggestions I got were some sort of blocks/easy puzzles that can be stored easily and in a compact manner. Musical toys, as my nephew is particularly musical but I think all babies like sounds at that age.

I ended up getting him an Elmo puppet because he's nuts about Elmo, and this really simple, easy to hold plastic car. The big present was a custom-made board book called "Who loves _______ ?" with pictures inside of his relatives. Like "Aunt Kestra loves _______."

He loved all the presents and actually can recognize people in the book and turn the pages himself. But I went all out because, well, he's my nephew.

Anyway if she's interested in books, you might look for a good board book with pages she can turn herself. I like the idea someone suggested above of a toy chest or some sort of storage, maybe with a toy to go along.

 

[auntiehill]

I usually bought soft fleece blankets with the child's name embroidered on it. My twin nieces kept theirs for years and years.

Also, those stuffed animals that are part blanket, part plush bunny (or bear, or whatever)---those were also a big hit. Anything they can snuggle and cuddle with (and is machine washable!).

 

[Amaris]

Plastic bowl, wooden spoons, and no, I'm not kidding. Babies love that stuff. Of course, I guess as a present you'd want it to be something a little more fancy, so I'd suggest those plastic keys. Kids love those, too.

 

[Sephiroth]

something big, colorful and insanely noisy

 

[trekkiebaggio]

Thanks for the suggestions. She does like books, and the plastic stuff sounds like it could be a good idea. She loves playing with keys.

I asked the mother yesterday and she said I should try to find a pen that's suitable for a baby, or something for her to write with.

 

[SmoothieX]

A nice single malt, 15 year old bottle of scotch.

 

[Balrog]

Make sure whatever you get that it comes in big cardboard box. Guaranteed to entertain a one year old for hours.

 

[Trekker4747]

Make sure whatever you get that it comes in big cardboard box. Guaranteed to entertain a one year old for hours.

Sort of what I was going to say. Get him a cardboard box, it'll be the best toy he ever had.

 

[ed629]

Gift cards?

 

[Mary Ann]

Plastic bowl, wooden spoons, and no, I'm not kidding. Babies love that stuff. Of course, I guess as a present you'd want it to be something a little more fancy, so I'd suggest those plastic keys. Kids love those, too.

[puts on Early Years professional hat] J's absolutely right. The big theme in early years right now is heuristic play, which is the encouragement of play among older babies and toddlers with objects which are not purpose-built toys. It builds on the idea of how much children love to play with boxes, for example. For babies who can grab, the family centre where I worked had a lot of "treasure baskets", which are simply wicker baskets with wooden spoons, measuring spoons, loofahs, soft facecloths, those cat toy balls with bells in them, wooden or metal egg cups, and so on. The point is that little or none of it is in garish colours; the focus is on the child exploring shape and texture.

If putting together a treasure basket sounds a bit much (and I wouldn't blame you!) I'd suggest simple wooden blocks, Lego Duplo, stickle bricks, or other such creative toys which help develop finer motor skills and stimulate spacial thought and imagination.

Can you tell I'm way too much into this? [finally shuts up]

 

[trekkiebaggio]

^No that's good! I was thinking of trying to do something thoughtful as well, they've had a pretty tough year and there's been some drama recently (that they're still in the middle of) and they're very stressed at the moment. So ideally I want to get something special so it'll cheer them up as well, anything that aids the baby's development is great.

I was thinking of doing like a scrapbook or poster or something of the first year of her life, like what major events happened in the world, and that could be carried on. Obviously she wouldn't be able to appreciate that at the moment.

Another thing is something Jadzia Dax related, as Dax is her middle name.

 

[MANT!]

A 1 year old girl..

A rag doll..simple and if it's one she really likes..it'll remain in her memories as long as she lives..

I was 10 when my youngest sister was born, I gave her a Raggedy Ann doll, she slept with it until she was 11..And she still has it in her memory box...

 

[Captain_Nick]

I know you said you didn't want to buy clothes, but think about it - the kid will be too young to resent you not buying them toys. You won't be that lucky next year.

 

[TJinLOCA]

If you decide to go with clothing, I suggest this.

 

[Kirby]

I don't want to get her clothes because she'll grow out of them quickly (learnt that lesson after buying my sister's godson Spider-Man pajamas for Christmas)

The kid is turning one, so whatever you give her she will outgrow quickly, either physically or developmentally. You may get lucky and get her a stuffed animal or blanket or something that she bonds with for life but chances are you won't.

Having been through this with my own kids (10 and 3) I will tell you that the parents will appreciate clothes more than anything else, and at that age kid won't know or care about anything that was given to her.

Books are another good option.

 

[trekkiebaggio]

If you decide to go with clothing, I suggest this.

Oh my God I HAVE to get that. I hope it's available over here!

 

[propita]

It appears that you like the parents, so stay away from noisy things, like drums and those cobbler sets. Get t hose for parents you’re not fond of, like siblings.

You can always get a share of stock, depending on the company and price. Framed and all, some can be like art.

When we buy clothes for ones that young, we get a few outfits, something for every few months of age. That way, as they grow, the parents have at least ONE outfit that fits. Oh, and an inexpensive toy for the child. Something soft or on a leash that will attach to their stroller so it doesn’t get lost.