Unique 1st birthday gift for boy??

[IvyandLace]

I posted back in January 2010 for gift ideas for my niece's first birthday, and you all did not disappoint! I ended up buying a beautiful jewelry box that I personalized with niece's name and added a small piece of jewelry for her to wear when she gets a little bigger. Now...it's my nephew's turn for his 1st BD! This is the son of my older sister who has grown children...thus, she is very low-key and does not like nephew to have a lot of electronic toys. She and her husband prefer nephew to enjoy toys that are more basic/classic. Nephew is PURE boy...all action and does not like books/music like niece does.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Obviously, I want to get nephew something unique...something that he can use for awhile.

Thanks! Aunt IVY

 

[THERESA522]

Lenox has an adorable birthday train that you can start for his 1st bday, but I don't know if that's too expensive...you can usually find each bday car for each year on ebay cheaper.

 

[CTdiznymom]

I did the b'day train for my niece (Goddaughter) each year. She loved receiving them even as she got older. It is now complete, and very cute. I'm glad it ended though as it was getting a bit pricey.

 

[TaraPA]

It's not something he can use, but how about a share of Disney stock? They sell them with frames & mats (and all the bells & whistles) and are a unique gift!

 

[patchchild]

Hands down, the best gift for my son at that age was a radio flyer walker wagon. He's three now and still plays with it daily.

Radio Flyer Walker Wagon

 

[Evi]

I don't know if this is something you could get your family together to do but when my last niece was born we got together and everyone contributed $50 dollars towards a baby nest egg we called it. In total we raised about $1000 It was then put into a 7 year cd. We all decided that we will continue to contribute $50 every year and buy her another cd for Christmas untill she turns 18. Then it will all be put into a trust for her that she can use as she wills when she turns 21. I don't remember exactly how it pans out but her dad is an accountant and he came up with the whole plan and it sounds good. Considering all the other junk I'd probably buy her instead of investing it I like knowing its money she will have when shes older and needs it. You could do this with a much smaller buy in but then you get a lower interest-rate.

 

[ltl engine]

When my son was born someone got him a little wooden step stool with his name in a puzzle. He has played with it from knocking it over to doing the puzzle and uses it as a step stool almost daily. Its 8 yrs old and still in great condition. Its in great primary colors so we could learn colors, letters, etc. I recommend this as a gift to everyone. Good Luck!!

 

[maggiew]

I got my nephew one of these personalized birthday candles for his 1st birthday. It is the kind that you burn each year on your birthday.
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...nalized+birthday+candle&um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch:1

My girls made him a celebration plate that he can use each year on his birthday.
It looks kind of like this:
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...=birthday+plate&um=1&hl=en&ndsp=21&tbs=isch:1

I bought the kit at Michael's Craft store with a 40% off coupon.
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...e&start=42&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&ndsp=21&tbs=isch:1

Maggie

 

[RetroMom]

I highly recommend the Radio Flyer Walker Wagon also! I bought it for my nephew's 1st birthday and it is one of his favorites!

I was also thinking about what you bought your niece. What about a nice wooden toy box, in a style that could be considered a blanket chest or something as your nephew gets older? Maybe you could have his initials carved on the back or something.

 

[ctrcar]

There are a couple of different places where you can get a personalized music CD made. We have two different ones for each of our boys and they loved listening to them from about age 1 when they received them through the age of 6 or so.

 

[braylan]

This is perfect!! I need one for a party coming up too. Thanks!

 

[3boymthr]

Presents that I received when my kids were very little that had staying power:

if you are crafty or have a DH who is handy - Set of hand made blocks - These were a gift from my DB who cut the wood and sanded them himself - just different sizes of squares and rectangles - both personal and practical. He said it took him a couple of hours to make them. He made the blocks using organic woods that were safe to chew and used different pieces of scrap wood that he picked up that were diferent types so they had naturally contrasting coloring - walnut, pecan, zebra, etc. If you are not handy, you might be able to get a set at a craft co-op.

A Little Tikes Cozy Coupe - we got it for my oldest DS and it lasted thru three kids - about 9 years.

Thomas the Tank Engine Figure 8 Set - that has now grown to encompass an 8x10 rug in my basement.

 

[tink fan]

Brio starter train set or thomas train set (wooden tracks)

 

[v.t.]

You could get a beautiful silver tooth fairy box.

 

[java]

Blocks

These are cool
http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/item....html?oompaItem=Haba_Discovery Blocks Curioso

or personized ones like this
http://www.babygiftidea.com/cgi-bin...strated-Name-Canvas-6-styles.html?id=DKYowLYv

I used to buy those from someone that made handpainted ones on tiles. But you get the idea.
Oh I bet etsy has some

 

[sharig5576]

The best 1st bday gift my boys' got for their first bday was a duffel bag with their initials from Land's End. They got so many toys from other people that this was truly a unique gift that they will use through their college years. I use it for weekends away, visiting family, vacations. They are almost 3 and 5 now and love that they have their own personalized bag.

They got one similar to this, in size small:

http://www.landsend.com/pp/Lighthou...re&sku_0=::LAR&CM_MERCH=IDX_00005__0000000314