Baby's First Birthday

[Fairy Mom]

Help, I'm invited to a baby's first birthday party and I don't know what to buy for the baby. My friend is also pregnant with her third baby. My budget is under $25. The baby is a boy. He has a 6 year old sister.

Please advise. My only daughter is turning twelve next week. It has been a while for me...

TIA!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Books! You won't get a lot for $25, But they are a great gift and most mom's I know really love getting them.

 

[All American]

I gave my sister a see through/carry tote full of Hot Wheels. He might be a *little* young for them, but in a few months, he'll love them! You could also give the movie "Cars" with a Lightening McQueen and Mater or something. Also, trains, trains, trains! You could get a couple of Thomas Trains for 25 or, I think at Target, I have seen a Thomas Starter set for ab out $25.00. It has a round track and Thomas included.

 

[candielips]

I second the books idea. My DD always gets a ton of toys at holidays and very rarely does she get books, but when she does, I appreciate it.
Head to your local book store or used book store and check out the sale rack. Children are not fussy about books.
Maybe you could find a couple with a similiar theme such as trains and then buy a small toy train to go with the books.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Books are great. Balls, blocks, a simple ride on toy are also good.

Hot Wheels are ages 3 & up for choking warnings.

If he will get lots of toys, maybe a savings bond for 25.00/ Kids that age get overwelmed with so much stuff anyway.

Maybe think ahead to a summer toy. Kiddie pool or sprinker for toddlers???

 

[Fairy Mom]

I'm a very good bargin hunter, so I am liking all the replies so far. thank you. Books are a great idea. trains too. Any other ideas are greatly appreciated. I will go to Target in the morning and check out the clearance too.

 

[englishteacha]

My nephews got colorful balls from us for their 1st birthdays, as well as a good book or two. What 1 year old doesn't like to roll and bounce a ball?? Yeah, it was $2...and it was their favorite present! (they're now 6 and 4)

 

[Folklore]

My son's first birthday is in a couple of weeks and from a mom's perspective I would say books would be wonderful or any outdoor toy for summer. I know at our house we are on toy overload from Christmas.

 

[Donnainnj]

On the books. Board books are good for this age, and if you go to Costco they have great prices on them. They change them pretty frequently, but over Christmas they had 4 packs of smaller Dr Suess, and like books for $7.99. My little guy loves them. If you want regular books for Mom and Dad to handle they always have nice ones at Kohls for $5 each and they benefit charity. (also have matching toys available for the same price).
Have fun.
Donna

 

[squirrel]

Toys with balls.

I have one that looks like a Gumball machine-the kids love it. It's made by Parents and there are 3 ways to make the balls fall down. I have also seen one that you take a hammer and hit the ball down into the toy and watch it roll. The children like playing with this at drop-in.

Even older children 3-4 like to play with these.

 

[dapookie09]

Barnes and Noble has really cute packs of board books It's the First Library series and each theme pack has twelve small square books. Online (and in stores too, I think) they are $10.

Here are some of the themes:

In Stock Online:
Disney Princess
Sesame Street
Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Disney/Pixar Cars

Out of Stock Online (maybe available in stores?)
Pooh
Pixar (Toy Story, Nemo, Incredibles, etc. all in one pack)


Also Dollar Tree has mini Elmo board books. They are in two packs for a dollar and there are about 4 different packs available. I gave them as part of a Christmas gift for my best friend's 18 month old and they were her absolute fav part of the gift!

 

[labdogs42]

If you want to get a bunch of books for your $25, go to www.sortfloorbooks.com Search for board books and I bet you'll find some great titles. They sell overstocks from places like Scholastic and they books are in new condition (they usually have a mark over the UPC code, but that's no big deal to me). It can be a weird site to navigate, but I usually open Amazon in another tab to look up titles or ideas, then check to see if sort floor has it. I think books are a great idea!

Another idea is a tableware set. LIke those divided plates, a bowl and cup set or some sippy or straw cups. Those start to come in really handy right around baby's first birthday.

 

[unlimiteddisney]

Honestly if they have a six year old, toys are probably not what they need. Books are a great idea. What I do for a first birthday is a savings bond. Children don't need much at age 1, especially if they have older siblings. Good luck

 

[Andreas Mom]

ok im going to go against the grain here....my vote would be for clothes. My kids always need something and for some clothes are so fun to shop for....especially if they dont have kids yet.

if you are close enough to the mom I would ask.....is there anything the child NEEDS or what would you like for them. I'm not trying to start an argument or get flamed but I really appreciate being asked. One is a bit young for any issues but there are certain toys that my 4 year old is not allowed to play with and I think by just asking you would know for sure your gift will get used.

I know a gift is just that a gift and I would never complain about any but I will say there have been a few gifts that dont get used at our house and if you can a simple call to ask would solve all that.

 

[mybestieismickey]

I was reading an old Real Simple last night and there was an article where one doctor suggested giving a box of tissues to a one year old. She says, "It teaches great fine motor skills and you can work on words like "In," "Out," "All Done," and "More.""

Combine it with maybe a book, and it sounds like a great present to me. And tissues are big enough that it wouldn't be too hard to clean up. Just stick them back in the box and play again.

 

[jaleaton]

Books sound like a wonderful idea. My baby is 6 months old, and she LOVES books. Target has a lot of books in their dollar spot. They have board books, and regular ones. We teach her to treat books with respect, but I'd be a whole lot less upset if she accidentally ruined a book that was only $1 compared to the cost of books from a bookstore.

 

[Samar]

How about a walker/ride on thing? I have bought one for my DD's upcoming first b-day and it was about $17 at WalMart.

 

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

You can get a $50 Savings Bond for $25. I have two lil ones and I always like when family give savings bonds because they have a million toys and clothes so this is just a lil something that I know will be there for them when they are older. DS4 already has over $2000, They add up quick.
You will need the baby's SSN and I would go a few weeks in advance if you could so you have the actual bond to give at the party. If you cant they will give you a certificate saying it is on its way.

 

[jessica52877]

You can get a $50 Savings Bond for $25. I have two lil ones and I always like when family give savings bonds because they have a million toys and clothes so this is just a lil something that I know will be there for them when they are older. DS4 already has over $2000, They add up quick.
You will need the baby's SSN and I would go a few weeks in advance if you could so you have the actual bond to give at the party. If you cant they will give you a certificate saying it is on its way.

I was coming to say this and quickly flipped through to see if I saw anyone else mention it. My son's birthday is 2 days after Christmas but I always feel like we are on toy overload by then and clothes wise he doesn't much time to wear warmer items yet the summer items aren't usually out yet.

 

[RangerPooh]

I agree with the toys, while they are great most parents are usually on toy overlaod with multiple kids and so soon after Christmas. Books are nice, and I agree about inexpensive board books that are ok if they are destroyed. Clothing is another option. Something for this spring/summer (size 18 months is reasonable unless he's a tall little guy, then 24). A cute outfit with sandals and a hat.

Other options are sand toys for summer, bucket, shovel
Large bouncy balls
ride on toys for outside
toddler appropriate/cute sprinkler
If they live near a zoo you could consider purchasing tickets for the family to visit, as baby should be free.