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.

I didn't for my first and only. I knew she be spoilt by everyone else...I got her a balloon and we put money into her saving account

We may have bought a present for the first birthday but if we did don't remember what it was maybe books but don't think our child would remember

So if I can think of something I would have bought something but if not no

We didn’t buy anything for our daughters first birthday - we did have a cake :)

We also only ever bought small birthday gifts until around the age of 4, then often practical things she needed - example designer trainers are a present not an everyday occurrence.

She’s 20 now and isn’t scarred or feels unloved by the lack of a 1st birthday present. But then she not a selfish child one year she got a Polly pocket car in her Christmas stocking and thought that was her main Christmas present - which to her was the best present EVER. She has a grown into a very grateful unspoiled young adult now.

Does it have to be plastic though? I agree with PP saying at this age gifts are a bit meaningless, but you can get him something he needs and wrap it, and then do something that would stay for a long time and could be looked at when he's older. Could be a video with his pictures or a collage of them that you can print out and frame.

You're right he won't know difference. Maybe wrap something you'd get anyway so you don't look mean to those who care!

”ignorant and nasty”

”weirdo”

”sexist and ageist”

Maybe the internet is not the place for you if you are this easily offended?

I get your logic but agree with others tgat siblings may question why he didn’t get a present. My daughter really engages with her toys so I’ve got her one toy (her 1st birthday is Monday) and got her some books as she loves books. That’s it. Some clothes and some books are always good options if you don’t want to get toys.

It is a lot of tat for the sake of it. We went with a trike in the end (needed anyway), a cake and some books of their own.

Calling you out on what you are doesn't mean I'm offended. Sorry to disappoint! 😂

A pps suggestion of premium bonds is good too, Op!

Again - I’m a “weirdo” because I think spending £50+ on a teddy bear for a child’s first birthday is ridiculous?

I’m “ignorant and nasty” because I pointed out that “your experience” doesn’t make mine “wrong”?

I’m “sexist and ageist” for pointing out that OP’s 11 month old son is presumably going to grow into an adult male?

Is this correct?

Buying a teddy for a child and then immediately taking it away for 'safekeeping' is much worse than not buying a present.

The baby won't care, but what an awful message it would send to your other kids

Help the other kids to choose presents for the baby (it'll all be plastic tat) and you buy the baby a new plate/cup set or new clothes or new bath toys or an annual pass for the local farm.

Don't let your other kids think it's ok to ignore the baby just because "the baby won't remember"

Don’t be ignorant, nasty, sexist, ageist and a weirdo! 😂

@KievsOutTheOven stop it! That made me laugh out loud 😂😂😂

Nobody is suggesting they completely ignore the baby. This is getting more and more ridiculous.

They are suggesting materialistic gifts might not be needed.

Get baby a card, a balloon, a cake, go for a nice day out and take some pics.

Buy him a nice picture book and write a loving message on the inside of the cover. £5, job done.

Realistically they're likely to get so much from friends/ family etc that I'll be doing the same for our ds on his first bday. We'll buy him something we would have been buying anyways and then the money we would have spent we will put in his bank account. He won't know any different, there will be lots to open and it helps us manage our limited space.

Buy a book. You can never have enough really! I generally agree though at that age buying stuff for the sake of it is silly. Books are awesome though so completely justified