First Birthday Gift Ideas - Maple Shade, NJ

I bought my daughter the Baby Gymtastics Wall. It was a lot of fun and my kids used it for almost 3 years before they outgrew it. Here is a photo. I paid about $35 for it. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3933932

For my son, I bought a small sports set. It was a toddler sized 3-in-1 basketball/baseball/golf set. Again, it was very entertaining for the kids.

Other presents that stick out in my mind include a ball pit, a share of Disney stock from onestock.com, cardboard nesting blocks, a ball popper table, and instrument set.

the best toys ever created
1= the classic red, yellow shopping cart [ boy/girl loves it ] doubles as a toy hider [ chuckle]
a beautiful potty/ bottle doll to go in it
2= a wagon [ plastic]
that is it .
if you already have them ... open a bank acct ... what does she know .. she is one .. let her play w/ the toys all over every room in the house !

For my daughter's 1st, we just got her one of those personalized stuffed animals at Build-A-Bear. We made her a bunny dressed in a purple ballerina outfit (which ended up being her favorite color!). She has it on her bookshelf.

D., I BET she likes music! Why not give her a number of child-safe instruments, like maracas, a beautiful drum, jingle bands, and other great stuff. I have a website that specializes in all things musical for kids: http://www.littlelovees.com. I was an early childhood educator for 20 years, and later was an early childhood music teacher for a renowned national music program.
On my website I have colorful buckets full of instruments, check them out!
B.

I'm probably not the best person to answer this, because I am frugal, and I also don't want to have a house full of toys... so I barely get my daughters anything for their birthday... especially not their 1st, when they don't even know! I make a list of toys I know they would enjoy, and suggest them to others who ask, since they'll be getting them something anyway. :-D

anyway, back to your question... megabloks are always fun... or maybe a new set of legos? she's not technically old enough for the duplos, but I saw the cutest circus set... you can probably get it from amazon.com. I might look for it for my almost 3 year old's birthday. Bath toys are good, since they don't last forever anyway... I have a Pooh's bubble tree house bath toy that both my girls have loved for over a year now! we also love the sesame street bath finger paints!

We didn't specifically buy our 1 year old a present. We knew he really didn't need anything, and would be getting gifts from other family member. We took his older brother to the store and let him pick a small toy (in this case a bathtub toy). When he's older and understands more, we won't be able to get away with that!

I would put money away for college. We did not buy either of my son's first birthday presents b/c they had everything they needed and more. They are now 5 and 7 and their birthday party is the gift they get from us. They get tons of presents from family, friends, at their parties and it allows them to pick something "big," like renting a moon bounc or going to somewhere (roller rink, etc) for their birthday party. I want my boys to learn that having a party is special - and costs money. As they get older they will be able to choose between a big party or a big gift, but not both. I want them to learn to make choices about spending money so they become financially responsible as they grow up.

a step stool or her own chair with her name on it? Does she have her own toy box? Does she like to dress up? I have seen some really cute dress up boxes out now with different clothes in it. Just some thoughts. Have fun!!

Swimming pool w/shade visor & pool toys? Sand box and sand toys?

how about a "photo album" that is just for her. Maybe her siblings can help. Make copies of her family members (grandparents, aunts & uncles too, & herself) and any other things she likes, like a favorite toy, or animal, even her bedroom & put it in her own book that she can turn the pages. (you can even label the pictures too for later or to help her siblings "read it" with her).

Someone did this for my son & he loved it & still has it at age 8! The pictures aren't great and the pages are a little torn but he still likes to look at it.

You could also donate to an organization in her name & then give her a framed picture to remember. We adopted a zoo animal for one of our kids before and then gave them a picture.

Good luck!

I would go with something personalized. A chair or stool maybe. Something that she will know when she gets older it was just hers and not a handmedown. I =have 2 and its hard because I have everything from my first daughter, so what do you get the second daughter? I'm lucky so far she loves that some of her things used to be her sisters, we will see what happens when she gets older!

Good Luck.

Hi D.,

For my sons first birhtday we planted a tree in our yard. It was already about a foot tall and everytime we pass it I am reminded about his birth and am so happy we got it. My son is now 3 years old and is so proud of his tree, he shows everyone. It will grow along with him as he gets older. We have also taken a picture of him next to his tree at each age, (age1, 2, and 3) so we can see his growth. Good luck!

L.

I love your Daughter's name, so pretty.

I actually have meant to post this same question for my nephew. He is turning two and has two older siblings. Their family has every toy ever made. I want his birthday to be special but i can't bring myself to buy them duplicates of something they already have. So now i don't know what to get. My MIL gives a box of clothes and a savings bond, but that doesn't help you or me.

I think i might go with some sort of furniture or something to decorate Erynn's room. Like a princess storage shelf for her toys, or like another poster said a stool with her name on it, or a little table to sit and draw at. You know, not necessarily a toy. You can order personalized pillowcases on the internet. Maybe a special book. It doesn't seem like manufactures are coming out with awesome new must by toys.
i hope her celebration is wonderful no matter what she ends up opening.