If I was giving YOUR 1 year old a non-clutter present...

[CalmingRoseQuartz]

...what would you genuinely welcome?

Friend's son imminently turning 1.

Parents very keen to limit 'stuff'.

I'd like to have given an activity/ subscription/ membership type of present, but budget can only stretch to £15 max so not really doable.

Any inspiration for alternatives?

[NordVeg]

I've sent my friend's kids (age 4 & 7) subscriptions to these for their birthdays the last couple of years - went down well apparently

www.mudandbloom.com/subscribe

[Dailywalk]

Premium bonds? Not sure if there’s a minimum amount though.

[PennyWus]

Haven't read all the replies, but someone on another thread recommended a personalised, reusable happy birthday banner from Etsy. I thought that was a fabulous 1st birthday gift, as can be used every year.

[Cotswoldmama]

I love the soft play voucher idea. I hate it when people buy my boys books. We have sooooo many it's ridiculous. And we often make trips to the library. So I would say books are a no.

[Foolishnessismyfavouriteword]

I sometimes buy a voucher for a local ice cream parlour (hopefully you have a good one near you)

[PrimeraVez]

Wellies and a little umbrella
Swimming bag
Hooded towel for swimming
Nice water cup, snack pot, lunch box etc

[MyMabel]

A gift card towards a day out at the local aquarium/zoo/farm park?

[Pics]

Pair of helium balloons. Great fin for a week then gone ....

[CalmingRoseQuartz]

@HelenaJustina,



And thanks for the idea!

[HelenaJustina]

@CalmingRoseQuartz Yes! ‘Winning’ this thread might be the best thing I achieve today. I know it wasn’t really a competition…

[MaverickDanger]

Perfect choices. I’m probably going to mentally add them to a list in case I get asked for Christmas for DS!

[Thirtyrock39]

Definitely an activity or voucher rather than an item. Trip to a farm park or similar . Even books are 'stuff' that will take up space and most one year olds will have books already .

[MrsPnut]

The clarkes voucher is very sensible.

I did come on to suggest these, www.amazon.co.uk/Rivadossi-Puppets-Childrens-Cutlery-Orange/dp/B003IU5H84?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

We have bought them for a lot of young children and our daughter has hers in her scouting kit 15 years on.

[Mrsacemay]

They sound like great choices OP. As someone who hates clutter I'd be very happy with that gift.

[CalmingRoseQuartz]

Thanks for everyone's input and creative inspiration.

I've noted down a lot for future use, esp with Xmas looming!

(Special shoutout for those suggesting the Whirli toy share/exchange scheme: hadn't heard of that, which I imagine would appeal to a lot of families with eco, non 'stuff' inclinations.

In this case, didn't want to incur any return postage costs for the parents, but will definitely bear Whirli in mind for when I'm next giving a bigger budget subscription gift to kids).

Did consider a really nice sensory book, but early-years teacher Mum and charity shop scourer Granny massively have his book collection already covered...

I've gone for an e-voucher towards first Clarks shoes (dead practical! And it jogged my memory that they'd been discussing getting his feet measured there etc.)

Plus a skin-friendly 'Rainbow Robot' bath fizzer (which will give HIM a bit of fun and be used up instantly, so technically not 'stuff').

[careerchangeperhaps]

Book token.

[MissCruellaDeVil]

Picture books!

[yaboreme]

Duplo Lego
Wooden jigsaws (the one with little handles)
Bubble machine
Coloured paper/ stamps/ crayons
Easel (IKEA) & chalk

[Popfan]

Pajamas... you can get personalised ones too. A friend of mine gave my DS some once, I loved them!

[Bunnycat101]

I like the day out idea but here are some ideas that have been brilliant for my toddlers and don’t take up a lot of space:

• busy board
  
• water drawing - galt to some travel ones which I take everywhere in the changing bag
  
• bath toys
  Bubbles
  Stickers
  
  Don’t get shoes/wellies - sizes/ time they start walking will vary so much

[ichundich]

Voucher for a pottery place / soft play
Music CD
Books
Ball
Schleich animals
Lego Duplo
Clothes

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Ask them. I know some people hate being asked but I always find it useful to direct people to things so they aren't duplicated. So I might say to X they need an umbrella, or Y they need a dressing gown, or Z a board game... a few people used to always send Amazon vouchers which would add up to a big thing like a swing set or a trampoline etc.

[Hydrate]

@CalmingRoseQuartz , these personalized name puzzles look great, and are in your budget too. They won awards for their puzzles. You help choose the style and colours too. www.tinyme.co.uk/personalised-name-puzzle-choose-design?PPBANNER=1

[BertieBotts]

And if books, spend some time in a bookshop and choose nice ones. Not just book shaped objects that tie into some crap TV series.

[degsydoodoos]

For a 1 year old, I'd either go with clothes / pyjamas, a gift voucher, or money in a card so that the parents can decide to either buy something for the child or save it for them.