Good gift for a 1 yo who already has everything?

[Sonya]

My friend's son is turning 1 this weekend. I don't know what to get. You think I would, wouldn't you? But he already has so much, thanks to big sis. He has a ride on toy, a walker, Fisher Price dump truck, etc. He's not into picture books although I might get him one. They already have Baby Einstine things. (sp!) I bought him some Peek-a-Blocks for Christmas.

Do you all have any really neat cool ideas?

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

A spring outfit, books or a Tonka Truck.

Lori

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by Sonya
My friend's son is turning 1 this weekend. I don't know what to get. You think I would, wouldn't you? But he already has so much, thanks to big sis. He has a ride on toy, a walker, Fisher Price dump truck, etc. He's not into picture books although I might get him one. They already have Baby Einstine things. (sp!) I bought him some Peek-a-Blocks for Christmas.

Do you all have any really neat cool ideas?

Since it will be spring/summer soon how about some outdoor toys? Sand toys, bubbles, balls, or gardening tools?

How about one of those toys with a hammer and you pound the shapes into the holes?

 

[GoofItUp]

When children are young enough that they don't know the difference, I ususally get them a savings bond or give their parents cash to stash away for college. Any toys you get them now won't matter in the future (or maybe even the next few minutes! ), but money for college (or another future need if they don't go to college) will be more of a long-term gift.

I still have some savings bonds that my grandparents gave me when I was young. They earn better interest right now than my savings accounts and at some point I'll probably use them to pay off my vehicle -- or maybe even my house if it ever gets down to that amount!

 

[Hillbeans]

Someone got my son a Gift Certificate to Sears Portrait studio. Parents love taking pictures of their kids, so this was the perfect gift.

 

[kaseyC]

I love to give American Express Gift checks. They can be used anywhere for anything.

 

[goodstarr]

GC to Build-a-Bear.

 

[Mishetta]

Hi Sonya ~ I too was going to suggest a Savings Bond or a gift cert for photos.

My baby's Godfather sends Savings Bonds for every occasion! I'm so thrilled! Right now he's 2 & he doesn't care what he gets, so Savings Bonds is the perfect gift!

Good luck! I'm sure you'll pick out something perfect!

 

[browneyes]

At that age, all they like to play with are empty boxes. How about a hammer/"nail" set thing? My ds loved those things.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I would get him a personalized CD or story book. There are lots of websites that sell them. You know the ones that insert the child's name in songs/stories. That way it's something just for him and also a keepsake for years to come. Let's face it, at one years old -- there really aren't that many toys he can play with.

 

[Growin'upDisney]

I love all the Leapfrog learning toys you can get at Toys R Us or Target. For a one year old I think Baby Tad is the best. He is a cute tadpole stuffed animal who talks and teaches kids about shapes and colors. I have bought this for 2 different one year olds and they each loved it.

 

[mom2boys]

Just had the toy vs. stock/bond/cash discussion with my sister in law. When my youngest (her Godson) was a baby, she would buy him a small amount of stock for Christmas/Birthday/Baptism. Now that he is older, she asks what he wants - it's always some toy. We just tossed 3 garbage bags of toys with broken/missing parts. DH was beside himself over the amount of $$$ being tossed. His portfolio is very small but it has a better return than his savings account and it won't end up in the garbage.
My aunt always sends my boys savings bonds. They are accumulating nicely also. No they won't be going to college on just the savings bonds & small stock portfolio but they might be able to buy their books.

Just be sure to put the cash/bond/stock in a box - the baby will enjoy the box more than any toy you could put in it.

 

[Kimberle]

I would get a small gift (books or something) to open, plus a savings bond.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

As a parent of 3 small kids, my vote goes for savings bonds too.
You cannot imagine the amount of toys that even a one year old can amass. I know with my kids, most of the toys are a waste. Used once or twice, then forgotten about.

We both have very generous parents and the bonds are really starting to add up. Prior to my mom's stroke, and I only had the one kid, she bought a 25.00 savings bond every week for almost 4 years. It adds up.

 

[Lewski709]

Someone got this for my DS when he turned one in Feb, I thought he had it all. He loves this thing. It plays music too. Playskool makes it. A bond is good too, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy this as a gift.

 

[Shannon G]

I agree with previous posters - a savings bond is a great gift at that age. If you really want to give something for the child to open - I'd say a small give a small book or something along withthe bond.

 

[castlegazer]

My son's favorite one year old gifts were the books believe it or not - if he's not into books now he will be shortly. My son got this fabulous book, Picture This, the pictures are beautiful and he read it every night and we took it with us everywhere - now suddenly as he is turning two he won't pick the darn thing up anymore and I miss it. I ask him every night if he wants to read it to no avail.

He also was given a wooden rocking horse that he loves but it took a few more months to really catch on. He loved the outdoor swing set and picnic table my parents gave him. They were very useful.

Another great gift he got was a beautiful wooden rocking chair from one of his uncles. It was a great gift and is sure ot be an heirloom piece for him. If you don't want to go for the cost of an heirloom piece most stores have wooden rocking chairs for $30-$40. He loves having his own chair.

Hope these suggestions help. Keep in mind that at one they are about to hit a period of development akin to the speed current scene with Crush in Finding Nemo so think above their current developmental abilities.

 

[Sonya]

Great ideas everyone! Unfortunately my friend works from time to time at a photography studio so she gets their pics for next to nothing. But the ideas for toys you gave were great! And as for the savings bond, how do I buy one of those? Go to our bank? Would I get it that day or would I have to wait? The party is this Saturday.

 

[Fire14]

I can attest to the power of a savings bond type idea. My parents started a savings acct. for each of us kids when we were born and put so much into it for bdays, Easter, Etc. When I went to college I took money in my savings acct. and paid for 2 yrs of tution at Comm. College, my books, and a down payment on a car. I still thank my parents to this day for that.

 

[maleficent1959]

I WISH someone would listen to me and give either of my sons (3 and 5 months) bonds or money for their college funds. They'll take stock -- real estate is nice too. I keep telling my parents that's what they could really use along with some small toy but my mom, especially, is out of control. At Christmas even aunts, uncles and godparents were giving multiple gifts. The amount of stuff they have between them is ridiculous. I put some away and I donate a lot.