What should I get my one year old - if anything?

[onlyatchristmastime]

DC2 will be 14 months at Christmas and I cannot think of a single good idea for him. My older one is exactly two years older, so will be just turned three and she really understands the idea of Santa and gifts this year, so I don’t really want to not get him anything - but because of the small age gap he has the use of all of her things as well as his own, and that is a LOT of stuff - my house is positively creaking at the seams. Budget isn’t really an issue except for that I don’t want to waste money or space for the sake of it. Does anyone have any inspired ideas for one year olds that we may not already own?! TIA!

Definitely buy something. I have no idea how people run out of ideas either. I mean I have loads of ideas Ds age 2 would like. He doesn’t get most of them due to space/ and I don’t think they need ‘everything’.

books - I always get bored of the same book over and over. So by second child def would need some new ones added to old to change it up a bit

garden bits - balls, mud kitchen, sandpit, wall mounted chalk board

something to add to what you have. If you oldest already has schleich animals, brio, duplo, just get another figure or accessories to add to collection.

Thank you very much for all the suggestions.

I don’t think my unimaginative parenting is the issue - it’s more the space thing really and not wanting to buy things just for the sake of it (for example much, although obviously not all, of what the entertainer sells, would come under this heading for me). A two year old is much easier to buy for; the child I’m talking about is currently only ten months - nine months corrected, actually, and taking his time with milestones - and doesn’t have character preferences and so on yet. Me and DH both have very involved families who overbuy for them and we genuinely do have an unbelievable amount of stuff and will get more for both kids’ October birthdays and then Christmas. We’ve also invested more in DC1’s presents in the past with a view to passing them onto a younger sibling, so DS has a brilliant baby walker, scooter, balance bike etc coming his way already. I agree that the books are infinite and never a waste and they’ll definitely both be getting more books for Christmas but I just wondered if there was a ‘big’ thing for one year olds I had overlooked - it doesn’t sound like there is so I think we will go with tickets for something/an experience as his main present and then upgraded versions of things we’d buy him anyway - books, toothbrush, clothes etc - as things to open on the day. I have no doubt that their aunties and uncles and grandparents will have the toy side more than taken care of! Thanks again all

What will DS need around that time anyway? For example, if you still have a decent toddler cutlery set that DD doesn't need anymore but the plastic toddler plate is a bit worse for wear, maybe a new set of plastic plate/bowl etc but in a more boy's colour/characters. (Even if the original is still usable, it can be nice to have a spare to reduce the urgency of washing up). Sippy cup.

Christmas bib.
Red socks (if you don't want full-on Christmas ones). Hat and gloves.
Consumables for nappy bag or at home - small rash cream, fancy bath bubbles etc.

Something to add to an existing toy/set - stuffed animal, extra blocks or shaped blocks to add to plain cubes, extra car for the town etc. Even an extra bath toy/duck for shared bathtime.

Perhaps something the same but age appropriate - so DS gets a toddler sized soft ball, but DD gets a harder ball of a size suiting her. Or something to share like a sand table, slide for garden, etc.

A book of his own. You can never have too many books.

I see you have an older daughter and a DS so they likely might like different things (not garanteed but most boys wont love barbie and most girls dont adore cars etc...) im not sure of your budget but if you like the idea of wooden toys heres some suggestions:

www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/wooden-toys-and-puzzles/traditional-wooden-toys/squirrel-play-wooden-car-roll/p/166211

^ ones like this is used as part of my DS assesments as it is a learning toy

www.amazon.co.uk/Wooden-Educational-Puzzles-Children-Presents/dp/B0851FRVK5

^ my DS loves his tools, we have the smaller 'belt' version rather than the box but he is very big into role play

www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/wooden-toys-and-puzzles/traditional-wooden-toys/squirrel-play-wooden-garage/p/197707

^ my oldest DS loved his garage toy

www.my1styears.com/personalised-transporter-lorry-wooden-toy.html?glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3eeXBhD7ARIsAHjssr90HYgJaXxaOsGQeZvqcTNoKX2d3wvkxt25mLmH-QILhftEF3HmKysaAuPoEALw_wcB#fo_c=4411&fo_k=3cf68e32da572cdb7b0a158bcedc95fd&fo_s=gplauk

^ Sticking with the car theme transporters have been popular with both my DS

Also I know some say 3+ like the tool one but my 3 year old has had that for nearly 2 years and his sister who is just a few months older than you DS has been playing with it for about 5/6 months too... theres nothing dangerous about it really.

The last one says 12 months though if those age guides matter to you.

We got our little boy a scooter for his first Christmas. It's still in use now two years later. Or else a balance bike? Books, bubbles? Foamy bath soap. Clothes, new toothbrush. That kind of thing?

For the little one, what about getting something that you want for him but he won't appreciate in future years (mine will be 1 year old at christmas, 9 months corrected and I'm thinking of a beautiful personalised toy box). Also, I have the issue of a christmas eve birthday and this is probably the only year I'll get away without multiple presents.

