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Christmas

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Original poster

good present for an 8 month old?

13 replies

tiredfeet · 05/12/2009 07:35

I would love some help with ideas for what to get my 8 month old nephew. We don't see him very much as he lives at the other end of the country pretty much, and I don't know much about babies (still ttc our first ). I don't really know what kind of toy would be good at that age?
My budget is about £20-£40
good suggestions about good shops to go to would also be helpful!
His parents house is quite small, so think it will need to be small and compact toy, otherwise I won't be very popular!!

OP posts:
thereistheball · 05/12/2009 08:25

They don't need much in the way of toys at that age. My daughter loved her stacking cups (available everywhere but the ELC ones are good because they have holes in the bottom so you can use them in the bath - my daughter has been playing with them for 18 months now. They were about a tenner.

Or you could get a gorgeous cuddly blanket for the colder months. I love this one from the Little White Company. They do cute little cuddly toys too, if you want to make it up to £40.

The other thing that was useful at that age was a Bumbo chair, but they are bulky and my daughter only really needed hers for a couple of months as she was up and walking by 11 months.

Good luck with TTC.

sdr · 05/12/2009 08:35

Wooden blocks are great fun - good for this age up (still used by my DS8 for building with other toys). I got them from our local toyshop, but the Early Learning Centre also sell them (call them Wooden bricks).

thereistheball's idea of stacking cups is good too - we have a great set from Ikea that are still played with in the bath.

Besom · 05/12/2009 08:35

I would ask them if I were you. If you don't know what he has already.

ELC do range of wooden shape sorters, bashing peg through bench, blocks etc which are quite good for this sort of age, or he will grow into them fairly soon anyway.

yawningmonster · 05/12/2009 08:37

we are getting dd a lovely canvas with her name on it, she didn't need much that she hadn't already inherited from ds and it is something that will last her.

IsItMeOr · 05/12/2009 09:03

We have a 9mo and I would really counsel against buying something suggested here and just ask them what sort of stage he's at, as they all develop so differently. Our ds for example ditched his bumbo at around 5mo as he could sit up perfectly with no support. He has been walking up and down the living room at increasing speed with a push-walker device for getting on for 2months now, and a cuddly blanket would not really get a look in. He does love teddies (and electric power cables ) though.

So, my advice would be either to ask, or to buy a toy for 12m+ which he will grow into if he's not able to play with it already. Small musical instruments, simple wooden puzzles or blocks all seem good options. I probably wouldn't bother spending as much as £40 on a child that young tbh, unless you want to buy some useful clothes.

borderslass · 05/12/2009 09:40

I would buy clothes but in the next size up thats what I usually do for my nephews kids.

Original poster
tiredfeet · 06/12/2009 00:05

have tried asking, wasn't given much help! think his mum (my SIL) is too polite to ask!

I know she doesn't want clothes though, i think she just likes choosing those herself, which I can understand really

I wanted to get him somehting for the 8 month - 12 month stage ,as can get him more presents for his first birthday. my parents aren't very good at spoiling him, and his other grandparents are dead , so I feel it is my responsibility to spoil him a bit (plus I love him to bits!!)

budget is up to £40, wasn't really sure how much toys cost. We got him a mobile when he was smaller and were at how much that cost, but would be happy to come in well under budget

thank you for the suggestions so far

OP posts:
Eiza · 06/12/2009 00:21

Anyhing to do with transition to solids would be a useful gift. Or baby shoes with soft soles. They hardly need any toys. I'd recommend Annabel Carmel's cooking book for the mum if you are stuck with ideas for her as well.

Ineedsomesleep · 06/12/2009 09:42

I wouldn't get a bumbo either. We were given one and DD used to arch her back and cme straight out of it.

Also, I personally wouldn't go down the route of getting a recipe book for the Mum, she may be doing BLW and she may also want something nice for herself rather than a baby related gift.

DS had this for his first birthday and both DCs have loved it toddle truck

Shape sorters are also popular and this elephant has been a good toy too.

TheHouseofMirth · 06/12/2009 09:53

There are some lovely toys here

These are great or anything in the Haba range.

borderslass · 06/12/2009 10:05

my youngest had a similar toy to this as a baby/toddler and loved it here

Ineedsomesleep · 06/12/2009 10:18

A couple of mums I know have bought, and swear by, the teething necklaces that are sold on Myriad, see TheHouseofMirth's link.

Original poster
tiredfeet · 06/12/2009 18:19

thank you! some good suggestions, helps me to not feel totally lost in the toy shop. I like the sound of the stacking cups, they look like a nice and simple present. am thinking the toddle truck thing might be good for his first birthday?

I don't think I would get a recipe books for his mum though, I can see that they might be really helpful but I think she definitely needs a present that treats her, rather than a present thats just about her being a mum. maybe get the recipe book for his dad instead

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