Gift for a baby's first birthday - any ideas?

alyth

I'm hoping to pick the brains of those with children!

I have a brother who's child is 1 very soon. I'm not close to my brother at all, I've seen the child once (he lives down south, I live in Scotland) and I'm not into children. However, I feel I should get the child a decent present, but haven't a clue what to get - the other problem is that it will have to be posted! I had thought of clothes, but it seems a bit impersonal, and I guess I am the child's aunt despite not being a maternal person so I've been racking my brains trying to think of something nice to send her - but to no avail!

What nice presents have people given your children, I'd like something to be personal from me, but as I say I've seen her once, I rarely speak to my brother but feel I ought to make an effort and do something nice! Any ideas would be appreciated, and if anyone can suggest something as a christening gift as well which is also in a couple of months' time that would be good!

Mrs_B_12

If you really aren't that close it's going to be hard to send anything without asking. A voucher is the first thing that springs to mind if you have to post, that way you will also give them something useful. I know it's boring but depending on how much you want to spend you could get them from a couple of different shops where they could be spent on either toys or clothes etc. Maybe some from Next and some from ELC?

Lurleene

A special book will usually go down a treat - doesn't take up too much space and easy to post too! At this age you could get a book aimed at slightly older children in the knowledge that baby is unlikely to already have it, yet Mum or Dad could still enjoy sharing it with baby.

My favourites for reading with the kiddies have always been Kipper books by Mick Inkpen, but I would also recommend A Very Noisy Night - it is illustrated beautifully and is so much fun to read. If you look on The Book People's website you can also find multipacks of books for £10 aimed at little ones , which would cost a fortune at any high street shop.

HTH.

alyth

I really don't want to send a voucher as according to my mother, it will be spent in Next by my brother's wife for herself (can you tell we're not a close family!). Lurleene, thanks so much for the recommendation of the book, I'm fanatical about books, not sure whether my brother is, but I know that if I stood in Waterstone's I'd be like an idiot not knowing which book to choose that's suitable for a 1 year old, so I'll go and look on Book people now, as I'm sure they would be able to deliver directly to my brother - cheers, I really appreciate it!

the_other_mce

What about a crystal ornament? Argos do some nice 'angel' type ones. I actually got one for my niece when she was a baby - parents liked it at the time and niece loves it now. Girls always like crystals (speaking as the parent of two girls...!!!). Plus it will last forever..... Mind you I'm probably biased as I've always liked crystals since I read Pollyanna .....!!!!

shaileytuff

how about ordering something online to be delivered to their address
my dd2 turned 1 in november and some great bits to get are:
snail rocker from ELC
Whizz around garage ELC
Happy land train set ELC
Baby annabelle and pushchair (ELC)

she loves these toys they give her hours of pleasure (and me peace!!!)

Yox_2

I have just had my niece's first birthday too! I bought a huge Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle) with a soft toy caterpillar which fits through the pages. I would just go to a bookshop and see what you like or look online. As for the christening gift, there are some very simple bibles with lovely pictures or a friend bought a tiny silver box for keeping the child's milk teeth in. It was very cute.
All the best!

Lurleene

Glad to help - I don't think you get A Very Noisy Night on that site, but you can always find it in Waterstones etc. I would really recommend this one on the BP site:-

Children's Favourites Picture Books - 10 in Ziplock Bag
Various
Age Range: 1 +

This diverse range of children's books is brought to you by some of today's most talented authors and illustrators.

Just bought it myself for a 1st birthday and the books are lovely. I truly believe that a love of books is the greatest gift you can give a child!:cheesy:

ruthyjo

I'm not sure what your budget is but we've had extremely good value from a wheely bug:

http://www.twoleftfeet.co.uk/acatalog/Wheely_Bugs.html

You'd need a small one for a one year old - they are nice quality. It will get used loads and loads and still be nice enough to store for any brothers/sisters that come along or even for his own children.

They look expensive but I've given them to people before and everyone raves once they've got them.

They are available from loads of online retailers and can sometimes be picked up for a bit less on ebay.

mountainofdebt

Well depending on how much you wanted to spend I would be tempted to get a children's bond from the national savings people - has the advantage of NS sending it to your niece, and send a small toy/book through the post

cats_whiskers

Hi

How about a set of British decimal coins from the year she was born. You can usually get them in a gift wallet or frame.

The way technology is moving they could be something of a novelty by the time she is 21, by then who knows if any coins will even exist.:eek:

Just a thought
Cats: