1st birthday toys? Quality over quantity.

[Glasscabinet]

Our house isn’t huge, storage isn’t great and all of DD toys will be stored in the living room (maybe some in her bedroom, but that’s also quite small too).

She’s already got loads of toys as both sides of the family went crazy at Christmas (a lot still not age appropriate and being stored in the attic).

We keep getting asked for suggestions for her first birthday next month and I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of wooden toys vs plastic ones.

She’s not too bothered with the electrical flashing type (a relief!) and I’m not bothered about her toys being aesthetic (love grims etc but they’re just too expensive and I know family won’t get on board). I did give some other suggestions but my mum especially believes DD is a child, therefore needs toys, any practical things should be brought by us.

Is it worth asking for small world toys? I’m thinking either Lanka Kade vs Little People. That way hopefully family can curb the amount of big stuff? I keep seeing peg people, but how often do kids really play with them? I do prefer the idea of toys being versatile/open play especially as we’re lacking on space…

How about vouchers for a shop? She doesn't need anymore toys.

Unless you want your relatives to continue to foist multiple large toys on you, you need be clear about what you'd like DD to have. If they ask, tell them what you'd like them to buy and to not worry about it not looking like much if it's more expensive, a small thing is fine and preferable as you don't have a lot of space.

Then if they ignore this, keep one of two things and sell or donate the rest. You don't have to fill your house with crap because they don't respect your wishes. Or send the things to live at their house so they can play with them when they visit.

Ask for books OP, you can never have too many books and they don't take up loads of space. That's my go to answer when asked for gift ideas for the children

My little girl has loved sticker books since she was around 18 months. She has a winter birthday so is nearly 2 now and has spent hours and hours over the last few months doing sticker books. She’s learnt loads of words from doing it too and it’s a nice thing to do together.

Do you have a garden? If so vouchers or contributions towards outdoor play would be good.

At this age I would ask people to pay for (or towards) things like annual passes to local farms or similar. Things she will be able to enjoy throughout the year.

I have similar problems OP - only child in the entire extended family. It’s incredibly generous but we have so much stuff.

We have been discussing how we manage Christmas given we know they will get 20+ gifts from family members, and yes probably some large items!

I am becoming more ruthless about recycling older items and have just done a clear out to make space.

Is it worth asking for small world toys? I’m thinking either Lanka Kade vs Little People

This opens up the pandoras box of collecting them alllllll. 😱

I found development between 1-2 crazy so id be asking for toys a 2 yr old likes to get longevity iyswim

I'd ideally aim to ask everyone for Money towards a "big thing" and rest in JISA

Top suggestions
Play house
Water and sand table
Mud kitchen

Other suggestions:
Learning tower steps - great for independence and gtting them helping
Toddler chopping set (plastic knives)
Scuttle bug
Brio trains
1 x nice quality doll (i like corolle)

I have accepted my reality and often just ask for clothes as it saves me buying them and gives relative the thrill / joy they are after.

We had similar- luckily some of the family kindly listen to direction and so we write a list with ideas that we share. We also didn’t buy a birthday or Christmas present for our own DC until they were 3 as we’d have just been adding to the overwhelm! I think sometimes being able to direct people to starting a collection can be useful- like my DM started a collection of connetix magnet tiles from 2 for my DC and gave them a box every birthday and Christmas for a number of years.
Also make sure you are ruthless about donating/selling on vinted twice a year- after their birthday and before/after Christmas and it helps keep on top of everything.
I agree too that asking for contributions to an annual pass might go down better than you think- and maybe send pics of her enjoying herself each time you go as a positive reinforcement that this is a good way to do future presents!!

We started asking for vouchers for experiences, an example would be a local outdoor play centre, day trips out or going to CBeebies land.