Name: ICHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-05T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-07T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Bourbonnais, IL

Tagged: baby, gift ideas, toys

This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 2 months ago by Lesley Letson.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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February 24, 2011 at 12:10 am
MamaSnow
Participant
Okay, you all had some great ideas for gifts back at Christmas time, so maybe you can help me brainstorm some ideas for our baby who is turning 1 in a couple weeks. I have NO ideas for her. NONE! (Other than books…but our kids always get a book or 2 for birthdays, that’s just a given.) This is kiddo number 3 so between the other 2 we already have about all the baby/toddler toys that we care to have. We don’t like noisy, battery operated toys…we prefer things that foster creativity and open-ended play. Ideally, I’d like something that Baby Girl will enjoy now, but will continue to enjoy for years to come – or something that all 3 of the kiddos could enjoy together. And it can’t be anything particularly large or heavy because it will eventually be shipped overseas.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jen
February 24, 2011 at 1:26 am
amama5
Participant
My personal opinion is that they won’t notice if they get a present or not, and if the sibilings feel that the baby is left out they can make her cards/gifts, etc.
A great website though to help with age appropriate gifts is http://www.fatbraintoys.com. You can look at charts on there for gifts by age and gender, so look up 1 yr old girl. They have wonderful gifts, educational toys that my children have really enjoyed. They are also ranked in order by favorites and you can read reviews. I give grandparents ideas from here for every birthday! Have fun enjoying your 1 yr old, it just keeps getting better each year doesn’t it? Adrienne
February 24, 2011 at 3:06 am
blue j
Participant
Hey Jen,
What about getting some of the oversized silks that are suitable for using for tent play or dress-up. At his stage this type of item could be a “lovey” type item (especially good for the very tactile child) as well as playing peek-a-boo/ where is baby, etc. You could even do a mini version of a parachute where you and the other children lift and lower over your little one or toss a mini beach ball in the air with it.
You could buy a classical CD for children. This will grow with them. Get one that is especially made for bed time, play time, etc.
There are some of the very heavy cardboard block available that are oversized so children can make houses with them but can be unfolded to lie flat for shipping. These are great BIG building as well as simply stacking a few and knocking them over.
Hoping you find just what you’re looking for,
~jacqleene
February 24, 2011 at 1:26 pm
MamaSnow
Participant
THanks for the ideas ladies (and if anyone else has any, keep ’em coming)! I can hardly believe that Baby Girl is turning 1 already – it seems with each successive child that first year flies by even faster. Adrienne – I do agree that in general a baby isn’t really going to care much about presents, and we lean towards simplicity and minimalism with toys in general. When I asked dh if he had any ideas, he suggested just wrapping up some empty boxes because that’s what’s going to be the most fun for her anyhow! LOL! (Although he DOES have a point there…) But, that doesn’t stop the grandmas from wanting ideas…and if the grandmas really want to get something I’d rather it be something that will be worth it to take with us when we go back overseas, rather than just have to get rid of it.
Jen
February 24, 2011 at 2:40 pm
csmamma
Participant
My youngest loved his own photo album when he turned 1. I know there are pre-made ones for babies and toddlers that have a spot to slip photos in. However, we created our own out of a cheap little album & included photos of baby, mommy, daddy, brothers, pets, grandma & grandpa, our home etc – all those things he loved. I made sure to have extra copies of the pics incase he ripped them on accident – however he treasured it with much TLC. Just an idea! 🙂
February 24, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Lesley Letson
Participant
I agree that when they are very young they don’t really understand the concept, but turing 1 is a special time (whether baby knows it or not!). I am trying to remember some of the things that we did for 1st and 2nd bdays – I know for all of our boys we bought them lifetime hunting licenses when they were under 2 and that was a big 1st present – while they have no use for them now, they are extremely cheap and they will thank us later 🙂 I know another thing we got them for either bday or Christmas around that age was nice toddler sized silverware with animals on them – they were well into feeding themselves and they still love their animal spoons and forks. That also would be a good time to pass down anything special from a parent or sibling. So I guess what I am thinking, is that if you have plenty of toys with her being #3, maybe try to think of something sentimental that she might not appreciate now, but will later.