So DD is 1 on Jan 3rd, what can I buy her for Crimbo/Birthday

[Louboo2245]

So my Problem this year is I have DD who will be 1 so soon after Christmas, have you any ideas of toys I (family) can buy her that will grown with her?

I have thought about 'moving' her birthday to July, but everyone I know who has done this says it doesn't work.

[Sirzy]

My sons birthday is just before christmas so I tend to plan for things that he will play with later in the year as well as immediately if that makes sense.

Things like a smart trike and other outdoors bits for the summer perhaps?

[Louboo2245]

I really want to get her some outdoor stuff, but nowhere to store them. Have had a look around but there is nothing that really grabs me.

[Sirzy]

Something like a scuttlebug is pretty small and can be used indoors or out.

[blackteaplease]

little wooden trike or a walker? dd got both of those fir her 1st birthday which is christmas day.

[Louboo2245]

I'm liking the look of the scuttle bug x

[ilovesprouts]

im in the same boat my ds2 is 6 dec 1st and no idea what to get him never mind xmas .

[Louboo2245]

We were also given a lot and bought a lot second hand when I found out I was pregnant (I was a little excited) so really doesn't need much if I'm really honest, but give it another six months or so most of the toys won't be age appropriate

[Louboo2245]

I keep getting the comment 'You don't have to get her anything, she won't know!' I but I don't think that this is the point and think as her mum I should get her something.

[justabigdisco]

Also watching with interest, was going to start a thread for parents of Xmas day babies (hi joyful I remember you from the early weeks!)
My DD will be 1 on Xmas day. I was thinking of a rocking/ride on type thing for Xmas and maybe some happyland stuff for her bday which she can play with later in the year. Mothercare have some offers on at the moment.

[Louboo2245]

What age is happy land aimed at?

[BikeRunSki]

Smart Trike. Both mine got them for their first birthdays and loved them (well DD was only 1 two days ago, but it's v popular with her so far).

[justabigdisco]

louboo mothercare catalogue says 18 months plus.

[Nivet]

I'm with you, DD will be 1 this Christmas Day. I'm absolutely determined that she will have good birthdays!

She will be getting her brother's hand me down ride on, a large classic teddy, a hardback children's classic, a pull along wooden toy and a beautiful hand crocheted throw for her bedroom. She won't care at all this year

To answer your question, DS got a mini piano for his 1st which he loved, a toy vacuum cleaner that he still plays with a lot age 3 and a paddling pool filled with ball pool balls which was an absolute winner but difficult to get hold of in December.

[gallicgirl]

Happyland is 18 months up but ok for younger child. We're in similar situation but one year on.
We got DD a Happyland farm for her birthday but it was a few months before she played with it.
Popular toys were small truck with wooden bricks, ride-on or pushalong truck (try Smyths Toys) and a Leap Frog musical table.
I find the simpler toys last longest.

[TreesDogsBooks]

Watching with interest as my dd will be 1 on 4th jan. I am thinking a wheely bug for Christmas then a personalised, handmade toy chest for birthday.

[parsnipcake]

4 of my children and my dh have birthdays within 2 weeks of Christmas. We tend to do an 'experience' for their birthday and presents at Christmas, so our 1 yr old will be getting a trip to the sealifecentre and zoo, with a splurge in the gift shop. He's having a happy land London bus, some brio and a trampoline for Christmas.

[nagynolonger]

When they get a little bit older we found the 'half year' birthday worked quite well. We bought all the big stuff like bikes, swings etc in the summer. We sometimes used money given by relatives for their proper birthday.

You're bound to want to buy toys for 3rd Jan but I would try to limit what others buy. Ask for money for DC bank account or the next size clothes.

How about one of those crawl through tunnels that fold away and store behind the sofa. I think you can get bigger versions now that fit together. They are good for playing outside too.

My son is 16 on the 4th. We are taking a crowd paintballing! It was easier when we could buy a few toys in the Christmas sales.

[Louboo2245]

How did you work the half birthday? Did you have their party then? Did you explain to the people you invited? How did you pick a date?

[nagynolonger]

We took school friends to the cinema or similar on a suitable Saturday or Sunday at the end of June or begining of July. We bought them a big present. Family still celebrated on 4th Jan....we told people not to bother with cards in the summer!

[Fluffyfish]

Dd got brio train set for 1st bday (week before Christmas) and started playing with it properly a couple of months ago.

[Tidypidy]

My two dc both have birthdays near to Christmas so we tend to buy bigger things for outside like bikes for Easter instead of eggs. For my dds 1st birthday we bought her a wheely bug which is still going strong 5 years on - well worth the money. My parents bought her a Brio railway tunnel which makes noises as the trains pass through - it's one of the best presents she's ever had and is also still going strong.

[Fresh01]

We have ended up with 3 out of 4 children having birthdays between 28th Dec and 31st Jan, so been through this one a few times. Youngest is turning one this year.

We haven't done the half year birthday (actually don't know of anyone with an x-mas birthday who does) but buy things that they will grow into during the year. Many things are hidden after opening and brought out mainly between Easter and the summer as things become age appropriate.

The type of toys a nearly one year old and nearly two year old is into is very different. We got a wheely bug for DC1's 1st birthday but the are quite tricky to get the co-ordination to use till around 2. Ours have all got much more use out of sit and ride type car with the handle on the back to push round and a seat that lifts up to store stuff under.

Other ideas
Bath toys
Stacking rings - the type on a pole
Books with the textured bits in them or lift the flap.
Block cart
ELC Happy land or Fisher Price Little People (10 month old DC4 is already interested in the Little People bus and plane as if you press the drivers/pilots seat it plays a tune!)
A doll
The first type puzzles with the chunky pegs on the back of the wooden shapes
A ball
Some chunky cars or the cars you push down or pull back and they run off across the floor.
ELC CLick clack cars - a traditional wooden toy that small cars run down.

We are getting DC4 some Happyland as we don't have much of it as we had Little People instead and a new sit and ride as her big cousin broke the steering wheel on DC3's.

[HGAFC]

DS is also one on the third of Jan. He's getting a smart trike or a rocking horse. I've bought both just need to decide which is for Christmas and which is for his birthday.