HM birthday pressie for first birthday?

waterlilyann

We are on a SERIOUS economy drive at the mo and I have pretty much zero money to buy a birthday present for a first birthday!! I have about a week to think/make something fantastic :eek:

Please help! Any ideas would be great - I can be quite creative but have a mental block on this. Come to think of it, even if I had some money I wouldn't know what to buy !

I need some OS inspiration!!

bluenose1

Unfortunately I am not very creative but found this site were it gives you the templates to make a home made personalised book. I thought it seemed a lovely, personal keepsake for any child.
Good luck.
Anne

http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa111199.htm

fesdufun

How about a book/photo album? Children of this age love to look at faces of those they know.

Or a treasure basket. Fill a small basket with items made of natural stuff such as a pine cone, cotton spool (the wooden type), wooden spoon, rubber toy (pet shop good for this), metal ladle, metal tea strainer etc. etc. So many toys are made of plastic it is good to go back natural things. Children love taking items out of the basket and then putting them back it. Pick objects with care nothing too small and make sure the parents know to supervise child whilst playing.

A taggie is another good present. Just sew lots of labels on to a piece of fabric. Children love to feel them. See http://www.taggies.co.uk/ for ideas.

What about some sensory socks? Buy some baby/children's sock from a charity shop fill with different things and tie the end ups. Ideas for fillings - dried pasta, dried rice, polystrene balls, sand (secured in a plastic bag), crinkley paper, bells, small plastic balls plus anything else you can think off. Great for sensory play.

HTH good luck

greenpixey

I know how you feel. We were in the same situation last year. I did bake a homemade birthday cake, we did have a nice day out with a picnic and we feed the ducks. No gifts at all but we tried to make it special.
The only thing I regret is that we didn't have any film in the camera so I at least could take some photos of the day; otherwise I think we did well.
I’m sure you all will have a nice day in the end what ever you do :bdaycake:

fesdufun wrote:

A taggie is another good present. Just sew lots of labels on to a piece of fabric. Children love to feel them. See http://www.taggies.co.uk/ for ideas.

I do like this idea, it easy to do yourself if you got material. I will make one of these for my cousins. She is having a baby in Dec so thank you fesdufun for the tip.

waterlilyann

Thank you all - love the idea of a photo/picture book but we don't know her that well. It's so hard knowing what to give to a 1 year old you don't know very well!!

abbecer

You could look in some charity shops or second hand markets. Sometimes you can drop on lucky and find things that are brand new at a fraction of the real cost. Hope this helps.

Rebecca x :rotfl:

garret1

what about offering to take her out for a day. I'msure the parents would appreciate this too. you could make up something that resembles a voucher saying you will take her to the park or for a picnic etc.

carolt

If it's a girl, home-made doll's clothes/blankets/sheets (to fit standard size baby dolly) will be much appreciated - any scraps of material or old sheets cut up and hemmed to make dolls' cot size or clothes or knitted blankets, hats, scarves etc will be very appreciated - one is about the age they start playing with dolls. Our daughters were given some and use them all the time.

Not sure about boys.:rolleyes:

Penelope_Penguin

Hi, when my DD had her first Christmas (she wasn't quite 1) she was not at all interested in the huge pile of presents (not only was she first grandchild, she was also the first neice to 5 uncles and aunts). She spent all day playing with the wrapping paper. We even had to raise up the tree as she wanted to pull the paper of its pot, too.

She won't mind what you get, and won't remember anyway. However, her parents may appreciate a "voucher" for some of your time. They can then cash it in for a day or evening out.

I would have loved that when my children were small; much better than MORE garish plastic.

Penny. x