To not buy my baby a first birthday present?

[baxtersm]

Baby boy is coming one at the start of April and I'm really thinking of not buying him a present this year. He's my fourth baby and I've just realised over the years that the amount of plastic tat they get is ridiculous and unnecessary. And they don't play with half of it anyway, give him a remote control or a mobile phone and he's happy! My mum says I'm being a bit mean and that he needs a present but I don't want to buy just for the sake of it, he won't have a clue. Obviously when he's old enough to know it's his birthday it'll be different.

Babies do benefit from toys though don’t they?! My babies learned how to push buttons using toys fairly early on, also cause and effect with wobble toys and they liked shape sorters and building towers with blocks.

There is also a lot to be said for role modelling generosity and kindness to your older children.

Giving a gift is a lovely thing to do and who knows, it could be that one ‘special’ gift they hang onto for many years like their favourite teddy etc.

Each to their own but anyone who can afford to buy a small gift for their child on their first ever birthday and doesn’t bother in my book is just outrageously mean spirited!

How when he’s older and asks what he got for his first birthday what are you doing to tell him?
Mine are only 5 and 7 now and I can't remember what we got them for their first birthdays or even if we got anything at all. I know they got lots of presents from other family and I could tell you what cakes I made for all their birthdays. But actual presents? They'll get plenty of those. No harm at all in not getting one yourself.

The voice of reason thank you.

Never ever have mine asked either, apart from my little girl as I said earlier and that was just cos we were chatting about baby turning one. She was not one bit concerned that I couldn't remember.

I’ve never said this on here before, but why even ask? What’s the point. Just do or don’t.

Stick £50 in a premium
Bond for him. He could become a millionaire or at least can enjoy a pint on you when he turns 18!

The voice of reason who is also effectively suggesting you buy a present. Clothes or something useful. Seems weird to not want to get anything, clearly it doesn’t have to be plastic tat or something else you don’t need

Yes it's a really nice wee thing. Actually got my dad one too! He was an English teacher and really in to literature and I got him a really lovely one for all his special books or paperwork. Someone on Etsy made them and you had to list a bunch of things the person liked and the Etsy person make made such an effort to incorporate it all on the stamp. It's actually awesome and my dad bloody loved it!

The gifts at young ages are really for the parents peace of mind. You don't have to get him anything as like you said he doesn't know. And yep we are all full with plastic toys that don't get used., and even non plastic is still manufactured and creates waste..

I'm planning on picking up something second hand for our DD birthday and Christmas. It's not even about expense, just mindful of waste really!

I got mine a personalised book with the names of our family and friends used throughout the story, that I could read to them at bedtimes. They are 8 and 6 now and still have them and treasure them.

You don't need to buy a present. So what if he asks 'what did you get me for my first birthday?' And you reply 'nothing! We just baked a cake and had a little party at home'
Is that traumatising or something?

Mine are mostly adults now and have never asked me what I bought them for their first birthday. If they did I'd say "Dunno, can't remember that far back as I'm well old now. Toys."

I don't think I did. People are so weird about getting their kids materialistic stuff when they don't even want or need it (let alone too young to even understand!). Some of my playgroup mums were all obsessed over what to get their 5 month babies for Xmas, it was ridiculous

Well, of course he won’t remember or understand, but I would still feel that not giving him a gift is mean! Agree with other posters, not sure why a present has to be ‘plastic tat’? Get him something he’ll use and you like!

He'll never know the difference. Save the planet.

If you have time and energy, wrap a few things you already have. Have you clothes stashed in the next size? A ball is a good gift at any stage. Or even a toy they already have. It's nice for other kids and is a small effort. My kids love a balloon. And there's no way I'm buying keepsakes or wasting storage space on them.

Cold.

You chose to have a fourth kid, so treat him as you did the others. This really needs to be said?

Bath toy? They get grubby.

Wrap his clothes and a build a bear.
Any other toys you have that could do with replacing?

You are suggesting steiff teddies and coins as appropriate gifts for a one year old; yet I’m the weirdo 😂

Yes clearly you don't understand what a keepsake is..

That ship has sailed after having multiple children!

No if he has enough toys just give him love it's all he needs.

I clearly do. I just don’t think any functioning human adult is going to look back lovingly on a teddy or a coin from the royal flipping mint that they were bought before they understood the concept of a keepsake, or even a gift. It’s buying gifts for gifts sake.

Can you honestly imagine an adult male being excited about a teddy bear? 😂😂😂