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?

[Nowisthemonthofmaying]

This overall is hands down the best thing I got for my one year old - great for eating or crafts, really good quality and will last her for a while.

Lift flap books are also great as a pp suggested, particularly the ones with felt flaps rather than card ones, better for little fingers and not so easy to rip off!

[Ylvamoon]

I second bath foam and paints or some clothes.

[Pokhora]

The colouring books you use a water pen with are good for a mess free home.

[Luhou]

Book with lots of different books in it. My daughter is 1 at the end of the month...she has loads of soft toys so would avoid these. Childs farm bath products and bubbles are nice as a little extra gift.

Pyjamas in the right size also a good shout as babygrows start to fit funny once they're moving around.

[JaninaDuszejko]

Kids and clutter come together really. Duplo is nice and has a good resale value when they grow out of it. If the parents aren't keen on clutter ask for ideas or give money. Or give some 'vouchers' for you to babysit so the parents can go out.

[gogohm]

Book, crayons, craft materials? Ask if they are collecting a specific toy eg we did brio and get a piece for it

[JaninaDuszejko]

If not I'd go for clothes.

For a first child that's probably fine but DD2 had 31 dresses when she was 1 between hand me downs from her big sister and presents (e.g. DSis gave her 3 dresses for her birthday 'because they were 3 for the price of 2 from Next').

[gogohm]

Oh and you can get bath paints, they paint on the bath sides and it washes off

[Ragwort]

Agree that it is best to ask for suggestions, my DS was totally uninterested in Duplo or Lego - generous gifts but they went straight to the charity shop.

And don't feel you 'have' to give a present, unless it is a nephew, neice or Godchild ... I never gave gifts to my friends' children ... my friendship is with the adult ... not the child and you are setting a bit of a precedent if you start giving presents.

[ShoppingBasket]

My ds got a lovely wooden height chart for his 1st birthday.
Maybe a toy for the garden?

[Ducksurprise]

Something brass and plastic, whilst the parents maybe minimalist, the kid isn't. And kids love clutter and tat.

[Notdoingthis]

Paint sticks

[Blurp]

Could you offer to take the child out for a few hours? Take a trip to the park and then maybe a cafe where you can buy them milk and a biscuit? Or just take them on a bus or a train and back (my mum used to do this with my kids; they LOVED it - on a train you can take a small picnic for extra excitement).

Failing that, we appreciated "usable" stuff like crafting supplies, or additions to existing toys (like extra parts for a wooden train set etc). Or maybe baking supplies, like a "bake your own cupcakes" kit?

[shouldistop]

Voucher for soft play if they have a good one nearby.
Cash.
Ask them what he needs.

[shouldistop]

Could you offer to take the child out for a few hours? Take a trip to the park and then maybe a cafe where you can buy them milk and a biscuit? Or just take them on a bus or a train and back (my mum used to do this with my kids; they LOVED it - on a train you can take a small picnic for extra excitement).

It's a baby though. Agree for an older child this would be good.

[Blurp]

@Ducksurprise

Something brass and plastic, whilst the parents maybe minimalist, the kid isn't. And kids love clutter and tat.

I disagree. My kids don't function well if there's a lot of clutter. They have a few toys they enjoy, and if there's a ton of other stuff they get overwhelmed by it and don't really play with anything.

[MyCatHatesWhiskas]

If you have a local pottery painting place where you can do hand and foot prints, a voucher for there would be nice - they can make a keepsake for themselves (like a Christmas tree bauble) or something for a family member.

[JuneOsborne]

A terramundi. Then you can give £2 coins upto any value for Christmas presents and birthdays in future. If you do that, by the time it's full, it'll have a few hundred quid in it!

[Blurp]

@shouldistop

Could you offer to take the child out for a few hours? Take a trip to the park and then maybe a cafe where you can buy them milk and a biscuit? Or just take them on a bus or a train and back (my mum used to do this with my kids; they LOVED it - on a train you can take a small picnic for extra excitement).

It's a baby though. Agree for an older child this would be good.

Yes, it'll depend how well the OP knows the child. I was just throwing an idea into the mix!

[rrhuth]

I agree a voucher for a local experience or make a voucher e.g. 'trip to park and I will provide a picnic'

[rrhuth]

kids love clutter and tat

Not all kids love clutter and tat. There is no one way to live life. Many people are very happy with fewer, better possessions.

[FusionChefGeoff]

Soft play and cake voucher definitely!!!

[luckylavender]

Books

[choosername1234]

Bath crayons
Toddler cutlery
Nice plate & bowl set
Lift the flap book
Bath toys

[Vindo]

Just give them a voucher. I was given ones for Boots and Waterstones which were great.