What to buy this child

[jingletits44]

My nephew was born last Christmas Day. SIL is understandably quite gutted about his birthday falling on Christmas Day. I would like to get him something special but can't really afford two massive gifts. And it will also need to be post-able as they aren't coming to us for Christmas this year. Can anyone offer any inspiration please?

Not a gift suggestion, but I ordered Christmas presents for my nephews last year from Amazon and paid for their gift wrap service. I think (not sure) it was £6 which included postage and packing and a gift bag. So, if you are happy to order from Amazon it might be worth looking at as not limited by weight of the gift.
I would probably go for a set of books.

Could you buy an experience type thing like membership for a local zoo, farm, etc. Something that can be enjoyed all year.

What is your budget?

One of those books where the child's name is included in the story. For example, ' Alexander's adventure with Peter Pan'.
Sorry I can't link.

I remember getting one as a baby that was a keepsake that I enjoyed as a youngster.
I still have it now 40 years later.

For the next few years you could get away with one bigger present and a second small item like a book so that there is one for birthday, one for Christmas. Do you have any other family you could club together with? Could one present be something for use in the summer, an outdoor toy and one be for use right now?

One of those push walker type things on wheels. They're not too expensive, good for the age of your nephew and big enough to count for both celebrations. My DC loved them. Attached a picture. There's one for £20 from Argos.

Could you start a half birthday tradition ? So family buy this baby half birthday presents on the 25th of June every year instead oh having to try to buy birthday and Christmas presents for the same day.

Buy him a 2 for £30 toy in Argos then in would be 2 toys they don’t have to be massive toys surely? I have 4 kids so most family don’t go over board with gifts for my kids and only get them toys of around £20 each

He's only going to be turning 1 so I imagine the whole birthday/christmas thing will pass over his head. I think buying one lovely gift this year is fine considering his age if you can't afford 2. Just let your SIL know that you won't do joint birthday/xmas presents for him going forward, but as this year you wanted to spend a bit extra and he'll be none the wiser that should be fine.

You could start a little tradition of a book for Christmas and a toy for birthday - I love the b by battat range of toys which you can get on amazon. And there are some great bargain books on 66books or that pop up reduced on amazon (jolly postman is £8 right now and £7 for the Christmas pine)

A relative bought my son a reindeer plate with his name on to leave food out for Father Christmas. Can't imagine it was very expensive but it's lovely. Then buy a usual present on top for the birthday. He's too little at one to understand tbh.

Do you have other nieces or nephews? What do you normally do for their birthdays? Don't just buy one present as others had suggested, you wouldn't do that to a child born any other time of year.

Personally I'd think his birthday is more of a big deal, so I'd probably buy him something nice for birthday e.g. a board book set, puzzle game, plate and bowl set type thing for example, then something smaller for Christmas, such as a lovely bauble he can keep.

Please do not do a joint Christmas and birthday present. My birthday is a close December and I hate people using it as an excuse

Totally depends on your budget. I would spend £100 on a first birthday for a siblings child but if that is too much maybe a main present for the birthday and stocking filler type stuff for Xmas. Works have an offer for 2 for £10 on gifts and I bought two sets of board books for my baby, the kind titled shapes, animals etc. That could be quite nice for xmas as they come in a boxed set. For the birthday you could get a trike or a balance bike for around £30. The little tikes cars are great if they have the space, in the black friday sale you could get one for around £35. It's worth looking around to see where you can get the beat deal. The walker someone linked above is great and a reasonable price. What about an activity table you can get one for about £25 and they are fab for keeping kids busy.

Definitely buy him 2 presents I appreciate he's only 1 and won't know it's either Christmas or his birthday but he should be treated as he would be if he were born any other day and you absolutely should start as you mean to go on.

Amazon do a gift wrapping service which would be helpful and size wise it wouldn't matter if you ordered something bigger as it could be delivered to their house rather than yours and then posted.

I'd recommend getting him some books and a nice tree ornament with his name on for Christmas and some toys and or clothes for his birthday. At that age musical instruments are normally a big hit.

Although personally I'd be thinking of getting him something to grow into as it's a long gap before he gets another pile of gifts so maybe a balance bike or a scuttle bug he could enjoy in the summer months.

Thanks guys some really great suggestions.

I have ordered him a cute little personalised tree decoration and will get him a larger gift for his birthday present. Useful to know that I can order/gift wrap through Amazon. I didn't think of that.