Small presents for 1yo

[FelixFelix]

My dd will be 1 on 22nd December and I'm really struggling with ideas for birthday and Christmas presents. We have a largish present for each (wooden rocking horse chair and a trike from ELC) but I'm struggling with some little presents to go along with them. We aren't buying loads because I know she will get a lot from other people so we don't want to go OTT!

I've got her a wooden music set, and a little pair of sheepskin booties but apart from that I'm stumped.

Can anyone recommend any nice small things we can buy her? I really don't know what she will be in to in a few months time so don't want to waste money on toys she won't be interested in. Any recommendations of stuff which has gone down well with your 1yo family members?

A few Happyland figures maybe?

My DD is now 19m but her biggest hits last Christmas and birthday were books, Hairy Maclary and Dear Zoo are the favourites; a couple of soft balls she can throw and chase, one of which flashes; Tomy eggs (£4ish from amazon) a small box of mega bloks (about £5) ; a basket of plastic fruit and veg (around £4 from sainsburys).

My son was born on New Year's Day. I buy him things that I think will last the year, so may be too old for him now but he will grow into in the year as well as stuff he can use now.

Books to read at bedtime, bath toys, soft toy, clothes(!), building blocks, walker, cars, tractors, trucks, emergency vehicles, Toot Toot garage, Wow Toys, HappyLand, photo album with photos of her/her friends/favourite things/places. Annual tickets to local softplay/museum/zoo. Book with facts about the year he was born, her first clothes made into a toy, basic jigsaws, pjs, socks, toothbrush, toy phone, flashlight, her fav snacks, christmas tree decoration with name on and the year...

Not suggesting all of these, just a random brain dump!

Loads of ideas, thank you! It's hard when her birthday and Christmas are so close together as I don't want her to be growing out of stuff I've bought this Xmas then having to wait until next year for new things. I suppose I could put some money away and buy things through the year too.

Any recommendations for bath toys? I've made a Pinterest board of things I'd like to buy her so I remember stuff. Pinned some books so far but that's it

Amazon do a really good set of squirts sea animals.

Thanks I've added them to the list

Definitely mega blocks and my dd also loved her tea set from ELC from about 14 months, but it does say 3+ on the box so I took the spoons out because they're quite small and flimsy but the cups and tea pot are fine

That's funny because I actually bought her a Little Tikes wooden tea set reduced in Asda but then realised it has 3+ on the box. I wasn't sure if I should give her it or not? I can't see why it's 3+ really as it doesn't have any small parts.

My DD's birthday is the 22nd so I share your pain... My DD will be 5 this year but I've learnt to do what Llama suggests and buy toys to grow into during year or not buy much at xmas/birthday (on basis DD wont know) and put money aside to spend in 6 months.

As others have said books, bath toys, etc.. dD had a fisher price tea set at that age she loved (& still plays with) or what about a small baby doll as a toy to grow into during year?

Ooh yes a baby doll would be good. I could get a nice soft bodied one. I'll have to have a look round as most of them freak me out

I would be tempted to buy a first slide poss fairly cheap now n she can enjoy on cold dry days n will be great for summer, also sand n water tables are good all yr round n fairly cheap now.

Felix ignore the 3+ thing use own judgement it's around safety testing n covering own backside really but often 3+ stuff is cheaper than the younger version. Ds had a play tent n tunnel at 1 that said age 3+ on - no real reason why

Pens, ink stamps, playdoh?

Bath toys - the vetch singing fish seems to delight my dd still now at 2.6 - she's had it from about 1. I think it's a bit weird and annoying though. She also likes a cheap little plastic boat that came from Morrisons, and a little penguin and dolphin who came from Poundland!
Other good little gifts for a one year old are crayons/felts. My dd actually found felts easier to make marks with than crayons at this age. The Crayola beginnings range have both, and are all suitable from 12 months I think. Also pencil crayons, but they're a nightmare unless you have a big sharpener!
You could also get one of the smaller Happyland sets, maybe some people and a vehicle? My dd liked putting her Happyland figures in their car when she was one - it was all she could do at that point ( that and chew them), but still.

Things she'll be into now or very soon -

drawing!! chunky crayons and paper
finger paints
duplo
her first dolly?
v-tech singing tea set v good can be enjoyed for years
and of course always lots of books!

One of those wooden jigsaws, where you lift the pieces in and out.

Shape sorter.

Doll's buggy if she is confident on her feet.

An indoor tent/wigwam.

bath toys ducks are a must have!

Other than ducks I would suggest plastic animals and boats with no holes in less likely to go yucky in the bath!!

also second fisher Price teaset, tomy eggs, happyland, books - thats not my.. are good, dear zoo and wheres spot all pretty short and easy for them to follow! my dd at 2 cant sit still long enough for things like the gruffalo!!

Also a toy its a wooden pop up thing think its made by galt my 2 love it! !

magnetic drawing pad or aquadraw

scuttle bug - great for the Park and alternative to a ride on

or failing all that a box of pegs and a wooden spoon. . all children like those!!

doll wise I would suggest my 1st baby annabel its quite sweet and light enough for little ones and buggys most children prefer those cheap fold up umbrella ones about £5 in tesco

lovelydiscusfish - have u tried the twistables by crayola my 2 find these much easier to draw with and no sharpening! colour comes out vibrant and without the mess from felts

so sorry for the multiple posts - the reason most things are 3 + is because it costs more to do the testing for under 3's so don't think many bother as very strict restrictions and probably not worth their while profit wise

My DD is nearly 2 and the hit toys all this year have been: a cheap red plastic tea set, a toy buggy, a small basket and (in terms of most plays per day), the fabulous toy fabric fruit and veg sets from IKEA. So many happy teddy bears' fruit and veg picnics! :)

Thanks everyone

Coconut I have those pop up wooden galt things on my to-buy list! Also squeaky eggs. Will have a look at the baby doll and cheap buggy.

I say this in every one if these threads.

You dc need a bubble machine for the bath. Someone got one for dds (jan birthday) first Xmas. This will be her third and it's still used all the time

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_171001132699?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=7464328&ci_sku=7464328&ci_src=18615224&gclid=CPLiodzDrsECFQjItAodSk0AWw

Ooh Herrena I was looking at a bubble machine for her as she LOVES the one at the music class we go to. I didn't know they did one for the bath, thank you