O/s gifts for life

VfM4meplse

Our LO is approaching her first birthday and I'm wondering how to mark the day in a way that she will be able to look back on, ideally something she will keep for life and can be engraved / marked with a message. I think I'll probably need to do the same for the next 3 birthdays, thereafter I'll treat her to experiences she'll enjoy and possibly remember rather than material gifts.

Any ideas? I've ruled out jewelery, photo compilations and trinkets, but am veering towards something that imparts wisdom that she can look back on for the rest of her life. Other than writing her a letter, I can't think what, though

Not posting this on the Moneysaving Mums / Dads boards as I think the response from OSers will be more to my liking. Looking forward to your suggestions.

mrs_motivated

How about a 'your first birthday box' with things like a newspaper, a recording of what song was number one, a shopping list bill, a news recording, pictures of fashion, latest technology, photographs, a letter and what you all did on her birthday etc....I'm sure when she grows up that will be really interesting.

greenbee

A money box to encourage saving from an early age

How about a photograph frame? I know you said not photo compilations, but maybe your favourite picture from her first year, and then pick one and frame it in each subsequent year.

charlies-aunt

A wooden hinged box with a lock & key - maybe with compartments inside - could be personalised by carving or painting. Ideal for storing all small special things and important documents

pollyanna_26

How about starting an old style thick book of living skills , how to cook her favourite meals , little tips , advice and little snippets of her growing up years . That way when she flies the nest Mum and home will go with her ,
polly

NewShadow

I like the idea of the memory box - If you got one of those merchant chests (with the lots of little draws) you could add something every year. When she's older you could ask her to write a letter to herself about the last year/ most memorable thing - which could then go in a draw.

Might I also suggest you consider keeping some small pieces of fabric of yours/hers?

Now she's retired my mum is starting to root round for things to make into a memory quilt, but she was quite 'in the moment' in the way she lived her life and threw away most of my/her stuff, meaning I've lots of things from uni/post uni to contribute, but we've nothing from growing up or the family home.

[Deleted User]

Would you like the idea of planting a tree for her in a specific piece of woodland ? she could watch it grow as the years pass and mark her own life special times with a visit to see how big it's become. My girls would have loved something like this.

VfM4meplse

greenbee wrote: »

A money box to encourage saving from an early age

Very sore subject I'm afraid (for reasons I won't go into).

charlies-aunt wrote: »

A wooden hinged box with a lock & key - maybe with compartments inside - could be personalised by carving or painting.

I love this idea! I am going to go with this as well, but use it as a box for sealed birthday letters and hand it over when she is 18.

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Would you like the idea of planting a tree for her in a specific piece of woodland ? she could watch it grow as the years pass and mark her own life special times with a visit to see how big it's become. My girls would have loved something like this.

Another great idea

Keep them coming!

Islandmaid

Any chance you could sponsor a child on their behalf - be nice for them to 'grow' together

Poppy9

My DD had a teddy given to her on her 1st birthday and 20 years later, while she (she being the bear) is balder and going blind in one eye she's a constant in DD life. May sound strange but we all have memories attached to this bear as DD has loved her since day one and we have so many lovely photos of them together. Whenever DD has a new baby cousin she buys them a teddy bear hoping they will love the bear as much as she loves hers.

Andypandyboy

A friend in Australia set up an email account for her child at birth and she sends emails and pctures to it regularly, as do other close relatives. She plans to hand it over to him when he is 18. It will contain lots of memories by then. I think that is a great idea.