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

Lillibet_2

My usual plea whenever advice about christening gifts is sought : please avoid anything silver and/or engraved. These kind of tacky shelf fillers are a waste of space & money, no parent wants them around & children hardly ever grow up to appreciate them. I think an ideal christening gift is a charitable donation, totaly in the spirit of chirstianity & valuable in the lesson it teaches the child & to the receiver in whatever form. Alternativley, how about purchasing an acre of rainforest from the world land trust or sponsoring an animal from the WWF & getting a matching cuddly animal? If you really really want to give an actual physical gift, how about a nice copy of a childs version of an adult book? There are some lovely childrens versions of Shakespear & Dickins, or how about a chidlrens classic like Wind in the Willows or something special you read & rememebr from your childhood?

My son is 19 months, for his 1st brithday best gifts were books, which he is very very into now, or garden toys to enjoy in the summer.

HTH;)

kr15snw

For my boyfriends neices 1st birthday we bought her an activity cube. Ive always thought that for a childs birthday / christmas they should recieve something they will enjoy! You wouldnt give many older children an outfit, as theyd feel a bit let down.

But hey this is just me! Books are also very good

alyth

brilliant suggestions, thank you all so much! I've just spoken to my brother, and thankfully they're reading to her already, so books are definately the option! Yox, I read the Hungry Caterpiller in Tesco today, and nearly bought it for us, but apparently she's got it! Brought back memories for me as well!

daisykate124

Books are a brilliant idea for a 1 year old, I borrowed a book from the library called First picture action rhymes

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/074607154X/sr=1-1/qid=1173569018/ref=olp_product_details/203-3621831-1863113?ie=UTF8&qid=1173569018&sr=1-1&seller=

my daughter and i love it so much so im going to order it for her. The book has 12 action rhymes and songs and has lovely pictures inside.

shirlgirl2004

On the Christening note I just wanted to add that I apprecaited the silver gifts that were bought for my DD because they are traditional gifts. DD's favourite one was a silver musical toy sorry I'm not describing it well but I've got pregnancy brain!

The other gifts that I really enjoyed were the children's bible type books. A couple of the books she was given had lift the flaps pages and DD loves them now she's 2 1/2.

The gifts that weren't appreciated were those that had no traditional or religious significance it suggests that those people thought we had our DD Baptised for the party rather than the religious significance.

loopylass

what about getting a book where the childs name is in it i have seen them for christmas and birthdays and children love to think they have their name in a book
http://www.itsyourstory.co.uk/(kygcg455jhlyh055tttkhc45)/Category_Books.aspx?id=1&catName=Other&Title=Books%20For%201%20Year%20Olds

vickyj

failing that maybe a studio voucher for a photo sitting we charge about £45 for these and i am sure that there willl be a local studio who will post it out for you FOC

Red_Panda_2

My son got a cd of nursery rhymes for his first birthday with his name on, the nursery rhymes were changed to include his name which I thought was lovely, and something to keep.
He also got the pack of books from the book people as mentioned above, these are great as he loves flipping pages of books and being read to.

alyth

Again, thanks for the suggestions - I loved the coin idea cats, and my brother is obsessed with monkeys and is teaching the child all about them, so will investigate the adoption idea as well. Hadn't thought of the studio idea, but will look into that for them as well. Whew, thank god for all of you, I was really starting to panic over this, not having nor knowing any children I wouldn't have a clue where to even start buying things for kids!

flowerofthewest

Just thought I'd add to this. I'm also not at all maternal - don't have children but have neice and nephew and am soon to be a God mother.
For my Goddaughter's first birthday I bought a Doulton Images figure with the intention of adding to it as she grows up - they have lovely figures that are for specific ocassions as well as general. For her first birthday I bought "sleepy head" and for her Christening nex month I have got her "AMEN".

I may be biased on this as I would have loved to reach 21 (or 18) and have had a collection of beautiful pieces. Have tried to find one with her name but there isn't one (yet)

Hope you find something for your niece.