Single parent, help me with ideas for DS’s birthday?

[Lonal]

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything and don’t seem to have a moment to myself. DS is almost one, I wondered if anyone minded sharing good ideas for his birthday? What to do and what gift? I know he’s only one but I’d like to mark the occasion and feel quite lonely doing it myself!

Are they walking yet? I bought mine one of them walkers that they push along and it sings songs and the alphabet and numbers. She loved it, although about 4 weeks later she was walking properly 🤣.

She still plays with it though and runs round mad with it.

We also bought a few books and I made a cake. That was it really.

I asked family and friends to all buy clothes and pretty much got a whole summer wardrobe for her which was great.

If you have the funds what about a season ticket for a local attraction, (farm, soft play, etc) - at least then you can use it for a full year - and still have somewhere to go and have fun in the weeks where money may be tight.

my DS was gifted an aquarium season ticket for his first birthday and it was so handy on those rainy wet days where I didnt want to go to the park - but couldn’t afford the local soft play!

A wooden kitchen is a really long lasting present if you have the money + space. It doubles as toy storage. From little they pull themselves up, bang + pull stuff out, fetch you fake food + plates. My boys spent hours playing in theirs, it was a huge draw for any visiting child.
An indoor plastic ride on was super popular with my boys. Buttons, seat that lifts up, sometimes a walker too. Sainsburys have one in their toy sale.
If you have a garden, a little tykes cosy coupe is every kids dream.
A huge bucket of megablocks or duplo is great.
2nd hand can be a great option for this age. At this time of year as people with older kids make space. I've seen 2 wooden kitchens on a local mum's freebie site this morning alone!

I made my own balloon arch for my little ones first birthday for some good photos! Got from Amazon for like £15 for over 100 balloons.
Present wise I also agree with a play kitchen! We got one for ours as friends have told us they play with it for a good 5 years plus so it’s a good investment! Ikea does one, and Facebook market place do some fantastic second hand ones! You can even glow it up with some Pinterest ideas on them to personalise it!
zoo or aquarium visits are always nice!

The best thing you can do in my opinion is to invite friends and family round for a tea party. It will mean the world seeing everyone celebrate. You can do it on a budget - you basically need cake and balloons.

People are most definitely more important than presents, especially at 1 year old!