@GingerKombucha we were actually thinking of doing the same for our twins. You can get some really nice toy box benches too. Not quite the same but similar - thinking we can probably get away with a big joint present between them only while they are so little

Duplo
Clothes
Bubble bath
Baby wipes!

Basically things they need and a couple of toys

New books, nice wooden cars or train set (ikea have both) a couple of outfits in the next size up.

had similar with my oldest two exactly 2 years apart, got harder when number three came along. For number 3 on her first birthday I spent £10 at a car boot sale so she had something to open. Christmas’ since have been the same until last year when she understood more and could ask for things. I would get things like snack boxes with frozen or paw patrol on, bath toys, clothes, cheap second hand toys just for her to open.

Set of new bath toys.
Little xylophone with attached stick.
Small set of blocks.
Little books.
A stuffed animal or doll.

You can start managing the older child's expectations around Christmas this year by giving smaller piles of gifts.
Books are always nice because they mean time together when you read to them.
A stuffed animal or doll.
A little buggy or supermarket trolley toy.

I've never yet met a small child who didn't love large cardboard boxes, if you want something with that wow factor.

Aww! This is me. When my first baby was 6 months old it was Christmas. I thought well she doesn't know anything about it so it's a waste of money to get anything. The really nice lady who worked at the Coop that I went in all the time said to me -'what have you got her for Christmas?' And I said - Nothing, she doesn't know! And the Coop lady looked really upset! So I thought O no! I am ruinning my babies first Christmas and dashed and bought her a toy with flashing lights from Mothercare! Hahaha!

My DD's birthday is 1 week before Christmas so she was just turned 1 for her 2nd Christmas. We gave her things she would grow into (play kitchen, bike, etc)
For her 1st Christmas when she was 1 week old, we got her a keepsake bauble for the tree, an 1st Christmas outfit, the night before Christmas book, a few other books, and a jellycat elf.

Ah I couldn't bear to not get them anything, they may be little dots at that age but will still feel excitement in the moment!

We have a 6 4 and 2 year old so since Christmas began for our family, have always had little ones at that time of year, and we've always quite successfully got them new bath toys.

We mirror the stockings for all of them with treats and smaller toys so that's always fun and inclusive.

I definitely would not go overboard for a 1 year old at all. A couple of books, a bath toy set, a toy kids that age have always loved like a wooden wagon full of blocks, some bubble bath and clothes and a teddy is what I would put under the tree. Then a small stocking with some treats.

A nicely wrapped box, full of scrumpled up bits of paper and other boxes.

It's all they want to play with anyway

Teddy!

I bought DS1 a jellycat cat for his first christmas.

He's nearly 13 and still sleeps with it.

Definitely books. How about things that get used up like pens, crayons, playdoh, stickers? Even if you already have some they will come in useful eventually as they don't last forever.

Clothes, PJs and socks are always good for stockings.

Tickets for a local farm, soft play centre or country park (good for both kids!)

I've heard someone suggest a box full of balloons which is inspired! Doesn't last forever or take up loads of space but has the wow factor and is great fun on the day.

Always did the box of balloons, the bigger the box the better!
Always put socks, vests, toothbrushes, bath gel, bubbles, etc in the stockings too.

For something special that will fascinate all ages have a look at Grimms wooden toys. It’s expensive but I can recommend the Rainbow - there are videos on YouTube of things you can do/build and DH still loves playing with it!

I have the rainbow on my babies Xmas list- she will be 10m

I have the rainbow on my babies Xmas list- she will be 10m

She and you will love it!!

I struggled with this too. I have two boys 20 months apart and last Christmas my youngest was just about 14 months . I was so lost for ideas . I got him an insulated water bottle as he was always taking his brothers . Some new books. A few new teddy bears because he barely had any. That’s it really . Family and friends got him tons though so he had lots more to open Christmas morning . My mom got him this and it’s still a huge hit :

www.amazon.co.uk/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Smart-Stages/dp/B086X45TLQ/ref=asc_df_B086X45TLQ?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463071720158&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16187323474317585564&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045916&hvtargid=pla-972654701683&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&dplnkId=2513e845-90f4-4f51-9706-6346f5d90747&nodl=1

This year he will be at a better age to shop for because he has more distinct likes and different interests from his brother .

Scuttlebug
ball pit
flashing ball
imagination cube

DS was 14 months his second Christmas. He really enjoyed opening his presents, so I don't think it's necessarily true that they don't care. I got stuff that he would grow into and most of it is still being used at almost 3 years.

He got:

Happyland Farm
Ride on toy
Hand puppet
Megabloks
Backpack and reins

Plus books, clothes and a stocking.

DD is going to be 10 months this year and I think I'm going to get her a walker, backpack and reins and a personalised rainbow stacker for her room (can't afford grimm's rainbow!). Then probably bath toys, clothes and books.

For her stocking I think I'm going to get a rainbow kite, toy car,socks, bubbles etc.